Visualisation techniques have been used in various forms of therapy for many years. In art therapy, visualisation is used to help children and adults express their emotions and thoughts non-verbally. In psychotherapy, visualisation is used to help the patient relax and project their thoughts and emotions onto scenes. The technique can be used in therapy sessions and in a home setting for self-growth and cognitive insight.
In the first application of visualisation, the therapist asks the patient to relax and close their eyes. The therapist then describes a scene and asks the patient to imagine it in their mind. The script is typically a short journey, such as walking down a street and entering a small park. The patient is then asked to continue the story and verbalise what they see and feel. This allows the patient to project their fears and desires onto the scene, revealing their unconscious thoughts.
The second application of visualisation involves classical paintings as a stimulus for self-visualisation. The therapist suggests paintings of familiar country scenes, such as those by Constable or Shishkin. The patient finds a comfortable place and focuses on the painting, imagining themselves walking through the scene and noticing the real distances and sensations like wind and sun. The patient can then record their thoughts and feelings in a notebook, which can be analysed during therapy sessions.
Visualisation allows patients to immerse themselves in a cognitive event inside their minds. The differing modalities, such as touch, feeling, sounds and sight, help to stimulate the visualisation of the story. Patients often report an enhancement of their imagination and an improved ability to express their emotions and thoughts. The power of the mind to invent and elaborate is truly amazing and can lead to positive outcomes in therapy.
Written by Stephen F. Myler