Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to better understand clients’ experiences of the postlude discussion phase in Guided Imagery and Music (GIM). Individual open- ended qualitative interviews were conducted with eight GIM clients in order to gather their reflective perspectives on experiences that occurred in the postlude discussion phase. Stories were created from each participant’s descriptions and helpful and not helpful essences were extracted. A cross-case analysis revealed that these essences fell into four theme categories: (a) client-therapist relationship, (b) structure of the postlude discussion, (c) perceived impact of the music listening phase on the postlude discussion, and (d) perceived overarching impact of the postlude discussion. Implications for research, theory, practice, and training are discussed.