Imagery Rescripting: An Effective Therapeutic

Technique

In 1999, Mervin Smucker, Ph.D., released a book that he co-authored with Constance V. Dancu,

Ph.D., entitled Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma: Imagery,

Rescripting, and Reprocessing. The book represents a cumulative effort of several years'

worth of research and writing. It describes a therapeutic technique conceived by Dr. Smucker

called imagery rescripting.

During imagery rescripting treatment, the patient is asked to consciously envision traumatic images

and scenes buried in nightmares or deep memory. The resulting images are then changed to allow for more positive outcomes and a feeling of control, altering the ultimate perception of the

event. Well-received by the academic community, Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment for Adult Survivors of Childhood Trauma: Imagery,

Rescripting, and Reprocessing and the technique are regularly used to aid in the treatment of

post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).