Imagery Therapy Cuts Fear of Failure in 180-Participant Trial, With Effects Lasting 6 Months
Updated
Updated · ScienceDaily · Aug 18
Imagery Therapy Cuts Fear of Failure in 180-Participant Trial, With Effects Lasting 6 Months
3 articles · Updated · ScienceDaily · Aug 18
Summary
A randomized trial of 180 adults aged 18 to 35 found imagery-based therapy reduced fear of failure tied to childhood criticism, with gains still visible at three- and six-month follow-ups.
Four sessions over two weeks also lowered guilt, sadness and physiological stress responses when participants recalled painful memories, suggesting the memories became less emotionally activating.
imagery rescripting asked participants to revisit a distressing scene and imagine a defender confronting the critic and supporting the child; a delayed version was also tested alongside imagery exposure.
Researchers said rescripting worked especially well when it created surprise—a prediction error that may help loosen entrenched emotional patterns and support lasting change.