How Our Brains Sort Imagination from Reality – and Why That’s Good News for Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy
Hi - My name is Andy Selway-Woolley (he/him) and I’m a Clinical Solution-Focused Hypnotherapist. I run HeadFirst Hypnotherapy, based in Upper Heyford (near Bicester), Oxfordshire and also work online nationally.
A recent article in New Scientist (June 2025) has revealed new insights into how our brains separate imagination from reality. Researchers at University College London found a pathway that helps us decide whether what we are experiencing is real or created in the mind’s eye. This discovery not only deepens our understanding of the brain but also helps explain why Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy techniques, such as reframing and future pacing, can be so powerful.
The Science Behind Imagination and Reality
The study asked participants to view blocks on a screen and either imagine or actually see diagonal lines across them, while brain scans tracked activity.
The fusiform gyrus became more active when people experienced vivid images, whether or not the lines were real. This area tracks how strongly we “see” something in our imagination.
When activity in the fusiform gyrus crossed a certain threshold, the anterior insula became active, leading people to judge the image as real.
In simple terms, our brains don’t fully distinguish between imagination and reality. Vivid imagery can feel real enough that the brain responds as though it were happening.
Why This Matters for Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy
Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy (SFH) makes deliberate use of imagination. In trance, clients are encouraged to:
Visualise their preferred future – imagining success, calmness, or confidence.
Rehearse positive scenarios – mentally experiencing how they would like to feel in everyday life.
Strengthen belief in possibility – allowing the brain to accept that positive change is achievable.
The new research shows why this works. The fusiform gyrus doesn’t just activate for real experiences – it also lights up for imagined ones. And when those images are vivid enough, the anterior insula treats them as realistic, making the experience neurologically credible.
Reframing, Future Pacing, and Negative Forecasting
Many clients experiencing anxiety are caught in negative forecasting – imagining worst-case scenarios so vividly that their bodies respond with real stress. The brain, unable to fully distinguish imagination from reality, reacts as if the threat is present.
Hypnotherapy helps shift this process:
Reframing provides a new perspective, changing the meaning attached to a situation. This feeds the brain different signals, reducing the sense of danger.
Future pacing encourages clients to imagine success and calmness in upcoming situations. These positive rehearsals strengthen neural pathways linked to confidence and control.
Over time, neuroplasticity allows the brain to rewire. Old circuits of worry weaken, while constructive pathways grow stronger.
Bringing Science and Therapy Together
This research reinforces what many clients already notice during therapy: when you vividly imagine a better version of yourself, your brain begins to believe it is real and possible. Far from being “just in your head,” imagination is a measurable brain process that can shape thoughts, feelings, and behaviour.
By using reframing, future pacing, and guided imagery, Solution-Focused Hypnotherapy taps into this natural mechanism, helping people reduce anxiety, build confidence, and move towards the future they want.
In short, science is confirming what therapists and clients have long observed: imagination changes reality — and with the right focus, it can change it for the better.
References
Dijkstra, N. (2025, June 5). We've figured out how our brains sort imagination from reality. New Scientist. Retrieved from New Scientist website.
This blog is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute therapeutic advice, diagnosis, or a substitute for professional mental health care. The content is based on published research and reflects current academic and clinical perspectives on the role of artificial intelligence in mental health support. Readers are encouraged to seek guidance from a qualified therapist or medical professional for personalised support. This article does not imply or promote the use of AI as a replacement for regulated therapy.
The author is a qualified therapist; however, this blog is not a therapy session, nor does reading it establish a therapeutic relationship.
If you are in emotional distress or experiencing a mental health crisis, please contact your GP, a mental health professional, or an appropriate emergency service.
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My name is Andy Selway-Woolley (he/him) and I am a fully qualified Clinical Solution Focused Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist. I run HeadFirst Hypnotherapy®, based in Upper Heyford (near Bicester), Oxfordshire.
I assist people in regaining control of their lives by retraining their brains to overcome limiting thought patterns, master their emotions, and cultivate resilient behaviours for a brighter and more positive future.. I know… It’s awesome!
a nutshell, I ‘get you out of your own way’. Because, let’s face it, a lot of us are.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy taps into the power of your subconscious mind so you can move forward towards the life you’ve always wanted to live. It’s a quick, practical way to address thought patterns, emotions and behaviours that are holding you back in life.
I’m a registered and accredited member of the Complementary & Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), Association for Solution Focused Hypnotherapy (AfSFH) and National Council for Hypnotherapy (NCH).
I service the main towns and cities around Upper Heyford, including Bicester, Banbury, Oxford, Kidlington, Witney, Brackley, Charlbury, Northampton, Buckingham, Chipping Norton, Thame, Didcot, Abingdon, Henley-on-Thames, and Aylesbury, along with other local areas.
I also work nationally and offer remote hypnotherapy services online, so no matter where you're based, support is just a click away!