FULL CERTIFICATION

Get a Professional Certificate of Interactive Guided ImagerySM

Covering all 10 courses the full certification dives into the heart of mind-body medicine, psychotherapy, and personal development. Learn strategies for addressing inner conflicts and resistance in your clients.

Earn an official certificate in Interactive Guided Imagery℠ at your own pace at home, with personalised coaching by our expert team.
See full certification
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Payment plans available
$3,495
USD
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Covering all 10 courses the full certification dives into the heart of mind-body medicine, psychotherapy, and personal development. Learn strategies for addressing inner conflicts and resistance in your clients.

Earn an official certificate in Interactive Guided Imagery℠ at your own pace at home, with personalised coaching by our expert team.
See full certification
arrow right
Payment plans available
$3,495
USD
learn at your own pace

or choose your own courses

FIGI

Fundamentals of Interactive Guided Imagery℠

CE Credits:
13 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
Learn about the history, how it works and the unique role of an Imagery Guide℠. Designed for nurses, psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors and coaches, we cover essential techniques for incorporating Guided Imagery into your practice.
ATS-1A

The Role of the Interactive Imagery Guide℠

CE Credits:
6.5 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
FIGI
Learn the role of an Interactive Imagery guide and the qualities of great guides that empower clients to be a part of their own healing. You'll also learn the essential similarities and differences between a "guide" and a "therapist."
ATS-1B

Advanced Work with the Inner Advisor

CE Credits:
13 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
ATS-1A
Learn about the Inner Advisor technique more deeply, and how to apply it to your practice. Learn to connect with the inner advisor, and how to confront common problems that can arise when guiding your clients.
ATS-2A

Resistance and Parts Work

CE Credits:
6.5 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
Preceptorship 1
Learn about resistance, parts, sub-personalities and ego states. These are integral to the process of an Imagery Guide. Understand how to help clients identify, understand, and reconcile inner conflicts.
ATS-2B

Parts, Polarities, and Conflict Resolution

CE Credits:
6.5 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
ATS-2A
Learn to guide your patients through when inner conflicts arise. You’ll learn how Guided Imagery techniques can be used to promote learning and change, and overcome resistance for addictions and habit control.
ATS-3A

Interactive Guided Imagery℠ with Children

CE Credits:
6.5 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
Preceptorship 2
Learn how to adapt your Guided Imagery techniques to children. We’ll teach you how to cope with developmental & behavioral issues, grief & trauma. You’ll also learn how to use Guided Imagery for anxiety with medical procedures and dealing with stress, pain and illness.
ATS-3B

Imagery with Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma

CE Credits:
6.5 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
ATS-3A
Working with survivors of childhood traumas is challenging to even the most experienced therapists. In this course, learn the special skills to support these patients through the range of struggles that child traumas produce in adult lives.
ATS-4A

Physical, Chronic & Life-Threatening Illness

CE Credits:
6.5 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
ATS-3B
Learn innovative techniques to support and heal those facing chronic and life-threatening illnesses. Learn to manage pain, navigate crises and use the power of imagery for natural healing.
ATS-4B

Death, Dying, Loss, and Transformation

CE Credits:
6.5 Hours
Pre-requisites:
None
ATS-4A
Learn how to break through the taboo of death and deal with loss. Aimed specifically at nurses, psychologists, psychotherapists, counselors and coaches.
your teachers

