Interest in incorporating guided imagery (directing pictures we see in our minds, our feelings, and our inner senses) for healing into hospital settings is growing rapidly in the Bay Area. Marin General Hospital, located in Greenbrae, California, has a newly established program in place that provides free guided imagery sessions (up to 50 minutes) to patients. The program, staffed by nine volunteers (professionals in the field of Psychology, with an average of nine years in private practice), is also being offered to the public on a sliding-scale, the cost of which may be covered by insurance. In addition, support groups and classes are being offered, which utilize and teach imagery skills for those in treatment as well as for those who wish to use imagery as a preventative measure. Brookside Hospital, located in the East Bay, heard about the program at Marin General and now has three volunteers working in their cancer center doing guided imagery.
This remarkable program is the creation of Leslie Davenport, M.S., M.F.C.C. Davenport, currently teaching holistic health and transpersonal Psychology Graduate programs at John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California, is a graduate of the Academy for Guided Imagery in Marin, California. She began working through the Chaplain's office at Marin General Hospital approximately four years ago. Her work there led her to incorporate counseling and guided imagery into the cancer program.
The response she received from the patients and hospital staff was so positive that a year ago, Davenport wrote a formal proposal to the hospital administration to expand the program hospital-wide. After review by various hospital committees, approval was given, and a formal affiliation with the Academy for Guided Imagery was established.
Dr. Martin Rossman, co-director of the Academy, is assisting Davenport in selecting therapists for the program. Dr. Rossman is a leading authority in guided imagery whose 1989 book, "Healing Yourself," is considered a major work in this field. "Imagery is the way we think," said Dr. Rossman. "When we daydream, we're using imagery. The only difference in this setting is that we use imagery to heal." Davenport adds, "We consider guided imagery as one of the doors open to people. When they open that door, it gives them an awareness of their bodies, their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being, and teaches them how to use that awareness to help themselves."
Davenport describes her role in guided imagery as that of a midwife. She finds that people intuitively know what images will help them the most in their healing process. She assists people in relaxing and listening to their bodies to create a dialog that reconnects body, mind, and spirit in a powerful, holistic way.
Many directions may be taken in guided imagery, but all include techniques that produce a state of relaxation. The patient may be asked to be aware of their breath and to let go of physical tensions in a progressive manner. They then may be asked to seek out a familiar and safe place, or a place that gives them a sense of expansiveness. "This setting may be a meadow, a beach, or a mountain (according to the nature and experience of the patient), and provides a sense of protectedness. The technique enables the patient to experience their being in a different way, while providing the opportunity to develop stress-management skills," says Davenport.
Another technique consists of general relaxation imagery and focusing on the area that is causing the problem or pain. By focusing on the problem or pain, the patient can then describe the pain to the counselor and try to associate the pain with a specific image. (See images on previous page.) For example, one patient who responded to the offer for guided imagery, needed help learning how to deal with chronic pain in her hip. she was asked by her physician not to use any pain medication for two weeks prior to her total hip replacement surgery (they wanted her post surgical pain management to be optimal). She was concerned about how she was going to get through the next two weeks without any pain medication and still function. Davenport explained the guided imagery procedure to her, assisted her in relaxing, and asked her to describe a picture of her pain. She described seeing a very sharp knife inserted deep into her hip. Davenport then asked her what she thought she could do to diminish the pain. This brought up an image of putting her hand on the handle of the knife, slowly withdrawing it, and placing it into a leather sheath. When asked if there were any other areas that were painful, the patient described a boulder resting heavily on the muscles in her thigh. She used an image of a crane lifting the weight off of her leg. Utilizing this technique, the patient was able to reduce her pain by forty to sixty percent, thus allowing her to comply with her doctor's request.
The last guided imagery technique used includes general relaxation imagery and then having the patient imagine a wise person or inner-guide that would help them through their healing or pain reduction. The patient would ask the inner guide questions to gain insight into their pain and healing. A recent patient, who was recovering from cancer surgery, was able to visualize a warm, white, comforting light that reduced the pain and swelling at the surgery site. In addition to the physical benefits, he was so grateful for the reconnection he achieved with his body that he was moved to tears.
As this story illustrates, guided imagery empowers the patient to actively particpate in their healing process. The patients learn to cope with stress and pain in a new way. Not only does it reduce their pain and anxiety, it also helps to humanize the high-tech environment of the hospital. The results are astounding, and it only goes to show that there is a need for this ancient therapy. Hopefully in the future, further evidence outlining ALL the benefits of guided imagery will come to light and will aid in the expansion of this essential therapy into a wider arena in the health care field.
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