The following is an important discussion about one patient who listened to “Panic Attack”.  Belleruth Naparstek is probably the leading creator, producer and seller of Guided Imagery recordings. Her “Prepare for Surgery” has been clinically tested and found effective in reducing the patient’s loss of blood and speeding the course of healing. So what do we learn about this questioners experience with a client?

Is Guided Imagery Dangerous for Someone Who Dissociates?

Question:

Are the guided visualizations safe for persons with a history of traumatic dissociation and a traumatic brain injury?  I introduced a client to the Panic Attack tape and she felt “funny” and dissociated at the end of the session.  We did some grounding exercises to return her into her body, and she was fine, but she is questioning the safety of follow-up work with these tapes.  Thanks for any feedback you can offer!

Answer:

Great question – a lot of therapists who don’t work regularly with hypnosis or imagery ask it. 
Since guided imagery is a form of conscious, purposeful dissociation, it can actually be used to help train a client like this to gain control over her dissociative process.  By practicing with it, she can get a better idea of what it’s like to be ‘home’ inside her body, and what it’s like to go AWOL and be someplace else in her mind. By opting to use imagery on a regular basis, starting out with you keeping her company, she can become skillful at realizing when she’s floated out, and can then pull herself back into her body quickly – by doing those grounding exercises you gave her, for instance.

As you know, it’s much safer for her to be “home” in her body – it’s the ungrounded, floaty, dissociated people who get pegged as prey by predators looking for their next mugging or sexual assault victim.  In that disembodied state, they broadcast with their body language and that spacey look in their eyes, just how easy it would be to figuratively or literally knock them over.  Similarly, they have more auto accidents and accidental injuries while ironing, using an oven or slicing things with a knife.  

But this means she should continue to practice this with you in the office, where she can safely learn to get a handle on this – it won’t be long before she’ll be able to do it on her own and she’ll be far safer and happier for it.

She should be able to tell you when she feels in control.

 As I mention in Invisible Heroes, 2 psychologists from Georgia State, Drs. Joen Fagan and Erma Shephard, way back in the 1980’s, amply demonstrated the power of dissociative techniques, such as hypnosis and guided imagery, for helping people who dissociate, even people with the most extreme diagnoses, such as what they used to call at that time Multiple Personality Disorder – now Dissociative Identity Disorder.

I hope this helps.

All best,

Belleruth

To see the article on Belleruth’s website click here.

We are blogging for mental health today at Imagery International. Our integrative and multidisciplinary framework incorporates an appreciation of how powerful our imagination is in healing.

As educators and practitioners we advocate for less stigma around seeking assistance for mental health issues and more accessibility to services that can facilitate a reduction of stress and suffering. When people are having a difficult time dealing with the stresses of life, we feel strongly about being able to foster both acceptance and change by acknowledging the unique imagery that arises in presenting problems.

When appropriate, we can sometimes encourage an active engagement with these images and serve to facilitate in our clients a mindful attentiveness to what is newly emerging. Sometimes this can involve stepping into an imagined quality and role playing with speech and behavior. Other times, one can create a safe and peaceful place from which to then explore more challenging emotional issues. The safe space can be purely imaginary or it can blend an actual place with embellishments of the imagination. One can have an imaginary guide, such as a spiritual mentor, who assists along the way.

Dream material and literature can be fodder for interacting with images and symbols that emerge as significant in some way in the present moment. Using the imagination through engaging in art, music, dance, and writing can assist in moving through difficult life concerns.  Taking an actual object in one’s hand and exploring the texture, shape, scent, and so forth can also be beneficial, particularly when the object is gathered from the natural environment. Indeed, images in nature are profoundly moving and awakening when we surrender to noticing their expression. Staying present to what one is experiencing in one’s body in the present moment and perhaps bringing voice to an image around a medical issue can be helpful.

Contemplative practices that involve imagery, such as tonglen and loving-kindness meditation can foster the occasion of forgiveness of self and others.

Working with images can help foster emotional regulation and integration of the many parts of the self, such that we become more mindful in both our intra- and interpersonal interactions. There is both anecdotal and empirical evidence to back this up, from the cave images of our deep past to current scientific studies around perception and neuroplasticity. Even if we don’t explicitly engage in “imagery work,” we are calling images into our mental health practice at every moment, as each person shares their diversity and their unique narratives. Through a blending of mindfulness practices and respecting what is present through images, we both include and move beyond past maladaptive patterns and narratives and into a new autobiographical memory.

