Safe Place Image Technique

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The “Image of a Safe Place” technique helps to relax, restore calmness and strength.

Did you know that a sense of calmness, a sense of relaxation and comfort becomes real if you create it in your imagination? The effect is enhanced by expressing an imaginary image in creativity.

In psychotherapy of stress, fear, anxiety, tension, neurosis, there is a technique called "Image of a safe place." This is a visualization (representation) of a place that you associate with calmness, safety, comfort.

It can be a blooming meadow warmed by the warm sun. Or the seashore with a refreshing breeze and the cry of seagulls. Or a cozy home where you feel protected.

Any place where you can completely relax.

How do you use this technique?

Create an image of a safe place in your imagination. It can be a real image, the place where you once were or from time to time. You can also come up with your own safe place, which you have not been, but would like to visit.

Visualize your surroundings. What's in this image? What makes you feel comfortable?

Imagine yourself in this place. Where are you at? What are they wearing? What do you need to add to make you feel good in this place?

Express the image of a safe place in your creativity. It can be a drawing, photograph, or sculptural composition. I have expanded my arsenal of material for creativity. Yesterday I bought wax plasticine and modeling dough for my office. And I have already tried it in practice. I and the people who performed this technique with me felt inspiration, lightness, and a calming effect.

Remember the feelings and sensations in the body as you visualize. You will be able to recreate the image of a safe place. Or look at it in a picture, photograph and sculpture. It is recommended to do this every time disturbing thoughts, fantasies, memories, unpleasant emotions arise.

The image of a safe place also helps with desensitization. This is a technique for reducing fear, anxiety and other unpleasant emotions in relation to a situation, a person (people), and other objects. It is better to do it in conjunction with a psychologist. In the process of this technique, you need to consciously imagine a frightening object, track feelings and sensations (starting from 10 seconds with a gradual increase in time to 30 seconds). And then switch to the image of a safe place and relax. And so 3-4 times per session.