What is Guided Imagery?
Guided imagery is presently being received here in the United States as a cutting edge process in the new mind-body medicine. The Guided Imagery Therapist creates imageries for her client for almost any situation, from removing past trauma, to stress management, pain control, self understanding and personal growth.
In Guided imagery the therapist induces a state of relaxation and suggests that the client visualize a scene. The therapist then guides the client through a series of visualized experiences based on the client's presenting problem. The imagery that results can lead to an instant access to the deep, hidden issues of fear, anger, identity, power struggles and defensiveness that prevent us from being real with ourselves and others. This process is not aimed towards telling the patient what is wrong with her, but rather to show her what she can become.
It is noteworthy than Guided Imagery is not hypnosis and the client does not go to sleep. Through music and the therapist's verbal induction, the patient relaxes into an alpha state which is best described as an alert state with a quiet mind. For example increased alpha is often present in the brainwave patterns of people who practice meditation, yoga or tai chi.
For best results, Guided Imagery should be practiced face-to-face, as opposed to the online modality presented on this site. Please ask more questions about this technique.
