110 Guided Imagery: Beyond Procedural Fear and Pain - Techniques For Children, Adolescents and You, the Health Professional

Abstract

'You have had blood tests before, haven't you?' �_oYeah, but never this exciting!�__ The response to the question quoted above came from an 11 year-old boy with special needs following his venepuncture 'in imagery'. The procedure was 'exciting' because he was playing his favourite game - cricket. He hit a fantastic score, got 'run out' and won the game, all in the space of seven (7) minutes from the beginning to the end of the procedure. Guided Imagery is a therapeutic technique that enables a topdown shift in experience from pain and fear to a chosen reality in imagery. It is used to help a child gain a sense of being in control in the face of fear, anxiety and pain during medical procedures. This presentation will include: �_� an overview of guided imagery �_� video of a child undergoing a procedure in imagery; �_� mindfulness and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy - ACT (Hayes & Smith, 2005) in relation to procedural pain and fear; and, �_� moving from patterns of 'avoidance and bravery' to 'acceptance and achievement' in managing pain. Delegates attending this presentation will have an opportunity to engage in a mindfulness exercise