Learn from world-leaders in healing & medicine

Jeanne Achterberg, PhD
Jeanne Achterberg, PhD
Jeanne Achterberg is a Professor of Psychology at Saybrook Institute, a research consultant and a board member of many foundations. She also provides training in the use of mind/body therapies for health care professionals in Europe, Japan, Argentina, and to refugees in Kosova and Macedonia. She has authored over 100 papers and five books, including Imagery in Healing, Woman as Healer and Rituals of Healing. Lightning at the Gate, the story of her personal healing journey, was published in 2001. She is currently Senior editor for the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
Jeanne Achterberg is a Professor of Psychology at Saybrook Institute, a research consultant and a board member of many foundations. She also provides training in the use of mind/body therapies for health care professionals in Europe, Japan, Argentina, and to refugees in Kosova and Macedonia. She has authored over 100 papers and five books, including Imagery in Healing, Woman as Healer and Rituals of Healing. Lightning at the Gate, the story of her personal healing journey, was published in 2001. She is currently Senior editor for the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine.
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Daniel J. Benor, MD, ABHM
Daniel J. Benor, MD, ABHM
Daniel J. Benor is a wholistic psychotherapist who includes a variety of body/mind approaches, spiritual awareness, and healing in the practice of what he calls "WHEE: Wholistic Hybrid derived from EMDR and EFT." He is a founding diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine, Editor of the International Journal of Healing, author of Healing Research, Volumes I-III, Founder of the Council for Healing and Doctor-Healer Networks.
Daniel J. Benor is a wholistic psychotherapist who includes a variety of body/mind approaches, spiritual awareness, and healing in the practice of what he calls "WHEE: Wholistic Hybrid derived from EMDR and EFT." He is a founding diplomate of the American Board of Holistic Medicine, Editor of the International Journal of Healing, author of Healing Research, Volumes I-III, Founder of the Council for Healing and Doctor-Healer Networks.
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David E. Bresler, PhD, LAc
Co-founder
David E. Bresler, PhD, LAc
David Bresler is the President and Co-Founder, Academy for Guided Imagery, and Executive Director of The Bresler Center in Los Angeles. He is the former Founder and Executive Director of the UCLA Pain Control Unit and Associate Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine; Former White House Commissioner on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy; Author of Free Yourself From Pain, Break Your Smoking Habit With Guided Imagery, and numerous other books, workbooks, articles, and scientific publications. He is a curriculum advisor for The Inner Game of Volleyball.
David Bresler is the President and Co-Founder, Academy for Guided Imagery, and Executive Director of The Bresler Center in Los Angeles. He is the former Founder and Executive Director of the UCLA Pain Control Unit and Associate Clinical Professor, UCLA School of Medicine; Former White House Commissioner on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy; Author of Free Yourself From Pain, Break Your Smoking Habit With Guided Imagery, and numerous other books, workbooks, articles, and scientific publications. He is a curriculum advisor for The Inner Game of Volleyball.
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Hyla Cass, MD
Hyla Cass, MD
Hyla Cass is a board-certified psychiatrist who combines imagery and nutritional medicine in her practice, writings, lectures, and media appearances. She is a former Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine, Associate Editor of Total Health magazine, and author of numerous articles and books, including Natural Highs, 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, and Supplement Your Prescription. For more information, please visit www.drcass.com.
Hyla Cass is a board-certified psychiatrist who combines imagery and nutritional medicine in her practice, writings, lectures, and media appearances. She is a former Assistant Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at UCLA School of Medicine, Associate Editor of Total Health magazine, and author of numerous articles and books, including Natural Highs, 8 Weeks to Vibrant Health, and Supplement Your Prescription. For more information, please visit www.drcass.com.
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Effie Poy Yew Chow, PhD, RN, LAc
Effie Poy Yew Chow, PhD, RN, LAc
Effie Poy Yew Chow was appointed to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and was the recipient of the “Visionary of the Year 1997,” “The Humanitarian of the Year 1999,” and “The Visionary of the Decade 2000” Awards. Dr. Chow has been working to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine for over 40 years. Toward this goal, she founded the East West Academy of Healing Arts (EWAHA) in 1973 and in 1988, an arm of that organization, The EWAHA Qigong Institute, was established to promote research in medical Qigong.
Effie Poy Yew Chow was appointed to the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy and was the recipient of the “Visionary of the Year 1997,” “The Humanitarian of the Year 1999,” and “The Visionary of the Decade 2000” Awards. Dr. Chow has been working to integrate Traditional Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine for over 40 years. Toward this goal, she founded the East West Academy of Healing Arts (EWAHA) in 1973 and in 1988, an arm of that organization, The EWAHA Qigong Institute, was established to promote research in medical Qigong.
