Contact Information

Name: Celia Im
Presenter: Celia Im, Doctorate in Musical Arts, Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory
Address: 11 Hunt Court, Middleburg, VA 20118
Phone: 703-231-6842
Fax: none
Email address: Celia@celiaim.com
2) Abstract is being submitted for consideration in the 60-minute Oral Presentation category
3) Music Evoked Imagery Can Alleviate Stress-related Symptoms and Bring the Affected Person Back
Into Mental and Physical Balance
4) Dr. Celia Im will present evidence from one year’s worth of client sessions using Music Guided
Imagery that demonstrate the client’s complete rebounding from symptoms related to a post-traumatic
stress disorder diagnosis..
5) The learning objective is to suggest to an audience of naturopathic doctors, as well as those in physical
restorative therapies, such as massage and chiropractic, that the 40-year old discipline of music-evoked
visualization is a viable method for helping the general population. It is a complementary practice to
naturopathy and holistic wellness. There will be a description of method and outcome for one particular
case of PTSD seen by Dr. Im. That diagnosis was made by a number of medical doctors, including one in
the military. The case had attendant to it many physical complaints from the patient. How that person
was helped through a severe post-traumatic stress (PTSD) episode by music guided imagery and
visualization forms the core message of Dr. Im’s presentation. There will be an explanation of the
technique and its relation to engaging the conscious mind subtly through music association for
remarkable, yet understandable results.
Presentation Outline: Describe the case of the client with PTSD; Explain how music guided imagery was
the most effective approach and what connection it provided to unlock and solve the case; Demonstrate
the music guided imagery method with a real piano, i.e. conduct a mini-group session for 15 minutes;
position Music Guided Imagery, as a practice, inside the greater realm of holistic medicine; project its
future. There is no pharmacological dimension to the Music Guided Imagery practice.
6) Dr. Celia Im, a national and international award-winning pianist, has been on the faculties of Peabody
Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University, the University of Maryland and the George Mason University.
Her degrees include a Doctorate of Musical Arts from the Peabody Conservatory and a certificate in the
Bonny Method of Guided Imagery. Her experiences on the concert stage led her to explore the power of
music to affect personal growth and direction. Her unique transformative technique applies as well to
career impasses as it does to individuals seeking personal wellness. In her work with people she
emphasizes a receptive mode of listening that encourages a calm mind and emotions, allowing a deep
connection with the physical body. Her gift to improvise as a pianist continues to underpin her ability to
communicate deep stirrings to her clients who come to her studio for grounding, guidance, connection
and inspiration.