A moment for yourself
Explore what an image brings up in you
A deck for what you need today
For your feelings, your relationships, and the choices ahead
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Put a feeling into words
Inner World
When you feel a lot but can’t quite name it, start with an image and explore what comes up.
An image can start a connection
What you notice may connect with a feeling, a memory, or something happening in your life
- Open a cardAn image gives your associations somewhere to begin
- Notice the connectionStay with a detail that feels familiar to you
- Find your own wordsName the feeling and write what matters to you
Why images and words
The image is a prompt for your own associations. Naming what you notice is the next step.
A finding from 2007
In 2007, a UCLA experiment found that naming emotions reduced activity in a brain region involved in responding to negative images.
Read the study in Psychological ScienceThis research tested emotion labeling, not metaphorical cards or RAEVI. It does not establish either as a treatment.
Questions
What can I use RAEVI for?
A quiet check-in when a feeling is hard to name, a relationship feels complicated, or you want to look at a decision from another angle. The image offers a starting point for reflection; it does not decide what you should do.
Do I need to know how to interpret the cards?
No. There is no right interpretation or hidden answer to uncover. Notice a detail, a feeling, or a memory, and describe what it means to you. Your own associations guide the process.
Is there science behind this practice?
Naming emotions, known as affect labeling, has experimental support. A 2007 brain-imaging study found reduced amygdala responses when people labeled emotions in negative images. This supports one part of reflection; it does not establish metaphorical cards or RAEVI as a treatment. Read the study
What if an image brings up a strong feeling?
You set the pace. You can pause, choose another image, or stop. You do not need to push through discomfort or explain every reaction. If you would like support, explore what came up with a qualified mental health professional.
Are my reflections private?
Yes. Your reflections are private. We treat your personal information with care and respect.
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