Theoretical Implications of Imagery and Fantasy Techniques

Singer, Jerome L.

doi:10.1080/00107530.1971.10745219

Cited by 8 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…Its primary focus, much in the tradition of dream theory, is the conceptualization of imagery in terms of the interaction between primary and secondary process. Other comprehensive theories, most notably those of Horowitz (1967, Horowitz, 1968, Horowitz, 1970, Horowitz, 1972a, Horowitz, 1972b) and Singer (1966, 1971a, 1971b, 1974) are consistent with this model. A strength of the conceptual framework proposed here is its rooting in the rich psychoanalytic literature about mental functions and its congruity with current theory and research in cognitive, clinical, and physiological psychology.…”

Section: A Conceptual Modelsupporting

confidence: 55%

“…Early articles in the United States (e.g., Jellinek, 1949) reflected these European styles, but it was not until the 1960s that the transplanting of imagery theories firmly took root, particularly in the influential works of Ahsen (1968Ahsen ( , 1977, Leuner (1969), and Desoille (1965. What has followed has been an explosion of interest in mental imagery (see Klinger, 1980;Sheikh, 1983Sheikh, , 1984Sheikh, , 1985Shorr, 1972Shorr, , 1974Shorr, Connella, Robin, & Sobel, 1979;Singer, 1966Singer, , 1971aSinger, , 1971bSinger, , 1974Singer & Pope, 1978). Many of the new theories and techniques fell into the rather loose category of "psychodynamic" or "insight" therapies rather than into the mainstream of psychoanalytic thinking.…”

Section: The Rebirth Of Imagery Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…At the highest level of directiveness are structured imagery exercises th at are intended to therapeutically correct, rather than simply uncover, intrapsychic dynamics (Ahsen, 1968;Desoille, 1965;Leuner, 1969Leuner, , 1977Shorr, 1972Shorr, , 1974Singer, 1971aSinger, , 1971bSinger, , 1974. Most recently, from a decisively psychoanalytic perspective, Silverman (1987) proposed imagery as an aid in working through unconscious conflicts.…”

Section: Level Of Directivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental imagery in psychoanalytic treatment.

Suler¹

1989

Psychoanalytic Psychology

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Mental imagery techniques may facilitate the therapeutic process by stimulating patients' insight into unconscious dynamics., by helping them uncover and master warded-off affect, and by enhancing the clinician's empathic contact and access to countertransference. The history of imagery techniques in the psychoanalytic movement and the effect of these techniques on the traditional psychoanalytic method are reviewed. A conceptual framework based on the theory of primary and secondary process suggests spontaneity, experiential scope, associative elaboration, and object impact as four dimensions for the clinical evaluation of imagery experience.Mental images are sensory-perceptual experiences in the absence of environmental stimulation. Typically they refer to visualizations, the so-called "pictures in the mind's eye," although, technically, imagery also includes experiences in other sensory modalities, including auditory, tactile, kinesthetic, and olfactory sensations. Psychological research on imagery currently is flourishing, and over the past 20 years, imagery techniques have been developed in various forms of psychotherapy.This article explores psychoanalytic concepts about imagery and the use of imagery techniques in psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy. Although dreams also are imagistic phenomena, they are not the focus of this article. The primary objective is to evaluate the contribution to the therapeutic process of techniques that work with images experienced during the therapy hour. In the first section of this article, I examine the historical background of imagery techniques. In the second section, I focus on the various theoretical and technical issues that have emerged in the literatureparticularly those issues concerning how imagery methods affect the traditional psychoanalytic process. Finally, I propose a conceptual model for Requests for reprints should be sent to

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Section: A Conceptual Modelsupporting

confidence: 55%

Section: The Rebirth Of Imagery Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Level Of Directivenessmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Mental imagery in psychoanalytic treatment.

Suler¹

1989

Psychoanalytic Psychology

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“…Eidetic Psychotherapy developed by Ahsen (1965) is an approach that uses eidetic images, specifically related to vivid memories and uses therapeutic techniques related to bringing forth vivid images from memory. Singer (1971aSinger ( , 1971b) is a two-part extensive review of the literature on image use in psychotherapy. Ericksonian Hypnosis (Erickson & Rossi, 1981) utilizes metaphor and image-based experience as part of a suggestive hypnotic technique.…”

Section: The Rough and Tumble Mind: Where We Go To Play With Imagesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Working with images in psychotherapy: An embodied experience of play and metaphor.

Faranda¹

2014

Journal of Psychotherapy Integration

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This article presents an integrative approach for working with images in psychotherapy. This approach builds upon contemporary neurobiological understandings of the interconnection of the image-making mind with the workings of self, emotion, and body. Through detailed case material and through following the work of neuroscientists such as Damasio and Panksepp, we will arrive at an appreciation for the brain’s innate propensity for play, association, and metaphor. And as the clinical material will show, these image-based processes act as a portal through which patient and therapist are able to experientially engage with the systems of self-representation, self-maintenance, and self-restoration.

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