Sarasota, FL

 

Jennifer Sault, MFA, MS/EdS, LMHC

941-266-5768

 

Imagery, Interactive Guided ImagerySM:

Frequently asked questions and additional information.

Click on the 'Tapes' link on the left for information on ordering Guided Imagery tapes.

(Click on the links below for more information on the following subjects and questions.)

 



What is Imagery?

The rich world of the imagination is often dismissed as less real than the world of solid reality, and yet the response we have to imagery is very real. We can make ourselves salivate, for example, by thinking about a juicy lemon. In so doing, we are creating a physiological response to the idea, or the thought form, of a lemon. If we hold out both arms and imagine a heavy book in one hand and a helium balloon attached to the other, we can feel very different responses in our muscles. Again, tired muscles are a physiological response to the image, or the idea, of a heavy book.

An image is not necessarily a picture. Some people, artists especially, can close their eyes and see a picture, but for most of us an image is a thought form, a knowing somewhere in the mind. If you were to be asked what you did yesterday, for example, you would describe your actions one at a time because you would have to use verbal language, but you would probably access that memory as a whole, using the language of imagery. And whether or not you had a mental picture, you would be able to describe the colors and textures, the sounds, maybe even the smells associated with those memories.

An image, therefore, is a thought form with sensory qualities. When we close our eyes and conjure up in the mind an image of a day at the beach, for example, we will not only have a clear visual idea of the ocean, the sand, the waves, and the sea oats. We can also recall the sound of the breakers and the seagulls, the fresh salty smell of the air, the warmth of the sun, and the feel of the breeze in our hair. We can recall emotions we would feel in that environment, and we may find ourselves smiling as we remember happiness or peace of mind or joy in the miracles of nature.

What is Guided Imagery?

The language of imagery is an extremely powerful language, yet it is one in which most of us are not well educated. Our education system is based on verbal language, the left brain, logical, analytical, sequential way of thinking. We are taught to dismiss the imagination, and to give reality only to the logical and analytical, and the empirically proven.

But our beliefs and thoughts, the powerful impulses and patterns that drive our behaviors, are touched at a deep level by imagery. Our personal imagery affects the very conditions of our life. Those of us who see the world as an inviting, interesting, and safe place probably live an emotional life that is very different from those of us who feel the world is impersonal and threatening. By understanding the often-unconscious internal images we hold of ourselves and our world, we can better understand ourselves. What is more, by using the power of imagery, we can affect our emotions and our bodies, by changing behaviors, boosting our immune system, even healing ourselves.

In a guided imagery experience, you are led gently and deeply through an inner journey. During that journey you can communicate with the deepest aspects of your being through the language of myth and symbol. In this type of guided meditation, you allow the language of imagery to lead you into the deeper levels of your mind to discover the wisdom and guidance that you carry within.

When engaged in guided meditation, your mind is functioning on many levels at the same time: your conscious mind may be listening to the surface meaning, while your unconscious mind is involved with the symbolic significance of the images. The power of guided meditation to uncover personal meaning and effect personal change lies in the ability of the unconscious mind to take what is relevant, what is most meaningful to you, and make the connections that are most helpful in solving a problem or opening doors to growth.

We are all bilingual.

There are two languages that the human nervous system uses to process information. One is verbal, and this is the language we are most trained to use. All our education system is based on verbal language. Verbal language is linear, sequential, and logical, and is the language of the conscious mind.

The other, the language of imagery, is intuitive and symbolic. It draws on images from the unconscious part of the mind, which are rich in emotion. Imagery is the way in which we store our memories, and it is the way in which our unconscious communicates with us in dreams and reveries.

We use imagery all the time, without ever thinking about it. Unfortunately, we often use imagery in negative ways, such as when we worry about something that we are afraid may happen. What we are doing is creating a negative image, and we may give that image a lot of power—the power to give us a headache, indigestion, or insomnia.

We can learn to access our internal imagery, understand the unhealthy messages we are feeding ourselves, and change those images. We then use imagery in positive ways to give ourselves healthy, healing messages, ones that nurture us and help us to live our lives in a better, more fulfilling and meaningful way.

What are the benefits of Guided Imagery?

We are all born with the capacity to produce rich internal imagery, but not many of us have been educated or trained in how to use the language of imagery to help or heal ourselves. We are also born with the capacity to learn to read and write, but we still have to be taught how. When we take the time to learn how to use imagery in positive ways—for healing, problem solving, or conflict resolution—the benefits are immense. They include:

  • Relaxation and stress reduction.
  • Access to creativity, self-knowledge and inner strengths.
  • Restoration of self-confidence and self-control.
  • Stimulation of self-healing responses.
  • Performance enhancement (e.g. sports training, development of study skills, goal setting and concentration).

How does Interactive Imagery work?

Imagery is the encoding language of the unconscious mind, and it conveys critical and relevant information about our beliefs, attitudes, emotions, motivations, and behaviors. Imagery also has powerful physiological consequences that are directly related to the healing systems of the body.

Interactive imagery uses a simple relaxation technique to help you focus attention on your own personal inner world. By inviting images to form that are related to issues in your life, you are able to access information and resources that can be powerfully therapeutic.

What is the difference between Guided Imagery and Interactive Imagery?

Guided imagery leads you through an imagery experience. The guide provides the images. In interactive imagery, the guide helps you to evoke images from your own unconscious, images that are specific and meaningful to you.

Can Interactive Imagery help me?

Interactive imagery is being used by physicians, psychotherapists, counselors, nurses, and other health professionals to help people with a wide range of physical and mental issues. It is among the safest, fastest, and most powerful therapeutic approaches. Many people who have not responded to other techniques have found it to be helpful and effective.

Interactive imagery can also go beyond problem solving and be a powerful tool of self-exploration and growth.

Are there any dangers or side effects?

Interactive Imagery Guide uses non-judgmental, content-free language to help you become more aware of your own thoughts, feelings, and physical responses, and to enable you to play a more active role in your own healing and growth. While there is a possibility of uncovering traumatic insights or producing strong emotions, certified Interactive Imagery Guides are trained and prepared to prevent this when possible, and to help you work through such insights or emotions should they occur. These risks are rare, but real, and the Academy for Guided Imagery refers clients only to practitioners who have satisfactorily completed certification training.

What does certification involve?

Certified Guides have taken at least 150 hours of advanced imagery training beyond their graduate and professional licensure requirements, including 52 hours of direct supervision to ensure their competence and mastery of these methods.

Certified Guides must also subscribe to the ethical standards of the American Psychological Association, which has accredited Academy for Guided Imagery training.

How can I help the process work for me?

You and your imagery Guide may want to identify opportunities for doing your “ownwork” in this process, such as keeping a journal or scrapbook, drawing, writing about your dreams and images, or taking actions based on your insights. Interactive Guided Imagery is a participatory process, and the more you involve yourself in it, the more likely you are to benefit.

How long does it take?

You are a unique individual with a unique set of strengths, problems, and symptoms. Your Guide will help you to clarify your therapeutic goals, and over the next two or three sessions you usually sense forward progress and gain a clearer understanding of the potential utility of this approach for you.

While some issues or conditions may be resolved after only a few sessions, others may require longer periods of work. Clients who use interactive imagery for spiritual growth often choose to have a session every few months.

The Academy for Guided Imagery is a postgraduate training institution dedicated to teaching people to access and use their innate healing abilities through the power of the mind/body connection. For further information contact: The Academy for Guided Imagery, PO Box 2070, Mill Valley, CA 94942. 1-800-726.2070

| Home | About us | Integrative Medicine | Hypnosis | Imagery | CDs | Contact us |