The Art of living and Imagery

Essence and techniques of imagery in counselling and therapy

 

In person training London UK organized by Psychosynthesis Trust

Everything one does in life is driven by its image. The inner world of images is the playing field of one’s motives, desires, possibilities, obstacles and trauma’s. With imagery, your client can learn to navigate that inner world and access her/his vital life resources and learn to  apply those in the world in which she/he lives.

The main techniques and interventions of imagery are practiced and deepened in this training. The finer points of the various imagery techniques, practicing and learning to apply them with clients are central.

A theoretical framework, drawn from transpersonal and multi-cultural perspectives, and case studies will be presented. Most of the training consists of practicing the different imagery approaches and discussing the experiences of the participants.

Special attention will be given to the attitude of the coach, counselor or therapist.

After the second day of the training participants will be invited to try out the different tools and exercises with clients or volunteers. On day three there will be super- and intervision of the these assignments as well as a deepening of the different imagery approaches and of the attitude of the counsellor or therapist.

 

Goal

Learning to use imagery interventions and techniques for application in coaching, counselling, therapy, training, supervision.

 

Target audience

Counsellors, therapists, coaches, supervisors, trainers, mediators and professionals in HRM and other fields.

 

With imagery you learn clients to navigate in the arena of conscious and unconscious self-images, motivations and talents, in order to solve their problems or challenges.

The first step (stage) is getting to know what lives inside and how that influences behavior and perception with regard to the theme or problem at hand. Learning to coordinate and direct oneself through the imagery techniques and creating what is needed are the next steps (second and third stage). The concrete application and integration of the imagery in daily life are a necessary and essential part of the process.

 

The following topics will be treated:

 

• A broad spectrum of imagery techniques; including entrance, exploration of a theme, dialogue, identification, creative and expressive methods, imaginary helping beings, concretization and application in daily life.

 

• Spontaneous and directive imagery, receptive and active imagery.

 

• Indications and contraindications.

 

• Task and problem level; depth level; trance consciousness.

 

• I-strength and ability to integrate imagery.

 

• The values of resistance and obstacles and how to deal with those.

 

• Metaphors, symbols and archetypal imagery.

 

• Combining different imagery techniques.

 

• The influence of the facilitator’s own process (countertransference).

 

• The role of imagery in transpersonal and positive psychology, shamanism and sacred plantheailing.

 

After the training:

 

• The participant has gained insight into the value of imagery in counselling and therapy processes;
• The participant has learned a wide spectrum of imagery methods and techniques for application in the practice of her/his field of work;
• The participant has gained insight into how she/he can apply and dose imagery in a counselling or therapeutic process, and gained insight into the dynamics, possibilities, limitations and pitfalls of imagery;
• The participant is able to employ imagery applications in the context of her/his field of work.

 

Information and tickets: www.psychosynthesistrust.org.uk

 

 

About Jan Taal

Jan Taal (1949) is practicing healthcare psychologist and trainer at the Amsterdam School for Imagery since 1980.

He studied Psychology at the University of Amsterdam (1973-1976) and Clinical Psychology at the University of Leiden (1976-1979). He was trained in Psychosynthesis in the Netherlands and Italy (1978-1982).

Prior to Psychology Jan studied Cultural Anthropology. He wandered in Afghanistan, the mountains of North-West Pakistan, India and Nepal (1969-1973). During this fieldwork Jan had many adventures and significant encounters. It led him to study Eastern and Western Spiritual Traditions, Sufism, Jungian and Transpersonal Psychology and Traditional Medicine and in the last decade rituals of traditional planthealers in the Amazon region in South America.

In order to stimulate the coping ability and resilience in people with cancer Jan was in 1987 co-founder of the Foundation Cancer in Images (Stichting Kanker in Beeld) of which he was the first chairman. This foundation promotes the use of imagery and creativity in many ways, imagining, drawing, painting, sculpting, writing, poetry, singing, etcetera. In collaboration with the Dutch Cancer Society Jan coordinated two large manifestations in the Old Church of Amsterdam, groundbreaking events full of art and performances of people coping with cancer.

In 2009 Jan started the Imagery Toolbox Project. The aim and purpose of the toolbox is to provide easily accessible and versatile imagery and creativity tools for coping with illness or a  crisis, so that these means become available to an ever larger number of people and can be put to extensive use within the healthcare system. To gain a permanent place in the ‘mainstream’ of healthcare is the long-term goal of the Imagery Toolbox project. In 2017 the third edition of the toolbox was launched: www.imagerytoolbox.com

In 2021 the free online imagery tool Strengthen yourself in times of uncertainty or fear was launched by Jan and his collegues.

Jan has been guest trainer and keynote speaker in conferences and institutes in the Netherlands, Europe, North America and Pakistan. In 2002 and 2007 he did a pilot study regarding the possibilities and results of imagery in the remote mountains of the Hindukush (Central Asia) with literate and illiterate people. In the tribal Pathan areas of Malakand Jan has been involved in the development of special education for girls from the poorest families since 2002. He is secretary of the Foundation Girls Education Pakistan (Stichting Meisjesonderwijs Pakistan).

Contact: JanTaal@imaginatie.nl

https://imagerytoolbox.com

www.imaginatie.nl