The essential role of mental imagery in cognitive behaviour therapy: What is old is new again
Abstract
ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to highlight the important role of mental imagery in contemporary cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT).MethodIn this narrative review, we define mental imagery based on cognitive science research, present the rationale for the incorporation of mental imagery within CBT, and outline four key applications of mental imagery within CBT practice (i.e., imagery‐enhanced thought records, imagery‐enhanced behavioural experiments, imaginal facilitation of behaviour change, and imagery rescripting), including emerging research supporting these varied applications.ResultsMental imagery is highly relevant to CBT practice because (a) it is a transdiagnostic cognitive maintaining factor of psychopathology; (b) it promotes cognitive specificity when working with clients; and (c) the emotional amplification properties of mental imagery, and its impacts on motivation and behaviour, make imagery a powerful facilitator of cognitive, affective, and behavioural change. Emerging research is promising regarding the potential for imagery to enhance treatment outcomes. However, further research is required to guide clinicians regarding how to best facilitate imagery interventions to maximise outcomes.ConclusionsImagery‐focused interventions are an essential part of a CBT practitioner's therapeutic repertoire. Mental imagery has the capacity to bring CBT to life, facilitating conditions important for engaging and effective psychotherapy.
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Anxiety patients often report vivid and distressing mental images of threat related to past aversive events or anticipated future threat.
“previous research showed that anxiety patients often report vivid and distressing mental images of threat [23, 24], related to past aversive events (“flash-backs”) or, likely more importantly, anticipated future threat (i.e., “flash-forwards”) [25, 26].”
Distressing images of threat related to the future or past may maintain anxiety symptomatology or impede exposure therapy.
“Distressing images of threat related to the future or past may maintain the anxiety symptomatology or impede exposure therapy.”
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“Indeed, previous research showed that anxiety patients often report vivid and distressing mental images of threat [23, 24], related to past aversive events (“flash-backs”) or, likely more importantly, anticipated future threat (i.”
Background
- Authors
- Saulsman, L. M., Ji, J. L., & Mcevoy, P. M.
- Affiliations
- The University of Western Australia (AU)
- Curtin University (AU)
- Corresponding author
- Saulsman, Lisa M.
- Venue
- Australian Psychologist
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2019-08-01
- Volume
- 54
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 237-244
- ISSN
- 0005-0067 (ISSN-L)
- 1742-9544
- OpenAlex
- W2943697102
- Cited by
- 49
- References
- 37
- Citations by year
- 2026: 2 · 2025: 15 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 6 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 3
- FWCI
- 4.71
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Licence
- Locations
- Australian Psychologist (publishedVersion)
- UWA Profiles and Research Repository (UWA) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Anxiety, Depression, Psychometrics, Treatment, Cognitive Processes
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychological Treatments and Assessments
- Keywords
- mental imagery, cognitive behavioral therapy, imagery rescripting, thought records, behavioural experiments, imaginal exposure, behavior change, emotional amplification, motivation, transdiagnostic factors, psychotherapy engagement
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