Guided Imageryas a Technique to Overcome

Fear and Anxiety

Dr. Mallika E. Meinhold, Health Psychologist/Psychotherapist

ContentIntroductionChildren and anxietyGuided ImageryHow it worksSuitabilityWhat happens in the brain?Guided learningSimple Imageries for childrenDemonstration/Practical exercise/’Peaceful

Place’

The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.

Carl Rogers

Guided Imagery is linked to Carl Roger’s (1902-1987) client- or person centred therapy which focuses on the potential to grow and change .

Humanistic Psychology has an optimistic view of the person.

Health Psychology

Prevention

Treatment

Guided Imagery is a technique used by many natural or alternative medical practitioners as well as some physicians and psychologists.

Relax at SchoolAt Rudolph Steiner oriented schools and

some Austrian primary schools relaxation exercises are part of the normal school schedule.

Nowadays children are more passive and use less imagination due to TV and ICT; but also in daily school life the left brain is more active.

Children with learning difficulties are often under enormous stress and developing anxiety symptoms.

If a child has anxiety symptoms it is less concentrated.

Anxiety SymptomsChest tightnessHeadacheDifficulties in speakingHyperactivityFear of loosing controlFear to make mistakesDifficulties in concentrationShort-term learning impairment, have a hard time

learning new informationShort-term memory impairment, can't remember

what I did a few days, hours, or moments ago

Guided ImageryMartin L. Rossman, MD physician and acupuncturist along

with David Bresler, co-founded the Academy for Guided Imagery.

Belleruth Naparsteck is a pioneer in this field.

Guided Imagery is a simple but very powerful method for children, adolescents and adults suffering from anxiety, stress and depression.

It focuses and directs the imagination and it involves far more than just the visual sense. All senses are involved during guided imagery.It mobilizes pre-conscious and unconscious processes to

assist with conscious goals => altered state of consciousness.

The Human Mind

Altered State TheoryIn the altered state, we are capable of more

rapid and intense healing, growth, learning and change.

Altered state is a relaxed focused state, a calm and energized alertness.

The altered state experience allows us to reach peak performance levels in many areas (education, sports, health, psychotherapy).

Dreams/Imaginations are bridging the unconscious and conscious level.

Guided ImageryGuided Imagery is a useful technique for

everybody who wants to overcame stress, anxiety, depression, addiction, hyperactivity and learning difficulties.

Main aims:RelaxationImprove LearningPersonality DevelopmentMental and Physical Health

Guided Imagery

Physiologically Psychologically

Psychosomatic Medicine/Body-Mind connection

How it worksSimple imagery suggestions are given to a

client by a trained practitioner.Group sessions are possible. Breathing in and out and connect the inhale

with a positive image (e.g. energy) and the exhale with a negative image for the anxiety.

The image suggestions given to a client are related to the main course of the patient's problem by providing a direction toward the solution.

How it worksPlacebo effect.Body and mind responding as the image is

real.We are watching a movie and we are tearful

and even crying. Rationally we are aware that this is only a movie but the physiological response (tears/laughing) and emotional response (sad/happy) is as this is real.

All Senses involvedV isual => see, observe, colours and shapes

A uditory => listen, speech, sounds, music

K inaesthetic=> feel, touch, movement, warmth

O lfactory => smell, fragrance, aroma

G ustatory => taste

Different aspectsGuided Imagery is not a cultural bound

technique. It can easily be used by children from different ethnic/cultural background.

Low costNo side effectsChildren are natural in doing phantasy journeys

as they do not strictly distinguish between reality and phantasy world.

Different ImageriesBefore some special imageries are utilized

(e.g. imagine you are a butterfly and you are flying…..imagine you are swimming in the sea….)

it is good to know the psychological background of the child (phobia, traumatic experience).

How to utilizeGuided imagery techniques are easy to utilize

in a class room setting and at home. Easy to learn for teachers, parents/guardians

Research FindingsOver the past 25 years, the effectiveness of

Guided Imagery has been increasingly established by research findings that demonstrate its positive impact on health, learning and performance.

It was verified that 10 minutes of GI can reduce blood pressure, lower cholesterol, reduces anxiety and depression symptoms and increases serotonin levels.

Research Findings: BrainResearchers from the University of Oregon studied

past data from a 2010 study of 45 undergraduate students, and a past study on 68 students at the Dalian University of Technology in China, who practiced integrative body-mind training.

Using diffusion tensor imaging, a kind of MRI imaging technique, the researchers were able to look at the brain structure changes that occurred in connection with GI practice.

The researchers found that after two weeks of practicing GI, the study participants had an increase in the number of signaling connections in the brain, called axonal density.

Research Findings: Brain After a month of practicing body mind

exercises- the researchers found that there were as well an increase in protective tissue (called myelin) around the axons in a part of the brain called the anterior cingulate region.

The study participants experienced less anxiety symptoms after practising regular.

Research Findings: Brain

A 2012 study showed that people who are practicing GI exhibit higher levels of gyrification — the “folding” of the cerebral cortex as a result of growth, which in turn may allow the brain to process information faster and has a positive impact on making decisions, forming memories and improving attention.

Research Findings: Brain

Body mind exercises has been linked to larger hippocampal and frontal volumes of grey matter, resulting in more positive emotions, the retention of emotional stability, and more mindful behaviour.

GI has been linked to dramatic changes in electrical brain activity, namely increased Theta and Alpha EEG activity, which is associated with wakeful and relaxed attention.

Integration/InterpretationTalk about the images: ’What have you seen’Draw a picture of the placeFocus on details of the pictureTalk about a personal meaning, colour of the

fearObserve tone of voice, body language of the

child

Simple Imagery for Young Children

Hold an orange in your hand, look at the colour, try to feel the texture, open the orange and smell the fragrance and then take a piece of the orange into your mouth.

• How does the fear look like?

• What kind of symbol/image comes in your mind?

• Where do you feel the anxiety in your body?

• Try to release the fear with your exhale.

• Think about a powerful image/symbol when you breath in.

Peaceful Place Imagery/ Demonstration

Please close your eyes if you want to (you can pay better attention to your self) and open your inner eyes. You may want to remove your glasses if you are wearing some.Try to sit straight with the hands rest on your chest or abdomen so that you can feel the movement of your breathing.Shift your weight so that it is comfortable for you.Please concentrate on my voice.

Holistic learning/Imagery learningCarl Rogers was interested in meaningful holistic learning

rather than pure intellectual learning.

Combine images with words, numbers or formulas.

Write the word confidence on your famous staffed animal.

Write the word fire on a big red balloon.

confidence

fire