-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
imagery
precautions: roles, cautions and tactics
psychospiritual approaches

definition

FURTHER PRECAUTIONS FOR THE USE OF IMAGERY:

• The role of the practitioner needs to be that of facilitator rather than pathfinder in the use of imagery. Imagery calls forth the individual's own unique set of symbols and meaning. Acting as the pathfinder usually results in the projection of the practitioner's own symbols and meaning onto the client, which can be harmful and is not useful.

• The person's means of information processing needs to be integrated shortly after the imaging to be useful.

• Imagery should be used with caution if the person is depersonalizing or in any way ungrounded.

• Imagery should not be use with a person who is delusional or actively hallucinating, as this may be contorted to fit the person's delusional framework. These people already have more primary process thoughts than they can handle.

• If the person has had extremely violent and/or traumatic events in their life, the unconscious will protect them from knowing too much (an amount which they cannot process). This resistance must be respected, and should be worked with and not against! If a practitioner, especially someone who is trusted by the person, persists and aggressively pushes against the protection of denial, a large crisis may be created which may damage the person's ability to function. (reviewer: Whereas, 'breakthrough therapies' may value 'big experiences,' process work aims at overall integration and wholeness).

• Some people have difficulty imaging. If desired, imaging skills can be developed. However, if the person is uncomfortable with imaging, feelings of failure may be encountered which may impede the healing process. (reviewer: It may be beneficial to switch channels - have them write, sing, move, or play with modeling clay).
(Timberlake)

see:
bodymind psychobiology
body reveals: the spirit
exploratory or mechanistic?
search for god
subjective inquiry approach
the shadow and physical symptoms
transference and countertransference
imagery: principles: receptive or programmed?
imagery: precautions: beyond individual visualizations
imagery: precautions: contraindications
imagery: precautions: Simontons' approach
imagery: precautions: spindrift research
imagery techniques: basic steps
imagery techniques: guided imagery
imagery techniques: image-cancer
imagery techniques: inner guides
imagery techniques: programmed
imagery techniques: smoking
imagery techniques: symptom access


footnotes