Projective Sophro-stimulation

Overview

Projective sophro-stimulation (SSP) is a specific sophrology technique developed by Alfonso Caycedo that differs from progressive sophro-acceptance through its creative and exploratory dimension. While SAP prepares for a specific, identified event, SSP stimulates the practitioner's adaptive capacity facing uncertainty and change. The practitioner is invited to project into varied future scenarios — sometimes unexpected or unusual — to develop mental flexibility.

This technique draws on cognitive psychology research showing that people capable of imagining multiple possible outcomes develop better resilience and greater problem-solving capacity. In a sophroliminal state, creative imagination is freed from rational mental constraints, allowing original solutions to emerge.

Core Principles

• Creative imagination: using imaginative capacity as a personal and professional development tool
• Multi-scenario approach: exploring several possible futures rather than a single ideal outcome
• Adaptive flexibility: developing the ability to adapt quickly to unforeseen situations
• Latent resource activation: the sophroliminal state provides access to skills and solutions that the conscious mind usually blocks
• Adaptive confidence anchoring: the practitioner integrates certainty that they will be able to cope, whatever the situation

Main Indications

• Professional creativity development
• Preparation for uncertain situations (career change, expatriation)
• Support for entrepreneurs and creators
• Organizational change management
• Leadership and decision-making development
• Sports preparation for unpredictable competitions
• Retirement and life transition support
• Creative problem-solving for complex issues

Session Structure

1. Context exploration (10 min): identifying the life domain or challenge requiring more adaptive flexibility
2. Basic sophronization (10 min): progressive relaxation to access the sophroliminal level
3. Creative stimulation phase (20 min): the sophrologist guides the practitioner through three different future scenarios related to the same theme. Scenario 1: the ideal outcome. Scenario 2: an unexpected event occurs, how does the practitioner adapt? Scenario 3: a major obstacle arises, what unsuspected resources emerge? For each scenario, the practitioner experiences the complete situation with all senses and observes emotional and bodily reactions
4. Integration and synthesis (10 min): the practitioner mentally gathers learnings from all three scenarios and identifies cross-cutting skills mobilized
5. Flexibility anchoring (5 min): installing confidence in one's adaptive capacity, regardless of the scenario
6. Desophronization and sharing (5-10 min): return and verbalization of discoveries

Variations

In sophrological coaching, SSP is used to help executives prepare strategic scenarios (best case, worst case, most likely case). In artistic sophrology, it stimulates inspiration by immersing the creator in unexpected imaginary universes. Some sophrologists offer collective SSP sessions where each participant shares their scenarios, enriching group creativity. In sports sophrology, SSP helps athletes mentally prepare for competition surprises (unfavorable weather, teammate injury, opponent tactical change).

Contraindications

• Unstabilized generalized anxiety disorder (exploring negative scenarios may worsen anxiety)
• Psychotic disorder with confusion between real and imaginary
• Tendency toward obsessive rumination about catastrophic scenarios
• Acute depression phase (the future is experienced exclusively as threatening)