Guided Imagery..

Guided imagery is one of the methods how visualization can be approached. Bresler and Rossman definition of guided imagery: “range of techniques from simple visualization and direct imagery-based suggestion through metaphor and storytelling” (2003, in J. Miller et. al.,2006). This technique has been used for many years in several cultures such as Native American, Judeo-Christian, Hinduism, and in traditional Chinese medicine (J. Miller et. al.,2006).  Despite the fact that guided imagery is being used now days as an aid and not as a direct treatment, it has been used for over a century in the psychotherapy field (J. Miller et. al.,2006). One of the known therapeutic techniques is the psychodrama/symboldrama psychotherapy/guided affective imagery. This therapeutic technique is based on the re-enactment of the patient’s personal problems by trained participants aiming to guide the projection and externalization of the patient (J. Miller et. al.,2006). Other techniques of guided imagery have been used in psychotherapy to help in behavior-modification such as systematic desensitization, aversive-imagery methods, symbolic-modeling techniques and implosive therapy (Schoettle,1980, in J. Miller et. al.,2006). The incorporation of guided imagery in the medical field has been increasing through the past years specially but not limited with cancer patients (J. Miller et. al.,2006). Two different studies, one dealing with cancer patients and the other dealing with participants getting physical therapy, showed more improvement in health in both cases compared to the individuals who did not receive guided imagery (J. Miller et. al.,2006). Guided imagery is also used to improve motivation , performance, and as an aid in rehabilitation from injuries with athletes. We will be talking about this subject in other post.

I will share with you part of the introduction of the Guided Imagery as an Effective Therapeutic Technique article  which gives a good example of what guided imagery is:

“Prepare to learn in an interesting way...

Some learning will be obvious and some may

occur at a different level... You are about to

begin a journey back in time to meet researchers

in the helping profession who will help

you better understand the scientific validation

for the use of guided imagery... As you

read this, you may or may not notice your

rate of reading ... or rate of breathing... As

you continue feeling as relaxed and safe as

you feel comfortable... you might be curious

about the topic, maybe excited, maybe you

have healthy doubts too... Whatever you are

feeling about guided imagery is okay... You

are free at any time to pause to contemplate...

or move on to another article for any reason.

Now better prepared, you can begin this brief

primer on some history and selected research

on therapeutic uses of guided imagery...”

(J. Miller et. al.,2006).

Guided imagery is a polysensory experience based on the description of J.M.Williams, because it involves most of  the senses which enhance the vividness of the visualization (2010). It could easily be combined with relaxation, and awarenesss methods.

Sources:

Williams, J.M., Applied Sport Psychology, personal growth to peak performance, sixth edition 2010

Utay, Joe;Miller, Megan Journal of Instructional Psychology; Guided Imagery as an Effective Therapeutic Technique: A Brief Review of its History and Efficacy Research. Mar2006, Vol. 33 Issue 1, p40-43, 4p.