Metta,

Juliet Rohde-Brown, PhD
President
Imagery International

Linda Blachman

All the world is just a narrow bridge. The main thing is not to fear. – R. Nachman

May 2011

Dear Colleagues and Friends,

I am pleased to announce the launch of my life transitions coaching and guided imagery practice, a complement to my ongoing work with personal histories and legacies.

Whether self-initiated or forced upon us, transitional times can feel like standing on a bridge in a fog of confusion. Wanting to avoid discomfort, we may miss the opportunity to delve deeply enough to make wise life-affirming choices and thoughtful plans for crafting the next chapter.

After an extended transition of my own, I am called to help others learn to use times of challenge and change for growth, healing and renewal. My mission is to help my clients navigate inevitable losses and uncertainties and take the necessary steps to author a new narrative. Together we review the past and release what is no longer needed; identify sources of authenticity, vitality and joy; visualize and plan the future; and move towards meaningful goals, all the while living with awareness in the present moment.

We discover our truth by telling our stories.To this work I bring more than 30 years as a counselor and health educator, as well as extensive training and experience in personal history and legacy preparation, life review and life planning, and contemplative/spiritual practices, including a Choose Life! exercise I developed while working through my own transition. Additionally, I am certified in Interactive Guided Imagery (SM), a powerful tool for stress reduction, symptom management, enhancement of positive thinking and performance, and inner-directed decision-making and goal setting.

I can work locally or nationally with adults facing most life changes. Some areas of specialization include:

· Midlife and beyond (career change; retirement; empty nest; meaning/creativity; relocation; aging)
· Mental/physical/spiritual health (stress reduction and wellness; illness; bereavement; caregiving)
· Parenting (infertility; pregnancy/new motherhood; return to work; divorce)

Watch in the coming months for my new web site, special packages and a periodic newsletter. If you know anyone who would like help with a life transition, I would be delighted to receive a referral from you.

Warm wishes for a spring of renewal,

Linda

Linda Blachman, MPH, MA
http://www.lindablachman.com
linda@lindablachman.com
510.540.8755 (desk)

Linda’s book, “ANOTHER MORNING: Voices of Truth and Hope From Mothers with Cancer” is available by clicking here.

Dr. Jeanne Achterberg, a leader in imagery exploration and application, refers to imagery as “the thought process that invokes and uses the senses: vision, audition, smell, taste, the senses of movement, position and touch. It is the communication between perception, emotion, and bodily change.” Guided Imagery can evoke change through the senses both physical and imagined by skillful guidance.

Guided Imagery Experienced

A definition does not capture the experience of working with a trained Guided Imagery practitioner.  And most people who have not had experience with this approach want to know about research on efficacy of Guided Imagery for changing symptoms, behavior before deciding to try it out.  Imagery International’s professionals have written about their work over the years and through articles in Imagery International’s newsletter – ImagiNews -  discuss how they have incorporated their Guided Imagery training into their practices.

Our membership is comprised of diverse licensed and certified professionals who show how this work is useful to virtually all types of work.

To see these articles that range from relevant research citations to treatment of symptoms and behavioral problems visit our About Guided Imagery page.

All types of professionals are not represented here.  We will be adding information as articles are submitted.

Leslie Davenport

Tapping into the heart’s wisdom through imagery is an ancient practice, but today guided imagery is enjoying a renaissance in a variety of medical, psychological, educational, artistic and spiritual practices. It is used in as part of treatment with medical conditions, post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, phobias, writer’s block, athletic performance, and deepening spiritual practice.  I hope to see you at one of these upcoming events

April 16: Guided Imagery to Support Grief Sutter Hospice
10:30AM – 12:30PM, San Mateo, California

April 22 – June 10: Integrative Healing for Cancer Care: An Educational Support Group
California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco
Fridays 1:30PM – 3:30PM,  Free  415-600-3081

May 7: Shout! A Healing Arts Day for Veterans San Francisco, California Free 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

May 14 & 15: Revive, Thrive & Restore to the Core Wellness Retreat Renaissance ClubSport, Walnut Creek, California.

June 25: Spirituality & Religion in Psychotherapy
JFK University, Berkeley, California. CE Credit.

August 20: Spirituality & Religion in Psychotherapy
in Campbell, California  CE Credit.

