Guided Imagery Meditation
Guided imagery meditation is a direct-stimulation experience incorporating elements of hypnosis and relaxation exercise. It is unique in meditation practice both for its use in secular therapy and its shifting goal-oriented procedures: the practitioner often enters into the process to address or search for a specific problem, which may be repeated or replaced for a different goal the following session. In this way it is similar to regression therapy and neuro-linguistic programming.
The technique of guided imagery is primarily a collaborative process between counselor and client. The client calls up mental images as suggested and encouraged by the counselor, followed by an interaction process to directly address and explore a particular concern, blockage or injury. The counselor does not attempt to create fresh images for the client, but instead fosters a greater awareness of the client’s existing imagery towards a resolution.
Guided imagery counselors have theorized that strong results are obtained due in part to the patients’ opportunity to find solutions within themselves. This provides a strong motivating factor to the therapy, arguably creating a less unpredictable situation than that produced by the counselor giving direct suggestions or solutions to problems not yet understood by the patient. In this sense, the more collaborative process involved in guided imagery can act as an accelerant to healing and growth by increasing the patient’s confidence and determination.
Since guided imagery is generally considered a developing technique, its benefits are under regular scrutiny by experts gathering testimonial information from a wide variety of fields, including psychotherapists, sports trainers, life skills coaches, psychologists, physiotherapists and religious practitioners.
More casual guided imagery clients have reported a marked improvement to cognitive abilities and relief from stress and depression. However, a number of positive results from its application in cases of more serious mental and physical distress have been recorded, indicating a strong trend in the direction of wider use as a therapeutic tool.
One example of guided imagery’s tangible success is in the field of oncology. In one recorded case, counselors in the U.S. tracked differences in the progress of two chemotherapy patients groups, both given relaxation therapy with one receiving additional guided imagery. There was found to be an overwhelming trend in the latter group of positive attitudes about the treatment and even indications of slower tumor growth.
Moreover, occupational therapists have reported a jump in motor skills recovery in stroke survivors who underwent guided imagery therapy. It has also made progress in the field of sports medicine and psychology, providing variant models of positive reinforcement, goal orientation and pain management for athletes to work with during preparation for competitions.