Quick Overview: Yes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes guided imagery, progressive relaxation, and self-hypnosis as different relaxation techniques. Guided imagery is also called “visualization,” and progressive relaxation is also called progressive muscle relaxation. The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may apply mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. The cited sources provide general descriptions and do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
What Counts as a Relaxation Technique?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes relaxation techniques as practices intended to bring about the body’s “relaxation response.” The organization characterizes that response by slower breathing, lower blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate. It describes the relaxation response as the opposite of the stress response.
The organization lists several different relaxation techniques, including guided imagery, progressive relaxation, self-hypnosis, breathing exercises, autogenic training, and biofeedback-assisted relaxation. Guided imagery, progressive relaxation, and self-hypnosis are each included in that list, with separate descriptions of what they involve.
Guided Imagery and Visualization
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health calls guided imagery “visualization.” It describes guided imagery as picturing objects, scenes, or events associated with relaxation or calmness and attempting to produce a similar feeling in the body.
In this source, the terms guided imagery and visualization appear together as the name of the relaxation technique. The description centers on picturing objects, scenes, or events associated with relaxation or calmness.
Progressive Muscle Relaxation
Progressive relaxation is also called progressive muscle relaxation. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes this technique as tensing different muscles in the body and then releasing the tension.
This description identifies a sequence involving muscles: tensing different muscles and releasing tension. The organization lists progressive relaxation separately from guided imagery and self-hypnosis among its examples of relaxation techniques.
Self-Hypnosis
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health also lists self-hypnosis as a relaxation technique. It states that, in self-hypnosis programs, people learn to produce the relaxation response when prompted by a phrase or nonverbal cue of their own. The organization calls that phrase or cue a “suggestion.”
This source describes self-hypnosis in relation to a phrase or nonverbal cue and the relaxation response. It lists self-hypnosis alongside guided imagery, progressive relaxation, breathing exercises, autogenic training, and biofeedback-assisted relaxation.
Relaxation Techniques and Psychotherapy
The National Institute of Mental Health defines psychotherapy, also called talk therapy, as a variety of treatments that aim to help a person identify and change troubling emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It states that elements of psychotherapy can include applying mindfulness and relaxation techniques, such as meditation and breathing exercises.
The National Institute of Mental Health uses the word “may” when describing psychotherapy’s use of mindfulness and relaxation techniques. Its statement does not establish that every psychotherapy approach includes relaxation practices. It also does not identify what a particular therapist or service includes.
The research notes state that the cited sources do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. This article therefore describes the terms used by the sources without identifying a technique as appropriate for any particular person.
Source-Based Distinctions
The available descriptions identify different activities:
- Guided imagery, or visualization, involves picturing objects, scenes, or events associated with relaxation or calmness and attempting to produce a similar feeling in the body.
- Progressive muscle relaxation involves tensing different muscles and then releasing tension.
- Self-hypnosis programs involve learning to produce the relaxation response when prompted by a phrase or nonverbal cue called a suggestion.
- Psychotherapy may apply mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises.
These statements describe the language in the cited materials. They do not answer whether a particular technique will be used in an individual therapy service or what outcome a person will have.
Practice Note: Rooted Integrative Therapy is the practice of Alina Hovsoyan, LCSW. The practice offers individual therapy, couples therapy, group therapy, and therapy intensives. Its FAQs describe scheduling a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Reflection Questions About Relaxation Practices
The table below uses the source descriptions as prompts for considering the terms in this article. It is not a tool for selecting a treatment or determining personal fit.
| Question to reflect on | Source-based information |
|---|---|
| When I use the word “visualization,” am I referring to guided imagery? | The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health uses guided imagery and “visualization” together. |
| Am I asking about imagery or muscle tension? | Guided imagery involves picturing objects, scenes, or events. Progressive relaxation involves tensing muscles and releasing tension. |
| What does self-hypnosis mean in the cited description? | The source describes producing the relaxation response when prompted by a phrase or nonverbal cue called a suggestion. |
| Am I asking whether psychotherapy may include relaxation techniques? | The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may apply mindfulness and relaxation techniques. |
| What does the available information not answer? | The research notes do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader. |
Questions to Bring to a Consultation
Rooted Integrative Therapy’s FAQs describe a consultation call as an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit. Questions may include:
- How do you use the term relaxation techniques in therapy?
- What do you mean by guided imagery or visualization?
- How do you describe progressive muscle relaxation?
- What do you mean by self-hypnosis in a therapy conversation?
- May I ask about individual therapy and the services your practice offers?
Access Through Rooted Integrative Therapy
Rooted Integrative Therapy offers in-person therapy near Orem and Provo, with virtual therapy across Utah. Its Connect page invites inquiries and appointment requests through the contact details or form on that page.
FAQs
Can relaxation techniques include visualization, muscle relaxation, and self-hypnosis?
Yes. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health identifies guided imagery, progressive relaxation, and self-hypnosis as different relaxation techniques. Guided imagery is also called visualization, and progressive relaxation is also called progressive muscle relaxation.
Is visualization the same as guided imagery?
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health uses guided imagery and “visualization” together. It describes the practice as picturing objects, scenes, or events associated with relaxation or calmness and attempting to produce a similar feeling in the body.
Can psychotherapy include relaxation techniques?
The National Institute of Mental Health states that psychotherapy may apply mindfulness and relaxation techniques, including meditation and breathing exercises. This statement does not establish what a particular therapy approach includes.
Does this article determine which practice fits me?
No. The research notes state that the cited sources do not determine personal fit or outcomes for an individual reader.
Sources and Further Reading
Sources used for this article:
- nccih.nih.gov: Relaxation Techniques What You Need To Know
- National Institute of Mental Health: Psychotherapies
A Grounded Next Step
To request a consultation or send an inquiry, visit Rooted Integrative Therapy’s Connect page. The practice’s FAQs describe a consultation call as the first step, with an opportunity to ask questions and consider fit.
Please do not include urgent or highly sensitive clinical information in a general inquiry.
This article is for general education only. It is not a diagnosis, treatment plan, or substitute for individualized mental-health care. A qualified mental-health professional can help you consider what fits your circumstances.