Introduction & Theoretical Background
There is considerable research showing that imagery can have an enormously powerful effect on our minds and bodies. In CFT, imagery and memories are used to help develop and activate both the soothing system and our compassionate minds. It’s worth noting that imagery and memories encompass not only visual images, but information from our other senses as well, such as sounds, smells, tastes, and feelings.
The Calm Place Imagery exercise is taken from the Psychology Tools For Developing Self-Compassion audio collection. Calm place imagery (sometimes referred to as safe place imagery) is used in many different therapies as a way of helping people to achieve physiological calm and feelings of safeness. In CFT, this imagery is used to trigger, build, and enhance the soothing system. The listener is guided through the development of a calm place that is unique to them, and helped to experience what it might feel like