2. SYLLABUS
• GUIDED IMAGERY &VISUALIZATION
• Definitions
• RelaxationTechniques Used in Conjunction
• Theory Behind CAM/Guided Imagery
• Used for Healing/What is Involved
• Adverse Health Conditions Benefited/Demonstration
• Safety of Guided Imagery &Visualization/Scientific Study
• ClassTaught ProperTechniques ofVisualization
• Resources Available in Community & Online Including Handout
3. LESSONTHREE
VISUALIZATION & GUIDED IMAGERY
While similar, guided imagery, visualization & mediation differ in the
following respects:
• Visualization is visualizing something in your mind that will help
relax you or sometimes used to make a positive change in your life
(as in quitting smoking)
• Guided Imagery is where a professional is guiding you through
calming mental images for the purpose of bringing relaxation to
both your body and your mind
• Mediation is the focus of your mind in order again to bring positive
changes to your life or for the purpose of relaxation
4. RELAXATIONTECHNIQUES USED
IN CONJUNCTION
Many times these relaxation techniques are used in conjunction with each for a
more effective outcome
Example:
During your mediation practice on the inhale you may visualize a word or colors
you envision that word to be to bring a positive emotion or image into your body
(e.g. health, peace, calm)
On the exhale the same except you are eliminating this negativity from your body
again either through words or colors (e.g. disease, anger, unrest)
Repeat several times and you will begin to feel the difference in your body as you
are eliminating these negative conditions (e.g. if using color the color will begin as
a dark color such as black and eventually come out to be a very pale shade of
gray)
5. THEORY BEHIND
COMPLEMENTARY & ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
As mentioned prior in both lessons one and two, CAM does not
treat our parts as separate but that these separate parts of our
being comprise the whole being.
In CAM all four quadrants (physical, emotional, mental and
spiritual) are treated to create harmony between the four for
optimum well being
If one quadrant is dominant over the others this creates an
imbalance in the balance creating ill health for the person
6. GUIDED IMAGERY
Guided Imagery continues with that train of thought that the
body and mind are connected
Your body will actually respond to what your mind is imagining
with all five of your senses being involved in this scene
Can be used to become more in touch with our thoughts and
emotions
Can be used to tap into our inner wisdom
7. GUIDED IMAGERYTO HEAL
Guided imagery allows us to heal our bodies
Stress as well as negative images brings ill health to our bodies
and mind
Positive thoughts and emotions bring good health and can heal
our bodies
Have been tools to heal since ancient times
8. WHAT IS INVOLVED ….
Sessions for guided imagery usually run between 30 and 45
minutes
For best results have that time be uninterrupted time
Can be done solo or in groups, as a class or part of
psychotherapy
Books, audio tapes and videos may also be used
Reference: Pain Doctor
9. ADVERSE HEALTH CONDITIONS WHICH
ARE BENEFITED
• According to the National Center for Complementary & Integrative Health, scientific studies have
shown improvement in the following adverse health conditions:
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Fibromyalgia
• Headache
• High Blood Pressure
• Insomnia
• PostTraumatic Stress Syndrome
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome
10. DEMONSTRATION OF GUIDED IMAGERY
Class will participate in a guided imagery session with their
feedback on their experience following.
Approximate time allowed 30 minutes
11. IS IT SAFE?
Yes it has been deemed safe for the general population but if
you have chronic or adverse health conditions it is best to speak
with your doctor prior
Once again, do not go off the treatment plan that your doctor
has prescribed for you but talk with your doctor about adding
guided imagery and/or visualization to your current treatment
plan
Most effective when working with someone trained in these
techniques
13. CLASS PARTICIPATION IN LEARNING
VISUALIZATIONTECHNIQUES
Instructor will instruct class in visualization techniques so that
they may use this relaxation technique at home.
Approximate time of instruction will be 20 minutes
14. NO RIGHT WAY…
There is no one single correct way of performing any of these
relaxation techniques
What works best for you is the correct way
15. RESOURCES AVALABLE
Discussion of online resources
Discussion of community resources
Discussion on reliable sources again advising the class on how
to use unbiased websites when seeking information
16. HANDOUT OF RESOURCES
The following are practitioners of guided imagery
Dr.Timothy J. Ryan, Newport Beach California
Dr. Jason Liu, South Pasadena California
Helaine Harris, Encino California
Free scripts for guided imagery as well as guided visualization
available through
InnerHealthStudio
17. REFERENCES
• NCCIH. (2014). Stress & RelaxationTechniques: What the
Science Says. Retrieved from
• https://nccih.nih.gov/health/providers/digest/relaxation-
science
Pain Doctor. (n.d.). Relaxation & Guided Imagery. Retrieved
from https://paindoctor.com/treatments/relaxation-and-
guided-imagery/
