Guided Imagery for Solving Behavioral Problems

Guided imagery can be quite handy for finding the reasons behind negative behavioral patterns that people struggle with, and changing them. One way this can be done is to do an inner journey in which you meet “a part of yourself” that runs the pattern and address it directly. Let’s say that you have a pattern of talking too much, and you’re aware of it, but find it hard to stop. In a guided process you might address the part of yourself that does this, perhaps identifying it as your “Over-Talker”. Once you’re in a state of deep relaxation, you might say, “Over-Talker, why do you monopolize conversations the way you do?” The answers you get may be surprising, or they may be surprisingly simple!  

For example, sometimes over-talkers suffer from a desperate need to feel heard and understood, and sometimes they feel an obsessive need to stay in control of every interaction. Your guided exploration can provide insight into the motivation behind the behavior, as well as the reasons behind the motivation.

Once you know what’s behind the behavior, you have the opportunity to do some negotiation. For example, you might explain to that part of yourself that, sure, sometimes people don’t listen to you, but people might like you better if you listened to them more. And if that part of you would agree to back off a little, you would be willing to spend some time working on expressing yourself in other ways, like music, art or writing, that would allow your feelings to be seen and heard. This is a kind of “two way” dialog with yourself, using guided imagery. Your “over-talker” might show you images, or give you feelings, or even speak to you in words.

This is an example of guided imagery that’s best done with another person -- preferably someone trained in this kind of work -- rather than with a pre-made recording. That way your helper can guide you during the session based on your immediate responses, instead of following a set script.

For guided imagery programs that can help with general relaxation, de-stressing, and help get you in touch with your own inner healing capabilities, check out those listed below and on the left side of the page.