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Gavin de Becker
Gavin de Becker
Gavin de Becker is the bestselling author of The Gift of Fear, which spent four months on the NY Times Bestseller List and has been published in 13 languages. He and his work have appeared on the Oprah Winfrey and Larry King shows numerous times, on the pages of Time and Newsweek, and been endorsed by every major women’s magazine. Mr. de Becker was twice appointed to the President's Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Justice. He is a Senior Fellow at the UCLA School of Public Affairs, and a Senior Advisor to the Rand Corporation.
Gavin de Becker is the bestselling author of The Gift of Fear, which spent four months on the NY Times Bestseller List and has been published in 13 languages. He and his work have appeared on the Oprah Winfrey and Larry King shows numerous times, on the pages of Time and Newsweek, and been endorsed by every major women’s magazine. Mr. de Becker was twice appointed to the President's Advisory Board at the U.S. Department of Justice. He is a Senior Fellow at the UCLA School of Public Affairs, and a Senior Advisor to the Rand Corporation.
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James Ellroy
James Ellroy
James Ellroy is one of the world's best-selling crime writers and essayists, known for his unique "telegraphic" writing style, which omits words other writers would consider necessary, and often features just sentence fragments. The author of LA Confidential and The Black Dahlia, he struggled with alcohol and drugs early in his career, but was able to achieve long-term sobriety by creating a powerful inner vision of a satisfying drug free life. He will share his thoughts and experiences about addiction and addictive behaviors.
James Ellroy is one of the world's best-selling crime writers and essayists, known for his unique "telegraphic" writing style, which omits words other writers would consider necessary, and often features just sentence fragments. The author of LA Confidential and The Black Dahlia, he struggled with alcohol and drugs early in his career, but was able to achieve long-term sobriety by creating a powerful inner vision of a satisfying drug free life. He will share his thoughts and experiences about addiction and addictive behaviors.
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Lyn Freeman, PhD
Lyn Freeman, PhD
Lyn Freeman is a specialist, researcher, and consultant of mind-body medicine as treatment for chronic disease. She is the founder and President of Mind Matters Research, an Alaskan-based research center specializing in interventions for late-term and long-term effects of cancer and its treatments. Lyn recently completed a National Cancer Institute-funded research study of an imagery program she created for breast cancer survivors. The imagery program, entitled "Envision the Rhythms of Life" produced statistically and clinically significant outcomes. Lyn has authored academic textbooks, chapters and medical manuals on the evidence, benefits and limitations of complementary and alternative medicine. Her most recent academic text is Mosby’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research Based Approach(3rd ed) (2008). She is a Professor of Psychology at Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco. More information is available on her website www.compmedalaska.com.
Lyn Freeman is a specialist, researcher, and consultant of mind-body medicine as treatment for chronic disease. She is the founder and President of Mind Matters Research, an Alaskan-based research center specializing in interventions for late-term and long-term effects of cancer and its treatments. Lyn recently completed a National Cancer Institute-funded research study of an imagery program she created for breast cancer survivors. The imagery program, entitled "Envision the Rhythms of Life" produced statistically and clinically significant outcomes. Lyn has authored academic textbooks, chapters and medical manuals on the evidence, benefits and limitations of complementary and alternative medicine. Her most recent academic text is Mosby’s Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Research Based Approach(3rd ed) (2008). She is a Professor of Psychology at Saybrook Graduate School, San Francisco. More information is available on her website www.compmedalaska.com.
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James S. Gordon, MD
James S. Gordon, MD
James S. Gordon is the Founder and Director of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC, a Clinical Professor at Georgetown University Medical School and former Chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. He is the author of Manifesto for a New Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Care, and the soon-to-be-released Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven Stage Journey out of Depression. (Penguin, April 2008).
James S. Gordon is the Founder and Director of The Center for Mind-Body Medicine in Washington, DC, a Clinical Professor at Georgetown University Medical School and former Chairman of the White House Commission on Complementary and Alternative Medicine Policy. He is the author of Manifesto for a New Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Care, and the soon-to-be-released Unstuck: Your Guide to the Seven Stage Journey out of Depression. (Penguin, April 2008).
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What our students say

