Imagery and schemas

Having been taught directly by both Ellis and Lazarus in the 1970's, I do not remember either of them using imagery to access early memories, to link current situations with childhood memories, and to link these images to schemas or core beliefs, prior to 1984, when I began teaching about imagery and schemas.

Ellis used imagery more as an extension of traditional cognitive and behavioral methods. ("Rational emotive imagery is a technique in which a client images him/herself thinking, behaving, and feeling the way he/she wishes to" (Corey, 1996b, p. 179.)In fact, Beck himself used imagery for behavioral rehearsal in his early work also.

Lazarus' first book on MMT, I believe, was published in 1989, considerably after I began blending imagery with schema work in 1984. The central issue is not who used imagery first, but rather how imagery was used. If anyone has a reference to the early work of Ellis or Lazarus using imagery in these schematic ways (prior to 1984), please let me know.

To the best of my knowledge, the use of "core" imagery can be traced back most directly to Gestalt therapy (Fritz Perls in the 1960's). Many of the imagery and dialogue techniques in ST are my own integration of a schema-focused conceptual model with Gestalt "technology." I am quite confident that the current use of imagery to access and change core feelings and cognitions are more Gestalt-based (in terms of the original origin) than they are derived from either Ellis or Lazarus. I can say with complete certainty that neither Ellis nor Lazarus had any influence on the use of imagery in ST (although both influenced my early professional development in other ways).

Replies:

Re:Imagery and schemas, by Gerry, 08/06/03

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