Anyone practice 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

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