About fifteen years ago we started a company called Synergy Seminars and created a program to certify people to become Guided Imagery Therapists. We are one of just a hand full of national programs that advertise and provide this type of training. Also, we are one of just a few that will train laypersons, as well as professionals in the health care field.

In traveling the country, attending conferences and doing seminars, we have had the privilege of meeting thousands of people who knew of guided imagery, by one name or another, and have experienced it many times, even using it with clients or friends. When questioned about where they learned it, most laughed and said they'd had no formal training, didn't even know such training existed, or had just learned by having the experience themselves. They found it to be very relaxing, and used the technique with clients.

Many of these people have decided to be certified with us, and we have often been told that even people who felt very comfortable using guided imagery on a consistent basis report that, I had no idea of the depth and power of imagery for resolving past traumas, healing physical illness and correcting false belief systems that were controlling my life. I just used it for general relaxation or stress reduction and providing positive affirmations. All good uses, by the way, but they are barely scratching the surface of possibilities.

Professional therapists with years of personal therapy behind them have shared with us, I've worked on this issue for years and felt I had come to a place of understanding and healing a long time ago, but I've never had the depth of healing and change that I've experienced with your imagery.

In creating this certification program and presenting our unique approach called IntraPersonal Imagery, one of our strongest motivations was to teach people by experiencing guided imagery themselves. Anyone who hasn't experienced imagery's powerful access to the unconscious for life changing results will be limited in their ability to take clients to that place of wisdom within.

. It is safe to say that most, if not all of our graduates, feel there has been a significant change in every aspect of their personal lives as a result of this training. The second motivation is to provide the skills, theory and structure to do imagery well, with a sense of confidence and experience necessary to work with clients on any level that is required.

But foremost, there is an incredible mind-body connection, and through imagery, we can not only heal emotionally, but physically. In changing belief systems and literally 'talking' to any imbalance or health issue, we can give back to the body the permission to heal. The body knows exactly how to maintain good health, if we'll just get out of our own way.

This book is essentially an expanded version of our certification program, teaching the history and background of imagery and how it connects with dreams and mythology, providing psychological theory and values for living a rich and balanced life. We provide our students with the opportunity to experience twelve group imageries that are geared to personal growth and insight, plus three demonstrations of a one-on-one imagery and how it differs from the group experience.

The major difference between group and one-on-one imagery is simple. In the group imagery, you can use a prepared script to provide a complete experience for any number of people at the same time. In facilitating group imageries in our seminars, everyone experiences the adventure silently. We allow time after the experience for participants to write down what they saw and felt, and then open a group discussion for individuals to share. This dialogue can provide new insights and help interpret the messages and the true meaning of the imagery. Analyzing the experience, similar to analyzing a dream, can bring profound new information.

Since we are told through modern research that the brain cannot distinguish between what's real and what's imagined, we can re-frame past traumas, change belief systems and bring about physical healing through the journey of our imaginations.

In group imagery, even though everyone all heard the same script, each person will have their own private experience. For instance, if a group of ten people are asked to see a horse, they would all see a very unique horse, with various sizes, colors, personalities and environments. Understanding the symbolism of perhaps a large, powerful horse in an open meadow versus a skittish animal in a small corral could provide insight into where the listener is in their life right now.

One-on-one imagery is very different, in that after you have relaxed the client and put them in a place of peace, perhaps a meadow or at the beach, the therapist and client can then begin a dialogue with each other. Using the example of a horse, the therapist could ask, "Describe the horse to me", and then follow the client as the story unfolds.

If you've ever searched the internet looking for guided imagery, you're probably aware that there are thousands of people and organizations listed offering some type of guided imagery service. What they all call imagery is probably as varied in approach and method as each of the people offering it. We often say to our clients, there is no wrong way to do imagery and whatever you see or experience is personal to you and not to be judged. We also don't choose to judge others who are providing the services of imagery or their approach. We don't wish to compare ourselves and our work to others.

This book is designed to share our personal approach, what we call IntraPersonal Imagery, the essence of what we teach in our certification program. IntraPersonal Imagery is our process of guided imagery, culled and refined for over 40 years.

If you are now using guided imagery or are interested in learning to use it as a complementary tool in your work as any type of health practitioner, both holistic and allopathic, this book can be a great service to you. We will offer you a complete tool box of ideas and approaches that will enable you to create your own individual imageries, or how to use scripts written by others and get the best results in helping clients.

One of the most important features of this book is that we will provide you with a basic structure that can be used with any imagery, whether it's a group experience or one-on-one. In the one-on-one session, even though you are following the client, we will give you the framework so that you are always aware of the goals and purpose of your imagery and provide you with certain tools you can use to arrive at the best destination for the client. With this basic structure as support, you can create your own imageries for any client and any situation.

This is a book for the polarized world of today; a world that is caught up in all the power struggles that separate and divide us. Teaching the uses of guided imagery, with its instant access to the unconscious, we can uncover the false belief systems, unfinished business of the past and explore the real reasons for this polarization in our personal lives, as well as on our planet.

From discovering the true issues of one's life, to a final resolution of making peace with personal pain, this book will provide theory and direction in a simple and straightforward approach. With both theories and communication skills, we will provide a new and gentle approach for breaking down defenses, knowing and expressing your own truth. This approach expresses an openness to encouraging change in others by changing the way you present and change yourself.

In addition, as you help heal others by using imagery to explore the unfinished issues from the past found in the unconscious mind, you will find yourself using these same skills and wisdom in your everyday exchanges with others.

This is a handbook for creating and using the powerful and mystical techniques of guided imagery to heal both physical and emotional issues, but it is also a handbook for living a balanced life of gentleness, love, tolerance and understanding; a world that doesn't judge character, but values differences.

It is our hope that this introduction has given you some insight as to how this book can be a value to increase your knowledge of the wonderful, healing, mystical, sometimes miraculous, world of guided imagery.