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restored my enjoyment

For me the most important part of my Interactive Guided Imagery℠ training was to really develop my skills as a listener. The AGI training program also helped me to be less judgmental and interpretive with regard to what I hear, whether in an imagery session or in other patient communications. Finally, my work with imagery has restored my enjoyment in practicing medicine because it takes me and my patients into unknown, magical places of healing and awareness.
Matthew Zwerling, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon
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a truly invaluable experience

A truly invaluable experience that opened a gate for me to a deepened understanding of innate healing power. I sincerely believe that any physician who practices Integrative Medicine should be well-practiced in the applications of Interactive Guided Imagery℠. . .Its use in pain and symptom management, as well as insight and resource cultivation, has made the path of healing powerful and meaningful. . .What a joy!
Carl Hendel, MD
Integrative Medicine
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a gift that keeps giving

The training itself connected me with my own 'inner healer,' a gift that keeps giving as I do Interactive Guided Imagery℠. I have found it to be very helpful in working with hospice and chemically dependent clients.
Marsha Aliamus, RN
Registered Nurse
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a transforming experience

My clients now leave my office more relaxed, grounded, empowered . . . Certification Training is a transforming experience.
Ron Rehrer, MFCC
Pastoral Counselor
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making a major contribution

Though I have been in practice since 1973, I have seldom seen the depth of understanding, clarity of direction, and motivation toward change through other modalities. Clearly Interactive Guided Imagery℠ is an approach to therapy which is making a major contribution.
Richard D. Berrett, PhD
Professor of Child and Family Science, California State University, Fresno
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the most exciting and useful training

The guided imagery training that I received from the Academy was by far the most exciting and useful training that I have received since finishing my PhD. I still get referrals regularly from the Academy's listing of graduates. I enthusiastically support any professional considering adding Interactive Guided Imagery℠ to their armamentarium.
James M. Holcomb, PhD
Clinical Psychologist
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enhances the effectiveness of other treatments

Guided Imagery and visualization can enhance the effectiveness of other treatments, including allopathic drugs and surgery. Try them for any illness and all autoimmune disorders.
Andrew Weil, MD
Shape, January 1996
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professional & well thought out training

The Academy provides an exceptionally thorough, professional and well thought out training for practicing clinicians. My own Certification Training was extremely valuable to me and I prefer to use AGI graduates whenever possible in our hospital programs.
Leslie Davenport, MS, MFCC
Executive Coordinator, Humanities Program, Marin General Hospital
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so useful

I find Interactive Guided Imagery so useful that I plan to require training in it for students in the Integrative Medicine Program I am creating at the University of Arizona Medical Center.
Andrew Weil, MD
Author, Spontaneous Healing
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an exquisite training program

The Academy for Guided Imagery has created and finely honed an exquisite training program. Years of development and feedback has resulted in a creative program with great integrity and clinical relevance.
Jeanne Achterberg, PhD
Senior Editor, Alternative Therapies in Medicine

Interactive Guided Imagery℠ explained

Quiet the mind.

Interactive Guided Imagery℠ is based on Jungian psychology and the idea that our reality is largely a manifestation of our mind. This applies to everything from our personal worries to our professional aspirations.

Quieting the mind allows us to open our clients to the inner realms and explore in a way that is rarely experienced.

Listen to the unconscious.

Our unconscious mind is a collection of intuitions, emotions, memories, and beliefs, often expressed more vividly through images than words. Western culture tends to underplay the significance of these images and the feelings they evoke.

As we quiet the mind, the unconscious starts to open up and allow the deeply held intuitions, beliefs, and emotions that it has held onto. Interactive Guided Imagery℠ has the unique ability to  uncover insights more rapidly and directly helpful than conventional diagnostics.

Interact with the inner wisdoms.

Using guided imagery, clients can visualize and interact with an image representing a pain, trauma or challenge. These images are deeply resonant archetypes that clients build relationships with and grow to trust, sometimes more deeply than any relationships in the external world.

Interactive Guided Imagery℠ incorporates techniques from hypnosis, neurolinguistic programming, psychosynthesis, and Jungian active imagination. It gives us access to our innate resources guiding us to deal with challenges and heal from the inside out.

Become a certified imagery guide

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Start the full certification program or choose your own courses
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Complete Self Study & Exam for
FIGI
and
ATS 1A/B
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Attend 3 day live online
Preceptorship I
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Complete self study & exam for
ATS 2A/B
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Attend 3 day live online
Preceptorship II
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Complete self study & exam for
ATS 3A/B
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Complete independent study
ATS 3A/B
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Get certified!
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Our courses explained

How long does it take to get certified?

Our students complete the full certification in 6 - 12 months in most cases.

We recommend completing the training within 2 years, or you might risk having to take the courses again in order to achieve your certification.

If you can't complete the courses within 2 years, you may apply for a 6 month extension. But this will be granted on a case-by-case basis.

How credible is the certification?
Do I have to attend classes?

All of our courses are online, so you can study from home at your own pace.

However, in order to receive your official Interactive Imagery Guide certification, you must attend 2 live, online preceptorship workshops. These are held only a few times per year so it's important that you attend both to get your certification.

Check out the dates and prerequisites for the upcoming online workshops.

