Mental imagery as a means for transforming emotions in counselling

The current case study demonstrates how mental imagery is used to work with clients experiencing emotional distress. The participants selected for this qualitative case study were two college students with whom the author became acquainted while working as a counselling psychologist in a university counselling centre. This study employed several tools to gather data, including client’s records, personal observations, anecdotal and cumulative records, journal entries, client feedback, and the use of a quantitative measurement. The study results demonstrate a five-phase approach to using mental imagery in counselling sessions with individuals experiencing emotional distress. The phases include: (a) concretisation, (b) personification, (c) reconnecting, (d) understanding, and (e) modification. The findings confirm that mental imagery is a powerful tool for accessing, evoking, and intensifying unacknowledged emotions, and transforming emotional, cognitive, behavioural responses. This exploratory and interpretive study raises opportunities for future research regarding theory development and concept validation.