The power of imagery: Recollections

Abstract

The author recalls her experiences with imagery from the pioneering and experimental workshops of the 1970s to more recent times. The word ‘imagery’ is used here in its broadest sense to include not only visual images but also those which are related to other senses. The techniques include spot imaging, guided fantasy, spontaneously occurring images, and dreams, all of which are capable of leading to therapeutic insights, thereby revealing that there is an unconscious source of intuitive wisdom. The recognition of sub-personalities is cited as an example. The importance of good recording is emphasised. Most of the examples are taken from her own experiences as a workshop participant and from her own dreams and self-analysis. This last carries a warning about the use of imagery in unsupervised self-analysis because of the danger of dredging up material which one is unable to handle alone. The lack of professional regulation in the 1970s gave rise to some negative experiences because of the lack of understanding of the power of evoked imagery.