by icuabbie

Are there any nurses out there that are using guided imagery or interactive guided imagery with patients? I'm certified in Interactive Guided Imagery(sm) through the Holistic Nurses Association. If you are out there I'd be interested to hear from you.

I have used it before

I have used it in the home health setting and found it very helpful.

renerian

I have a support group that meets @ my home monthly for energy workers (Healing Touch practitioners & wanna be's). I open my group with some good guided imagery CD's I picked while @ Harvard in '01. It is a marvelous way relax & center the group for the practice @ hand. I have used it as well with clients while pulling an arterial sheath & with myself since I am nursing my own injury (torn ACL)---bad for career! Tell me more about the course you took thru AHNA. When I get some $$$ I'm gonna join. I am taking the modules for HNC in Atlanta, going for 2nd one in Jan.

I've used it in my practice while in Hospice and as homecare IV RN admiministering Chemo and blood products.

Power in using the body to heal has been done through the centuries.

more on Interactive Guided Imagery

Nice to see more responses on this. I have to leave for work in about 30 minutes so I'll post more on IAGI tomorrow. It's different from guided imagery and a great tool. Bye

I look forward

I look forward to learning more about your other process.

renerian

I saw a nurse on the L and D unit do this with a laboring mother, it was absolutely fascinating.

IAGI

It really is an awesome process. Interactive varies from guided imagery in that is an interactive process between the guide and the client or patient. Once the client is in a relaxed state the guide facilitates the inner experience or work that the client needs help with. There are a lot of clinical applications of IAGI, such as;

relaxation and stress reduction
reducing anxiety
pain and symptom relief
preparation for labor and delivery
preparation for sugery and procedures
potentiating the action of medication and treatments
minimizing side effects
dealing with chronic illness
empowering the patient
tolerating difficult procedures
accessing inner wisdom and guidance
accessing insights and information concerning a particular problem or situation
active participation in the healing process
addressing emotional expression or release
exploration/understanding of parts and aspects of the self
finding meaning in illness or crisis and enhancing coping skills

Most nurses have the qualities to be a great guide. The process is always client oriented, generated and directed. Here's an short example:

1. Discuss the presenting situation or problem. Ask permission to explore this in imagery to aid in understanding.
2. Facilitate a relaxed, inner focused state.
3. Ask for an image to come to mind for ___(the pain/problem)
4. Ask the person to observe and describe the image in detail. What does it look like? What is the color, shape, size?
5. Ask the client what qualities or characteristics the image seems to embody or convey. The image may have certaiin feelings.
6. Find out what feelings or emotions arise for the person as they are exploring this image.
7. Faciliate a dialogue/open communication between the person and the image. Encourage expression of feelings between the two. The person may want to ask questions or find out more about the image. Perhaps why is this image here? What does it want or need? What does it have to share or say? If it's an image of pain or symptom, what does it need to be relieved or alleviated? In order to facilitate the communication, you can suggest "Give it a voice and let it respond." or "let it respond in a way you can understand.
8. Working with whatever time frame you have, let the person know that the imagery will need to be brought to a close soon. Keep in mind the resolution may not happen in one session and that this is an exploratory technique to learn and understand more about what may be going on for this person at this time. Provide closure and come back to a waking, alert state.

There are many specific techniques for specific goals. It is really sacred work when you can help someone get in touch with their subconcious and help them gain insight. Here's a quote from the class.
"Each patient carries his own doctor inside of him. They come to us not knowing that truth. We are at our best when we give the doctor who resides within each patient a chance to go to work."
---Albert Schweitzer---
Abbie

guided imagery

I have used guided imagery with good success. I have made tapes for other nurses, who were in crisis, or had health concerns. I am not certified, but would LOVE to know how to become so. I have lead guided imagery groups with Psych. patients at Florida Hospital. The feedback I get is " your a natural"

Regards,
Christina R.N.

I'm not certified, but believe in it myself, and have used it in the ER for pain relief until I can get the MD to see a patient and eval them.