Introducing Imagination-Focused Therapy

In our first article, entitled, Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT): An Introduction, we:

1. Provided a background for the term and the modality
2. We included a list of 11 current available treatment modalities that would go under the category of the broad definition of Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT); and
3. We provided the rationale for the use of Imagination-Focused Therapy as a stand-alone modality; and the rationale for coining the term

We also:

1. Described the overall four goals of Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT)
2. The 7 components of the use of Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) in clinical practice; and
3. Talked about the benefits of helping individuals make optimal use of the cognitive faculty of imagination

In this current article, we are going to continue by providing some form of education on Imagination-Focused Therapy.

Are there any successful clinical cases that are already available from using Imagination-Focused Therapy?

One of the best advantages of Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) is that it can be used either as an episodic intervention during treatment[1], while using a different primary treatment modality; or as the main or primary treatment modality; or as a combination of both.

We, at the SWEET Institute have been, informally, using Imagination-Focused Therapy. Through this use, we have developed a deeply intellectual understanding of the use of the cognitive faculty of imagination, learning the science of imagination[2], and becoming familiar with the scientific literature. We have also been able to develop an experiential understanding of the use of the cognitive function of imagination, having used it, ourselves, on a personal level, and in our own clinical practice, both with great success.

In clinical care, we use interventions that are based on our specified definition of Imagination-Focused Therapy often as an adjunctive treatment. At other times, we also use it as the main treatment modality. In both instances, we have been successful in a variety of contexts. These contexts include and are not limited to:

1. Relationship challenges (including couples and family therapy)
2. Low self-esteem and/or unrecognized self-help
3. Sleep difficulties
4. Somatic symptoms, (like headache, back pain, abdominal pain, or sore throat)
5. Financial difficulties
6. Goal setting and achievement
7. Depression
8. Anxiety or fear
9. Habit formation
10. Work performance
11. Career success or transitions
12. Personal and professional development
13. Planning
14. Stress reduction
15. Burnout prevention and/or management
16. Procrastination
17. Grief, mourning, and loss
18. Coaching

How does Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) differ from the other treatment modalities that make use of the cognitive function of imagination?

1. As a broad term, Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) is used to represent the group of therapeutic modalities that make use of the cognitive faculty of imagination
2. When specifically defined, Imagination-Focused Therapy also refers to the specific modality that helps individuals use their cognitive faculty of imagination to help effect changes in their lives. As such, Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) primarily focuses on helping individuals to:
3. Learn about their faculty function of imagination[3]
4. Increase their awareness on how they have been using it
5. Learn how to reap its infinite benefits
6. Learn how to implement its use in every single aspect of their lives

The difference, then, between Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) as a category of modalities, and Imagination-Focused Therapy as a stand-alone modality lies in these specific four goals, and in the specific 7 components of its clinical implementation, outlined in the previous article, Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT): An Introduction.  

How can more clinicians start to use Imagination-Focused Therapy in their practice?

In our previous article we mentioned that the SWEET Institute has been established with the following in mind:

1. Provide the best possible environment for our all clinicians for their personal and professional development, learning the best possible skills to best benefit their clients, and to help their clients end their suffering and develop their fullest potential, through the process of empowerment, self-actualization, and self-transcendence
2. Bridge the gap between the latest scientific developments and the practice of clinical care, making translational science available for clinicians and clients to benefit from
3. Disseminate tools that will make it easier for clinicians, health administrators, agencies, and clients alike to promote preventive-based measures, recovery-oriented care, and trauma-informed care, in addition to person-centered care, and a strength-based model

We then described that as part of this mission, the SWEET Institute has been relentlessly searching, exploring, and finding what works best to then make it available to clinicians, their clients, their agencies, and healthcare leaders. This is the fundamental behind the introduction of Imagination-Focused Therapy, and we hope you will join us, learn with us, and then make use of this treatment modality, whereby helping your patients and clients end their suffering, live a life of satisfaction, of happiness, and of success.

As a clinician, you can start using Imagination Focused Therapy in your practice by taking the following steps:

1. Learn about the science of imagination[4]
2. Obtain the experiential understanding of how you, just like everyone else, may have been using your own cognitive faculty of imagination[5]
3. Start to use your imagination with more awareness and to effect changes in your own life
4. Learn how to help your clients do the same

Our 4-week Imagination-Focused Therapy Certificate Course is designed to help

1. With the 4 overall goals of Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT)
2. The 4 steps for you, clinician to be able to use Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) in clinical care; and
3. The 7 required components of Imagination-Focused Therapy (IFT) in clinical practice

Are you ready to learn these innovative tools to further help your clients?

If so, click here to join us now!

[1] Koh, C.Y. “The Battle between Episodic Care Versus Care Continuum.” LinkedIn, 18 Dec. 2018, https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/battle-between-episodic-care-versus-continuum-c-y-koh/.

[2] Rowe, Dorothy. “Science and imagination.” Number 329–May 2020 329 (2020): 20.

[3] Warnock, Mary, and Jean-Paul Sartre. The psychology of the imagination. Routledge, 2013.

[4] Tateo, Luca. “What imagination can teach us about higher mental functions.” Psychology as the science of human being. Springer, Cham, 2016. 149-164.

[5] Roth, Ilona. Imaginative minds. Vol. 147. Oxford University Press, 2007.