Ep 130. How Guided Imagery Can Help Heal Trauma, Grief and Guilt

Time may create distance from a traumatic experience, but it does not necessarily resolve the guilt, fear or grief attached to it. In this episode, Christine speaks with clinical psychologist Dr. Chris Cortman, author of The Guided Imagery Cure. Drawing on more than 40 years of clinical practice, he explains how guided imagery can help people actively process unresolved experiences and reach a sense of closure. The conversation explores: Why avoidance can keep traumatic experiences emotionally active What happens when the brain continues to respond from fear and hypervigilance How guided imagery can change the meaning attached to a painful memory Why unresolved experiences often feel like unfinished business When self-regulation may be enough and when professional support is advisable Why trust, connection and emotional safety matter in therapy How grief and trauma can sometimes be reframed into purpose Why hope can change a person’s ability to move forward Dr. Cortman shares several striking cases, including a woman burdened by guilt after her brother’s death, a survivor of suicide loss, and a 100-year-old World War II veteran whose recurring nightmare was resolved after decades. The central message is clear: healing is not passive. It requires the courage to approach what remains unresolved, with appropriate support and in a setting that feels safe. This episode includes discussion of accidental death, suicide loss and wartime trauma.