What Happens in a RIM Session? Dip, See, Do, and What Clients Say

A RIM session is a guided, body-based experience that usually moves through four stages: dip, see, do, and integration. You stay awake, aware, and in control the entire time. You do not need to know what you want to work on beforehand. Your body tends to bring up what is ready. Here is what actually happens in a RIM session with me, what clients say afterward, and how to prepare.

What Is RIM?

RIM stands for Regenerating Images in Memory. It was developed by Dr. Deborah Sandella, founder of the RIM Institute, and I trained with her for two years. I am an Expert Facilitator in RIM, and I offer sessions virtually.

RIM works with imagery, memory, emotion, and body sensation together. That matters because many of our deepest patterns were laid down before we had words for them. Talking about those patterns can create understanding. RIM helps the body actually change its response.

Do I Need to Know What to Work On?

No. This surprises almost everyone. Many clients arrive with a specific issue in mind, and many arrive with only a vague feeling that something is stuck. Both work. RIM follows what your body brings forward, which is often more accurate than what your mind thinks the problem is.

The Four Stages of a RIM Session

Dip

We start by turning your attention inward. Usually your eyes are closed and we begin with slow breathing. I guide your awareness to your breath and then to different areas of your body. I ask you to describe what you notice in rich detail: color, texture, shape, size. This gentle inward focus helps your nervous system settle into a sense of safety.

See

As you stay with those sensations, imagery begins to flow on its own. Often a memory or emotional pattern surfaces. It might be from childhood. It might be recent. It might be something you had not thought about in decades. Researchers who studied RIM observed that the most intense experiences usually happen during this middle stage, and that they often surprise people with their depth and personal meaning.

Do

This is where change happens. With guidance, you get to experience the memory differently. You might speak words you never got to say, move in ways you could not move then, or bring in support you did not have. I do not hand you a coping strategy. I help you find your own more empowered response from the inside. The memory gets saved again, this time with an experience of safety attached.

Integration

Finally, we bring your awareness back to the room. We talk about what came up and how it connects to your life now. We often imagine moving forward in your daily life carrying that new sense of safety and strength.

What Does a RIM Session Feel Like?

Clients describe it in very different ways, and nearly all of them say it is hard to put into words. Here is what a few have shared, with names removed:

• An educator said it felt like a journey through her body and mind at the same time, and that she felt safe and secure throughout.
• A student described an indestructible feeling of calm afterward.
• One client said the session removed a filter on her feelings, leaving her more aware, confident, and empowered.
• Another said she was amazed at how deep the session went and how vivid the imagery was.
• Another said words could not describe how transformational it was.
• One client said the insights felt like they came from the wisest part of herself, and she booked another session right after her first.

That "beyond words" quality is something researchers have measured. In a 2025 EEG study published in Frontiers in Psychology, participants scored highest on ineffability, the sense that an experience is too profound to describe.

Is RIM Like Hypnosis?

RIM works differently from the way most people picture hypnosis. You are awake, talking, and fully in charge. You can open your eyes, pause, or stop at any time. Nothing happens to you. The process is client-led, meaning the images and memories come from you, and I guide and support rather than direct.

Who Is RIM For?

RIM can be a powerful fit if:

• You have done talk therapy and a pattern still keeps coming back.
• You understand your people-pleasing perfectly and still freeze when it is time to say no.
• You carry shame from religion, family, or your past that will not loosen.
• You are moving through a big transition such as divorce, coming out later in life, or grief.
• You feel stuck creatively or disconnected from your own voice.

RIM is a complement to mental health care. If you are in crisis or need clinical treatment, please work with a licensed mental health professional.

How to Prepare for Your RIM Session

• Choose a private, quiet space where you will not be interrupted.
• Use headphones and a reliable internet connection.
• Have water and a blanket nearby.
• Block time afterward to rest. Sessions are blocked for up to two hours, and many people like a slow evening after.
• Come as you are. You do not need a plan.

What Happens After a RIM Session?

Many people feel lighter, calmer, or emotionally clearer right away. Some feel tired and want to sleep. Some notice changes over the following days, like reacting differently in a situation that used to trigger them. Drink water, be gentle with yourself, and notice what shifts.

Some patterns shift in a single session. Deeper or layered patterns often benefit from a few sessions, which is why I offer both single sessions and packages.

This article is educational content and is not medical or mental health treatment. If you are in crisis or need clinical care, please contact a licensed professional.

Sources

• Cook PF, Aagaard LM, Krug Avery L, Long N, Alford A, Sandella D. (2025). How is a psychotherapeutic process like a psychedelic drug? Frontiers in Psychology, 16:1539079.
• Client testimonials from anniemhenderson.com/rim, shared with names removed.

About Annie M. Henderson

Annie is a life coach, five-time author, podcast host of The Liberated Lesbian Lounge, and Expert Facilitator in RIM. She holds a BA in Psychology from Austin College and master's degrees in Education, School Counseling, and Professional Counseling. She spent 15 years in public education as a teacher and school counselor and was previously a Licensed Professional Counselor. She helps women break free from people-pleasing and build boundaries that hold, and shares this work with 118K+ followers on TikTok.

Annie is also the author of Later in Life Lesbian, Women with ADHD, Boundaries in Ink, The Liberation Year, and The Liberation Year Journal. Find her books on Amazon.