-IBIS-1.5.0-
rx
imagery
techniques: programmed
psychospiritual approaches

definition

programmed visualization instruction:

The four steps of this process of patient-programmed visualization are healing images, reinforcement of treatment, coping images, and images of future recovery:

(1) Have patient lie down, close eyes, and relax. Let the attention drift to the part of the body affected by the disease. Start with the literal images of healing that the patient creates. See the physiological processes of the disease going away - the chemical changes, the cellular changes, the mechanical alterations of tissue, the return of normal functioning. Affirm "My body knows how to heal itself."

Next move onto the metaphorical images the patient has - the changing lights or colors, the imaginary mechanisms that explain how s/he is healing, the symbolic objects or persons or situations that represent the disease and its cure. Reinforce with an affirmation such as "My mind is a powerful healing force."

(2) Visualize whatever treatments are being used - diet, herbs, exercises, applications of hot and cold, drugs, chemotherapy, surgery, whatever. See the treatment as having the desired effect. Affirm "I am receiving excellent care. I'm taking care of myself."

(3) Continue the visualization by looking to the future. Patient sees herself as fully recovered, seeing and hearing the loving of family and friends, playing favorite sports, traveling, and accomplishing goals unhampered by disease Remember to phrase affirmations about the future in the present tense: "I am walking without pain. I can breathe freely again. I am fit and full of energy."

(4) Finish the visualization with reinforcement scenes of coping with the disease on a daily basis: sticking to the diet, remembering medication, keeping spirits up with meaningful activities, asking for help when it's needed, getting the shopping and cleaning done, managing responsibilities, and so on. Use affirmations such as "I can take care of business. I can cope one step at a time."

NOTE: Healing images are most effective if done once or twice daily. When the same images become stale, encourage the patient to make up new ones. Healing takes time, just as arriving at an ill state was a gradual process. Patience and persistence will bring results when the body is ready to get better. (Fanning, p. 232)

see:
converting a symptom to a signal
exploratory or mechanistic?
hypnotherapy: overview
process paradigm
reframing
relaxation techniques
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: roles, cautions and tactics
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: smoking
imagery techniques: symptom access


footnotes