My inability to see images in my mind has sparked my curiosity.
I can’t create a picture in my mind’s eye. When I close my eyes and try to visualize a walk on a sandy beach, I don’t see the sand or seaweed, hear the waves, smell or taste the salty air, nor feel the gusty wind. I know this experience is relaxing, but there is no calming movie playing in my head.
I’ve never considered this an issue because I didn’t know anything different. The inability to form mental images is called aphantasia, and it was only given a name in 2015. Along with the name came increased interest in both talking about experiences and conducting research.
As a result, I’ve told family members that I don’t see mental images:
“How do you do math? Don’t you see the numbers?”
“So you can’t see your car accident, and I can, even though I wasn’t there and you were?”
“What do you mean that you don’t see mental images? How do you remember anything?”
I will be the first to admit that my memory is not the best! I have learned that autobiographical memory (memory of personal experiences) can be a struggle for people with aphantasia. For example, I can’t see my daughters’ first steps nor hear their first words. Nor do I store a photo album in my mind of the many amazing sights from my travels. And while this can be both sad and frustrating, I realize that I also don’t replay the movies of my failures. But my inability to see my past or imagine my future is not what has sparked my curiosity about aphantasia.
Logosynthesis® and mental imagery.
I am a Master Practitioner and Instructor in Logosynthesis®, a certified model used in coaching, counselling, and psychotherapy. It works by gently identifying and shifting distressing memories and beliefs, which we recognize as mental imagery. The model offers a simple, repeatable technique to relieve distressing thoughts, emotions and physical sensations, supporting both healing and personal growth.
Ten years ago, I was introduced to the founder of Logosynthesis, Dr. Willem Lammers, a Swiss-Dutch psychologist, licensed psychotherapist and trainer with over 40 years of experience in his field. He has trained in many of the leading treatment models in psychotherapy and energy psychology. I was very intrigued by the depth and scope of Willem’s work. While I didn’t personally relate to trauma, I was curious to see if this model could support my personal development, mainly around a longstanding desire to be calmer and more patient. And after 10 years of incorporating it as a healthy lifestyle practice, I am confident with the results.
In many cases, we struggle with an issue for a long time but are not aware of the impact of our memories and beliefs on our distress. It can be difficult to talk about mental imagery, especially if it doesn’t make rational sense or reactivates traumatic experiences. Logosynthesis offers an elegant process to support stress relief and personal growth.
Understanding aphantasia can offer opportunities for personal growth.
As for me, aphantasia hasn’t limited my ability to benefit from using Logosynthesis. I don’t have vivid recall of my memories, beliefs and imagined scenarios, but they are still present. I observe that my energy shifts are more subtle than those of many who have vivid images. Yet, I definitely notice stress relief with calmer thoughts, emotions and physical sensations.
The relationship between mental imagery, emotions and mental health is sparking interest in the scientific research community. Aphantasia and hyperphantasia offer a spectrum of mental imagery by which to measure emotional responses. Studies are showing that the more vivid the imagery, the more intense the emotion. Techniques to shift and reframe mental imagery are being developed, and there are calls for new approaches to resolve distressing mental imagery.
This is what Logosynthesis offers. When distressing memories and beliefs shift, people often report that distressing thoughts, emotions and physical sensations reduce or fall away. Many people report an immediate effect that they experience as sustained. They often experience that the mental imagery does not return in relation to that issue, and that the associated symptoms also reduce or resolve. Of course, there are many layers of memories and beliefs and the work is best done with professional guidance, although it can be learned for self-coaching everyday issues. Mental imagery resolves one issue at a time, and for complex issues, the same process is repeated over time to reach deeper layers.
In my curiosity to better understand what others experienced, in 2017 I surveyed counsellors, coaches and therapists trained in Logosynthesis to understand what they preferred about working with this model. They cited benefits including: the overall results; speed of work; ease of use; client comfort; and it targets the presented issue.
Understanding aphantasia can offer opportunities for personal growth.
Mental imagery is personal. We don’t normally go around talking about the images that we see in our heads. Some are memories of real-life experiences that take us right back to the original event – with all of the same thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. Some are vivid imaginations that don’t make rational sense but can trigger a strong emotional response. Mental imagery is energetic (feeling), and we notice it in our personal space. And from this energetic base, we can use the power of words and intention to shift the energy for what people report as surprising results. Regardless of whether we experience aphantasia, hyperphantasia or somewhere in between, we can work with Logosynthesis to experience stress relief.
How does having a name for my lack of mental imagery affect my everyday life? How does knowing that mental imagery impacts emotions affect me? In some ways, nothing changes. I still can’t visualize a walk on a sandy beach. In other ways, everything changes. I am more aware that others have more vivid memories of family celebrations, outings in nature and special conversations. They may experience stronger emotions in response to these events. It reminds me to pay attention to how I act and react in these moments. And with Logosynthesis, I am now better equipped to notice and shift my own reactive patterns. I am better equipped to take care of my health and well-being. And for me, that makes all the difference!