IRRT – Imagery Rescripting & Reprocessing Therapy
An imagery-based trauma therapy: rewrite distressing memory images in imagination instead of reliving them again and again.
What Is IRRT?
IRRT (Imagery Rescripting & Reprocessing Therapy) is an imagery-based trauma therapy: distressing memory images are re-written in imagination rather than relived again and again. The method was developed in the early 1990s by Prof. Mervyn Schmucker to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
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How Does IRRT Work?
An IRRT session typically follows three phases. First, the distressing memory is called up in imagination and put into words. Then, at the most distressing point, your present-day self enters the scene and intervenes — confronting and disempowering what was threatening back then. In the third phase, your present-day self turns toward your younger self: soothing, comforting, caring for. Step by step, a new inner image forms — the memory loses its power, without you having to “erase” it.
Who Is IRRT For?
IRRT was originally developed for adults who experienced abuse or violence in childhood. Today it is used more broadly: for PTSD after single or repeated traumatic experiences, and in later developments for complex PTSD (with inner-child work) and prolonged grief. Whether IRRT is right for you is best clarified in an initial conversation.
Is IRRT Body Psychotherapy?
No — IRRT is an imagery-based, cognitively grounded method, not body psychotherapy in the strict sense. It still appears in our directory of methods: many trauma-oriented practitioners combine IRRT with body-oriented approaches like Somatic Experiencing or NARM — working with inner images and working with the nervous system complement each other.
IRRT Practitioners
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Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between IRRT and EMDR?
How do I find IRRT therapists?
This article is for informational and educational purposes. Kaufmann Health is a platform connecting clients with independent practitioners — it does not itself provide therapy or medical advice. Practitioners are independently credentialed and responsible for practicing within their professional scope.