Can
Imagery Help Me?
Since guided imagery has powerful physiological
consequences and also conveys important and otherwise
inaccessible information from the unconscious mind, there
are virtually no limits to the number of situations where
it can be used in health care settings.
For simplicity, however, it may be helpful to consider
three major categories of use:
• Relaxation and stress reduction, which is easy to teach,
easy to learn, and almost universally helpful to
patients/clients.
• Active visualization, or directed imagery, where the
patient is encouraged to imagine desired therapeutic
outcomes while in a relaxed, open state of mind. This
affords clients/patients a sense of participation and
control in their own healing, which is of significant value
by itself. In addition, visualization can be used to
alleviate symptoms, stimulate healing responses in the
body, modify health endangering behaviors, and provide
effective motivation for making positive life changes.
• Receptive, or insight oriented imagery, where images are
invited to enter conscious awareness where they are
interactively explored to gather more information about a
symptom, illness, mood, treatment, situation, or possible
solution.
Clinical applications of guided imagery are tremendously
broad, and include, but are not limited to:
• Acute and chronic pain relief
• Addictions
• Anxiety, phobias, and panic disorders
• Cancer treatment and life-threatening illness
• Couples and relationship counseling
• Depression
• Family and parenting issues
• Fertility, birthing, and delivery
• Fitness training
• Grief therapy
• Immune augmentation
• Issues of aging
• Managing chronic illness and preventing acute
exacerbations
• Meaning and purpose
• Medication compliance and adherence issues
• Mind/body issues
• Post-traumatic stress disorders
• Preparation for surgery and medical procedures
• Relaxation training
• Sleep disorders
• Smoking cessation
• Spirituality
• Stress reduction and management
• Survivors of abuse and trauma
• Teaching self-care
• Terminal illness and end of life care
• Weight control