Imagery in therapy: what it is and how it is used in psychology

Guided imagery is a technique used in therapy and sports psychology. mainly with the purpose of helping the subject to control states of anxiety; from the treatment against phobias to improving the performance of the subject in some sports discipline.

In this article we are going to see how this technique is applied in psychological interventions, as well as the most common cases where it is usually implemented. We will see a list with the steps to follow to be able to use the imagery properly.

• Related article: "Visualization: the power of imagination to overcome difficulties"

What is the imagery?

Guided imagery consists of propose to the subject an imaginary scenario where he is able to overcome situations guided by the therapist, this with the intention of getting the individual to acquire enough self-confidence for when he needs to face a similar issue in his daily life.

This technique offers good results in the treatment of neurosis, especially in the matter of anxious states, as we have already mentioned. mentioned above, thanks to the fact that the subject is offered the possibility of facing a complicated situation from a controlled environment and sure.

The main idea is that after the guided imagery process the person gradually achieves the psychological resources necessary to face adversities that may be showing up in your life, regardless of the area.

Thus, in the imagery it is easier for the patient to learn to relate to certain situations in a functional way and without the mismanagement of emotions playing against him. This is done thanks to the fact that the use of imagination applied to the creation of fictional but vivid situations, on the one hand, and the possibility of controlling that imaginary environment so that it adapts to the "training plan", on the other.

With psychological supervision, the person is exposed to imaginary scenarios that adjust to the level of difficulty that he can face at all times.

When is your application convenient?

Now we will see some examples in which imagery is effective for treatment.

1. anxiety states

Anxiety is characterized by a pattern of racing and catastrophic thinking., in which the subject anticipates his failure before having begun to carry out the activity.

In these cases, the imagery consists of proposing to the subject imaginary situations in which he is exposed to some triggering factors of his anxiety, and guide him until he is able to face the situation, being himself the one who finds the tools to manage them in a context sure.

2. When looking to improve performance

Regardless of the area in which you are seeking to improve performance, imagery is an excellent technique to achieve this end. In these cases, an imaginary scenario is generated relative to the area where an improvement is desired, whether in the sporting, work, family, personal aspect, etc.

Once we have mentally located the subject where we want, we proceed to guide him through a series of situations in which You will have to overcome certain obstacles that the specialist will generate throughout the visualization process.

For example, if it is a footballer who has had a significant drop in his performance, they seek to put him in situations key, where their competitive instincts emerge, such as taking a decisive penalty, among other situations typical of their sport.

3. When looking to close cycles

Through this technique, the therapist can get the subject to close some negative cycles that keep him anchored to certain situations of the past and that do not allow an adequate development in the aspects of his life daily.

Relationship breakups, the loss of a job, the departure of children, among other mourning processes, are common in treatments that use imagery. Usually, when people resist closing some cycles in their lives, it is because they avoid situations completely, even to the point of not consciously thinking about them.

In order for our patient to be able to close cycles adequately, tact must be exercised when bringing the visualization to the subject's mind; otherwise there could be some rather inconvenient resistances during the process.

Sometimes it will be necessary to get the person to imagine someone else with whom they have had a heated argument, or even someone who is no longer alive, all with the aim of having a proper farewell to reach the end of the cycle wanted.

• You may be interested in: "Grief: coping with the loss of a loved one"

Steps to follow during the process

In the next few lines we will review the guidelines to follow when applying imagery.

1. Establishment of rapport

This aspect is essential for the success of any therapeutic process., particularly when we apply guided imagery. It is key to getting the subject to trust us as therapists and allow us to give them the necessary guidance during the process.

Rapport refers to the degree of trust that the therapist manages to establish with his patient; usually achieved during the first consultation sessions, before beginning with the application of any technique.

2. Have the real reason for the consultation

The real reason refers to the true cause for which the subject attends the consultation. It is common that at first the reason he indicates is not the one that really affects him.

It is the therapist's job to identify what the true motive is and work on it. At the moment of applying the imagery we must already know both the separate motive and the real motive of the case.

3. previous interview

It is important to have conducted a prior interview with the subject who can provide information significant part of their daily routines, in order to use that information during the process of guide.