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

An overview about imagery as a technique used in therapy and sport psychology.

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

In this article we will 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 of suitable form.

What does imagery consist of?

Guided imagery consists of to propose to the subject an imaginary scenario where he/she is able to overcome situations guided by the therapist.This is intended to ensure that the individual acquires sufficient self-confidence for when he/she needs to face a similar issue in his/her daily life.

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

The main idea is that after the process of guided imagery, the person gradually obtains the necessary psychological resources to face a complicated situation from a controlled and safe environment. psychological resources necessary to confront the adversities that may be that may arise in his or her life, regardless of the area.

Thus, imagery helps the patient to learn to relate to certain situations in a functional way and without mismanagement of emotions playing against him/her. This is done by combining the use of imagination applied to the creation of fictitious but vivid situations. fictitious but vivid situationsThe use of imagination applied to the creation of fictitious but vivid situations, on the one hand, and the possibility of controlling this imaginary environment so that it adapts to the "training plan", on the other, are combined.

With psychological supervision, the person is exposed to imaginary scenarios that are adjusted to the level of difficulty he/she can face at any given moment.

When is it advisable to apply it?

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

1. Anxiety states

Anxiety is characterized by a pattern of accelerated and catastrophic thinking, in which the subject anticipates a catastrophic event.in which the subject anticipates his failure before he has even begun to perform the activity.

In these cases, imagery consists of proposing to the subject imaginary situations in which he is exposed to some of the factors that trigger his anxiety, and guiding him until he is able to face the situation, and he himself finds the tools to manage them in a safe context.

2. When seeking to improve performance

Regardless of the area in which performance improvement is sought, imagery is an excellent technique to achieve this goal. In these cases, an imaginary scenario is generated in relation to the area where improvement is desired, be it in the sports, work, family, personal, etc., etc., etc.etc.

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

For example, if a soccer player has had a significant drop in performance, the goal is to put him in key situations where his competitive instincts come to the surface, such as the taking of a decisive penalty kick, among other situations typical of his sport.

3. When the aim is 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 him an adequate development in the aspects of his daily life.

Breakups, the loss of a job, the departure of children, among other mourning processes, the loss of a partner, the loss of a job, the loss of a family, the loss of a child, etc.among other grief processes, are frequent in treatments using imagery. Generally, when people are reluctant to close some cycles in their lives, it is because they avoid the situations completely, even to the point of not thinking about them consciously.

In order to get our patient to close cycles in a proper way, it is necessary to be tactful at the moment of bringing the visualization to the mind of the subject; otherwise there could be some quite inconvenient resistances during the process.

Sometimes it will be necessary to get the person to imagine another person with whom he/she has had a strong argument, or even someone who is no longer alive, all with the aim of having a proper farewell to reach the desired cycle closure.

Steps to follow during the process

In the following lines we will give an overview of the guidelines to follow when applying imagery.

1. Establishing rapport

This aspect is fundamental for the success of any therapeutic process, particularly when applying imagery.particularly when guided imagery is applied. It is key to ensure that the subject trusts us as therapists and allows us to provide the necessary guidance during the process.

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

2. To have the real reason for the consultation

The real reason refers to the real cause for which the subject attends the consultation. It is common that at the beginning the reason indicated is not the one that really affects him/her.

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

3. Preliminary interview

It is important to have conducted a previous interview with the subject that can provide significant information about his/her daily routines, in order to use this information during the guidance process.