What payment plans are available for me?

Payment plans are available for our full certification course. Pay monthly over 3 months, 6 months or 9 months.

Check out the payment plans on the full certification course page.

Does this course contribute to CE credits for maintaining my license?

Our courses are approved to offer CE credit by the professional organizations listed below. This event may qualify for continued education hours as required by other national, state, and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Contact them for specific filing requirements.To receive CE credit and a Certificate of Completion, you must pay the additional CE credit fee(s), attend in full each of the presentations you seek credit for, and complete a brief post-presentation quiz and course survey.

Nurses [CBRN]

AGI is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (CBRN) to offer Continuing Education Credit for California nurses who satisfactorily complete this program. AGI maintains responsibility for the program (Provider #08627).

Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors [CADCEP]

AGI is approved by the California Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors Education Program (CADCEP) to offer CE Credit for Alcoholism and Drug Counselors who satisfactorily complete this program. AGI maintains responsibility for the program (Provider #4C-91-260-0495).

Other Health Professions

This event may qualify for continued education hours as required by many national, state, and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Contact your own regulatory board or organization for specific filing requirements, and send them your course outline and certificate of completion to determine whether the accreditations listed above are accepted.

Preceptorships

Online preceptorships

We offer two online workshops to help put the theory you learned into practice. Attending these 3 day workshops are a required step to earn full certification.

These workshops are also open for any student interested in getting more practical experience (so long as you’ve completed the prerequisites).

Preceptorship 1

August 23-25, 2024
OR
September 6 - 8, 2024
Register now
Schedule
8:00AM to 6:00PM
Friday and Saturday 
Pacific Time (PT)
8:00AM to 5:00PM
Sunday
Pacific Time (PT)
prerequisites
What’s covered
  1. A discussion and demonstration of a core Interactive Guided Imagery technique led by one of our experts.
  2. Small group sessions where you’ll practice guiding an imagery session and get feedback from our experts.
  3. Experience being both a client and an observer to expand your learning.

Things we cover in this sessions are how to deal with:

  • Advanced Work with the Inner Advisor
  • Dialoguing With Symptoms
  • Evocative Imagery
  • Grounding Techniques
More details
Close details

Preceptorship 2

October 25-27, 2024
OR
November 8-10, 2024
Register now
Schedule
8:00AM to 6:00PM
Friday and Saturday 
Pacific Time (PT)
8:00AM to 5:00PM
Sunday
Pacific Time (PT)
prerequisites
What’s covered

Follows the same format as preceptorship 1. But covers detailed instruction and supervision in using some of the more advanced and powerful techniques.

Things we cover in this sessions are how to deal with:

  • Regression With The Inner Advisor
  • Parts Work & Conflict Resolution
  • Inner Child & The Essential Self
  • The Search For Purpose
More details
Close details
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Preceptorships explained

What do I need to attend?

A computer with high speed internet access, and reliable video and audio.

Your mobile available as backup for technical difficulties.

We’ll meet five days before the program for a brief “dress rehearsal” to insure that all technology is functioning properly

What if I have technical issues?

If all available technology fails, online students may make-up any lost workshop time by working online directly with a faculty member, or by joining the next preceptorship during the missed portion.

What if I experience uncomfortable psychological effects as a patient or guide?

AGI recognizes that the possibility exists during its trainings for exposure to powerful psychological contents including memories, fantasies, emotions, and physical reactions to all the above. AGI provides designated, skilled facilitators at each training that are available in case of psychological emergency during the training period.

At the same time, AGI strongly encourages all participants going through Certification training to have an established relationship with a competent therapist, preferably one with knowledge of imagery and symbolic process, who can be called on in case there is any overwhelming, threatening, or difficult emergence of material and affect.

I need to cancel, do you offer refunds?

Due to the value of the limited spaces available, you must give one month's prior notice if you cancel attendance at a Preceptorship in which you have enrolled. There will be no additional charge to you if AGI is notified more than 30 days in advance.

With less than 30 day's notice, AGI will charge you a $100 processing fee and attempt to fill your spot with another student. If AGI cannot fill your spot (which is quite possible due to the longer planning needs of most professionals), you will be charged $375 (one-half regular) additional tuition to re-register for a future Preceptorship.

Connect
with us.

Have questions about Interactive Guided ImagerySM or any of our courses? We’d love to connect with you.
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