September 10: Clinical Application of Deep Imagination
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Institute for Health & Healing, San Francisco, CE Credits

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Leslie’s book Healing and Transformation Through Self Guided Imagery includes a self-facilitation worksheet with step-by-step instructions for unscripted guided imagery everyone can learn. It is available on Amazon in both paperback and Kindle editions.

To find out more about Leslie Davenport, visit her website:

http://www.lesliedavenport.com/

Listen to them at your convenience–they’re archived.

In our first podcast of January 2011, new president Juliet Rohde-Brown, PhD  interviews Martin Rossman, MD whose recent book The Worry Solution offers ways to change “bad worry” into “good worry” and life changing action. The science is compelling too as Dr. Rossman talks about the research on neuroplasticity.

Look for 6-8 podcasts this coming year, of exciting interviews with Imagery professionals, bringing you the latest applications and innovations, as well as the tried and true.

We are interested in your input on current podcasts and anyone you’d like to hear. Post your comments below.

Healthjourneys – Belleruth Naparstek

BR’s 13 (Lucky) Tips for Holiday De-Stressing

“Most of us know that, while some stress is good for most of us – it keeps the engine tuned and makes life interesting, chronic, unmitigated stress wears down the immune system and organ systems, impedes peak functioning, muddies thinking and decision making, and doesn’t exactly make maintaining relationships a walk in the park either.

Belleruth Naparstek

And it seems that being stressed kind of feeds itself, so that pretty soon there’s a self-sustaining momentum to it, and it’s harder to pull yourself back to relaxation and wellness.”

Hello again.  It’s that time of year when we aspire to stay calm, sane and steady – and maybe even have a little fun – in the face of demands piling on as the holidays draw nigh.  You’ve probably seen most of these tips before, but just as a timely reminder, here’s my list of how to minimize the inevitable stress

• Take Care of Your Body 
Try to do all the things you know are good for your physical well being: get regular exercise; take it easy on the caffeine, sugar and alcohol; get enough sleep; eat healthy food – you know this stuff. This is the baseline of stress reduction.

• Track Your Physical Comfort
Take time to check in and see how your body is feeling. Once you notice, you can make small corrections to relieve discomfort before it takes over. Breathe into tight places; stretch and move when your back or neck feels stiff; look out the window when your eyes are straining at the computer screen; massage your neck and press the acupoints when a headache is lurking. But you have to notice what’s amiss first.

To read the rest of the article click here.

Martin Rossman, MD

From Dr. Rossman’s blog post “Making Good Worry Better”

“Good worry” is worry that focuses on a problem that you may be able to do something about. Specific ways of both logical and emotional/intuitive thinking can help make you much more effective in resolving these issues or problems. Many people know what they need to do to change things in their lives for the better but have trouble acting on what they know.

Why would that be?  Here are some common reasons for not making progress:

·    You aren’t really clear on what it is you want to do; you have left the issue so vague and uncertain that no goal can be set.

·    You haven’t been able to imagine a good way to accomplish what you want to accomplish, sometimes because you have become stuck in one way of thinking.

·    You haven’t really chosen the necessary course of action, which prevents you from putting your energy and intention behind it.

·    You haven’t clearly delineated a plan that is likely to get you where you want to go.

·    There are parts of you that have fears, concerns, or objections to resolving this problem and you haven’t accounted for them.

·    You need more motivation, courage, creativity, or other personal qualities to help you move out of your stuck place.

click here to read the rest of the post.

Mental Imagery uses Imagination “The Intelligence of the Heart”
to heal what ails: physical, mental, emotional and/or spiritual

Randy Kasper, LCSW, BCD

This workshop will highlight how to read images using the tools of colors, numbers and directions, how to use imagery to assess clients’ level of commitment and will incorporate the twelve steps in a fresh, imagery-oriented way.

Randy will be presenting at Imagery International’s Second Conference Co-Sponsored by Beyond Ordinary Nursing – Imagery for the Future: Illuminating Lives

October 22-24, 2010 
Vallombrosa Center, Menlo Park, California

To see more about this unique imagery conference and register click here to visit the conference page.

**Registration due by October 5.

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Randy Kasper has been offering work in mental imagery for the last eighteen years and is on the faculty of American Institute for Mental Imagery. Randy is currently running an Employee Assistance Program and has been the director of three comprehensive programs for chemical dependency, eating disorders, and domestic violence.

In addition to teaching and training, Randy’s background includes theater and improvisation.

Imagery International hosts the Second Annual Conference:

Imagery for the Future: Illuminating Lives

Co-Sponsored by Beyond Ordinary Nursing