What is Guided Visualisation?

Guided visualisation is a form of meditation in which the therapist guides the client through a positive journey of the mind.

Scenes and events familiar to the client can be recalled as the information comes from deep in the subconscious mind. The body cannot differentiate between reality and thoughts so if the mind imagines positive calming events, the body responds in healthy ways.

Having Guided Visualisation

Close your eyes. Breathe in slowly.
Let your breath out slowly.
Again: in..... out.....
Again, even more slowly: in...... out.....
Try to imagine that your stresses, your anxieties, are rolling off your head, down your shoulders, down your arms, and falling away to the floor.
Find a calm centre inside yourself. Keep your eyes closed.

Guided visualisation directly affects the emotional control centre of the brain by sending it positive messages. These messages then travel to the immune system and autonomic nervous system which in turn can help to:

Lower psychological distress.
Reduce chronic pain.
Decrease blood pressure.
Reduce distress in pre-operative patients.
Help with depression and various mood disorders.
Prevent or lighten migraines or other headaches.
Ease stress and anxiety.