


In the preface to the Oxford Guide to Imagery in Cognitive Therapy (Hackmann et al., 2011, p. Challenging the internal imagery that blocks behavioral change can be achieved using guided imagery techniques to restructure imagery and rescript inner scenarios that often play out when clients face challenges, compulsions, or fears. These include those referring to the past, such as rumination on loss that can lead to depression, and those referring to anticipated failure or rejection that often generate anxiety.ĬBT challenges dysfunctional patterns of thoughts, feelings, and behavior by using cognitive restructuring strategies that lead to behavioral change. Imagery was always relevant to CBT, given that many of our thoughts and feelings are accompanied by internal images. Relaxing Audio, Music, Apps, and Videosīehind Guided Imagery, CBT, & MindfulnessĬognitive-Behavioral Therapy is a therapeutic intervention that combines cognitive and behavioral approaches designed by Aaron Beck in the late 1960s.3 Visualization Activities and Exercises.

Behind Guided Imagery, CBT, & Mindfulness.These science-based exercises will provide you with detailed insight into positive Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and give you the tools to apply it in your therapy or coaching. We will also outline some of the training courses available.īefore you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive CBT Exercises for free. This article examines the science behind guided imagery and why it works, plus introduces the best techniques, guided imagery scripts, apps, videos, and books on the subject. Guided imagery is also used by sports psychologists (Ahsen, 2001) and business coaches (Vasquez & Buehler, 2007) to help clients focus and achieve their goals. Guided imagery is commonly used in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (Hackmann et al., 2011), some mindfulness-based third-wave behavioral therapies (Bedford, 2012), as a psychological intervention that helps to manage pain (Carpenter et al., 2017 Ilacqua, 1994), and as a complementary therapy during cancer treatment (Mahdizadeh et al., 2019). Guided imagery is a complementary therapy that can be a powerful technique to use with clients who have problems articulating their inner world with words alone.
