Self-Regulation for Immune System Disorders Patricia Norris, Ph.D., Life Sciences Institute of Mind-Body Health, Topeka, Kansas

Visualization and Imagery:

Visualization and imagery are directed toward the specific healing process, and as a vehicle for conscious-unconscious communication of psychological and physiological processes. From the very beginning of therapy we make it clear that there is an inextricable connection of visualized imagery with biofeedback. In simplest terms, visualization tells our bodies what to do, and biofeedback tells us how well the body carries out our instructions.

It is necessary to differentiate between two complementary concepts, visualization and imagery. Visualization is the consciously chosen, intentional instruction to the body. Imagery is the spontaneously occurring, "appearing in consciousness" modifier, qualifier, or belief emerging from the unconscious. A two-way communication exists between visualization and imagery. Visualization acts as a message to the unconscious, which includes the subcortical parts of the brain, especially the limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary axis. On the other hand, spontaneously arising images are messages from the unconscious to the cortex, to consciousness, and, like dreams, carry insights and symbolic meanings.

In starting out with a client, it is necessary to explore whatever conscious and unconscious imagery already exists regarding internal states of health and disease, what they imagine is presently occurring in their own body. Ready-made visualizations on video and audio cassettes, however much touted, are of only limited value, or of value only as examples for forming individualized imagery that matches the patient's own unconscious beliefs and conscious knowledge, about what is actually happening in their own body. Often it is necessary to help a client modify, or reinterpret, seriously misunderstood imagery or fearful fantasies about what may be occurring.

The goal of this first stage is to help the client be realistic about what the condition actually is, neither exaggerated or minimized, and to be optimistic about what can occur. In other words, a crucial part of self-regulation for amelioriation of immune system disorders is development of one's own individual visualization, using internal symbology which has deep unconscious personally unique meanings.

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