Guided Imagery & Psychotherapy Uses

Guided imagery is a part of the field of mind/body medicine, defined as using the power of the mind to evoke a positive response. Imagery is a flow of thoughts allowing one to see, hear, feel, smell, or taste in the imagination; it is an inner representation of our experience or a fantasy, and a symbolic personal language. Imagery is viewed as the language of emotions and the interface between the mind and the body. Worry is a form of imagery that is common to most; a good worrier may be a good candidate for guided imagery. Guided imagery can provide access to cognitive structures that allow for psychotherapy to take place, it can also help heal by reducing stress, slowing the heart rate, stimulating the immune system, reducing pain, and increasing self-care (Strohecker, 1994).

Guided imagery is used to help patients heals from anxiety, chronic pain, and other clinical procedures. Patients are taught to think of positive images with the use of specific words and suggestions. Patients may be led to a relaxed state of mind with muscle relaxation which can be deepened with the use of breathing exercises and the reaching of an imagined safe place (Shames, 1996).

Shames reports that the process begins by getting the patient into a relaxed state which allows images to flow more freely. The progressive muscle relaxation technique, having the patient tense up and then relax each muscle group, can be us

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an imagery figure and speak lines that are dictated. The therapist may also dictate words that challenge or contradict assumptions. Directed transformation is another method of challenging assumptions and prompted transformation that helps give initiative to the client (the general direction of the change is suggested) (Freeman, Simon, Beutler, & Arkowitz, 1989). Imagery restructuring is used in the context of an understanding of the patient's underlying problem. Imagery tools are more powerful when the conceptualization is well-developed and accurate. The nature of the client's feelings and his belief structures can be discovered through imagery work. The imagery work can help achieve restructuring that is outside the conceptual reasoning system; affectively charged material is not always easy to reach with verbal questioning (particularly with cases of strong intellectualizing styles). Many clients prefer the visual representational system (Freeman, Simon, Beutler, & Arkowitz, 1989). Leuner (1984) also reports on guided imagery. In his discussion of guided affective imagery (GAI) he states that the therapist must be acquainted with the fundamentals as well as practical experience in psychotherapy, and he must have trai
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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