After a specific intrusive traumatic memory has been identified and targeted for rescripting, a brief description of IRRT is offered to the client, which may be paraphrased in the therapist’s own words:
IRRT is designed to help you to process and master your traumatic memories and leave you feeling more in control of your life. Much of our work will involve the use of imagery; that is, asking you to visually recall and re-experience the traumatic images, thoughts, and feelings that you experience during a flashback (or nightmare). You will then confront and transform the traumatic images into coping imagery. The aim is for you to replace your victimization imagery with mastery imagery, so that you can see and feel yourself responding to your trauma no longer as a victim, but as an empowered individual. This, of course, does not change the traumatic event itself or what really happened, but it can change the images, thoughts, feelings, and beliefs that you have about the trauma.
Mervin Smucker (2012)