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Guided Imagery in Couple and Family Therapy

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Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy

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Synonyms

Mental imagery; Mental representation; Visualization

Introduction

Guided imagery is a cognitive behavioral technique in which the therapist guides a client through a series of positive images or positive outcomes. This process, sometimes known as positive suggestion, involves the therapist directing the client to imagine a positive outcome of some type, usually relating to mental or physical health (Sherman and Fredman 1986, p. 58). This technique serves a number of different uses in therapy. Numerous studies provide evidence of guided imagery’s effectiveness for such issues as coping with stress, reframing painful memories, opening up emotionally, discovering one’s values, connecting spiritually, finding comfort in one’s interpersonal relationships, and increasing the quality of those relationships (Kayser et al. 2010; Wadsworth et al. 2011; Roland 2002; Scuka 2012; Wheeler 1982; Leedes 1999; Sell et al. 2018).

Theoretical Framework

Guided Imagery originates from a Cognitive...

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References

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Danielle A. Black

  2. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA

    Angelina M. Ziegler & Danielle A. Black

Authors
  1. Angelina M. Ziegler
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  2. Danielle A. Black
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Angelina M. Ziegler .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Jay L. Lebow

  2. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Anthony L. Chambers

  3. The Family Institute at Northwestern University, Center for Applied Psychological and Family Studies, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, USA

    Douglas C. Breunlin

Section Editor information

  1. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Brian Baucom

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Ziegler, A.M., Black, D.A. (2019). Guided Imagery in Couple and Family Therapy. In: Lebow, J.L., Chambers, A.L., Breunlin, D.C. (eds) Encyclopedia of Couple and Family Therapy. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-49425-8_84

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