An historical survey of mental imagery techniques in psychotherapy and description of the dialogic imagery method

This paper will present a method of guided imagery practiced by the author within the context of psychosynthesis. This method, which we have called "Dialogic Imagery", will be placed in historical context. It will be described and compared to other major schools of mental imagery within the practice of psychotherapy and personal growth. The discussion will be limited to imagery techniques of an extended nature - i.e. ones in which the subject remains in an altered state of consciousness over a period of time which may vary from thirty minutes to an hour or more. The relationship of this method to the principles of psychosynthesis will be discussed, along with guidelines for practice. A series of transcribed sessions is included with a commentary on the interventions of the guide as well as the psychodynamic content.