Verbal and non-verbal components commonly used in talking therapies can enhance the therapeutic value of dialogue. The theory and practice that underpins these components will be explored and critically debated in relation to metaphors and their meaning.
Encouraging clients to become autonomous and self directed through an enhancement of responsibility for their therapy progression, is an approach that was first introduced by Carl Rogers in 1951 (Hough 2007). This Person-Centred approach permits the therapist to take a nondirective role, allowing clients to become their own person and fulfil their unique potential in therapy sessions (Nelson-Jones 2006). Based on developing client independence this approach attempts to remove therapists’ interpretation of behaviours associated with psychodynamic therapies (Burnard 2005), thus promoting growth and personal goal development.
When used in therapeutic contexts metaphors can be both a powerful and sensitive form of language designed to bring about perceptual and/or behavioural change (Hutchings 1998). However, as a verbal component of the Person-Centred approach metaphors can enhance or inhibit a client’s progress. Through use of these verbal illustrations truths can be explored and understood by clients without the ‘glare’ of realism, removing stigmatisation and allowing clients to become more acute to their own perceptions (Hutchings 1998). It is at this time, where clients feel therapists are non-judgmental, goals and responsibilities are most likely to be instigated (Mallinson et al 1996).
However, when utilising a person-centred approach in therapeutic dialogue it becomes the client’s choice as to whether their thoughts and emotions linked with metaphor are explored (Nelson-Jones 2006). This can result in clients being unable to resolve issues or events of importance within their lives; here it may be beneficial for the therapist to take on a psychodynamic approach to interpret meanings and conceptualise chosen metaphors. Kirkin (2007) explored the relationship between metaphors and truth telling, he stated that this type of word illusion could be used to obscure the truth and disguise feelings. He also suggested that interpretation of metaphors was individual and although often perceived powerful by clients, key principles were not always understood by the therapist (Kirkin 2007).
It can therefore be suggested that the use of metaphor within Person-Centred approaches to therapy allow freedom and independence in problem solving and goal setting.
Metaphors can be defined as those concepts where a term is used to portray a different meaning in a phrase than what it literary means. Additionally, metaphors are also used to make rhetorical statements where one is speaking of something else but by the use of words that do not have the same meaning. Moreover, metaphors can be used when one is trying to compare two different items with different meanings to portray the same meaning in describing something (Arduini 83). The book “Their eyes were watching God” has several metaphors, which have different analyses.
Control, Empowerment, and the Fake World: Converging Metaphors. "Metaphors not only structure the way we think about school, they also help create the world of the school" (Cunningham, "Metaphors of Mind" handout). This quote speaks the truth! Metaphors are the tools we use to structure thinking about our culture and to create culture at the same time. An excellent example of this dual and interconnected role of metaphor is Marshall's belief that "the dominant metaphor in many schools is SCHOOL IS WORK" (Cunningham, "MOM" handout).
While CBT has many advantages, it alone does not encompass all of the concepts I believe are necessary to tackle a client’s needs. Therefore, I draw upon concepts from various theories to assist clients in achieving their goals. Pulling from Reality therapy, a key concept I utilize is focusing on what the client is doing and how to get them to evaluate whether they’re present actions are working for them. CBT does use some form of this in the sense that one must examine and establish their cognitive misconceptions; however, I prefer to extract this concept from Reality therapy because CBT tends to do so by focusing on the past. I am a firm believer that while the past can shape who you are, it does little good to remain focused on it. Focusing on overt behavior, precision in specifying the goals of treatment, development of specific treatment plans, and objective evaluation of therapy outcomes all come from Behavior therapy (Corey, 2013, p. 474). Behavior therapy is highly structured much like that of CBT. By utilizing this aspect of Behavior therapy, I am better able to closely observe where a client is currently and where they are headed. Lastly, I pull from Person-Centered therapy as the final key concept of my counseling approach. PCT focuses on the fact that client’s have the potential to become aware of their problems and resolve them (Corey, 2013). This Person-Centered therapy concept has overlap with CBT as
... A metaphor, used as a communication skill, is best described in a political way. Think of Reagan’s Voodoo economics, or Bill Clinton building a bridge to the 21st century. Politicians can easily scam an ignorant voter, should one not understand a metaphor. For example: Clinton refers to building a bridge, but does not tell us with which tools he intends to build it with. This particular concept is valid alone for the above reason. Whether you are talking to a teacher or watching television, metaphors need to understand.
Metaphor and imagery have a long time history in psychotherapy, metaphor building up the relationship between the client and the psychotherapist (building trust, empathy and understanding). Metaphor is very powerful and can raising self- awareness and helps clients to see more and less the full picture of the client inner world. Metaphor and imagery as use in the therapeutic relationship to building up the link between the inner world and external world it abstract but very powerful to help the client to link between here and now and the past (the echo of the significant event or situation that the client feel stuck, impasses or dilemma solved). Metaphor and imagery help the client to move in the positive way and helps the client
I pay particular attention to enactments, which expose intra-psychic dynamics between the therapist and client, as opportunities for relational remodeling. Combining these IST and attachment, a client can reintegrate affective responses and relational needs through mutual recognition in the therapeutic relationship. Furthermore, both approaches delve into the subjective and embodied processes of both client and therapist, which allows me to integrate interventions like mindfulness, deep breathing, DBT skills, and other behavioral coping skills that work in conjunction with the relational processes to empower clients to stabilize, regulate, and develop new ways to relate interpersonally. The use of these interventions are particularly helpful when working with clients with severe and chronic mental illnesses as it creates a safe, relational holding space for clients to develop necessary coping skills, especially when the therapy is
In the short story “The Metaphor”, author Budge Wilson depicted a story about a girl named Charlotte discovering her own life through her teenage years. Throughout the duration of the story, Charlotte had moved from a shadow of her mother to becoming the unique and distinct herself today. It was evident that Charlotte was aware of her own thoughts and values for the first time when she wrote a metaphor describing Miss Hancock; an individual which no one around her loved.
Metaphors, according to Professor George Lakoff, are a way to think and reason about life. They are not a unique way to speak about it, but a common way to talk about life experiences since they are a reflection of our thought processes (1986). This became immediately apparent to me when I began looking for metaphors commonly used. It took some time to find any because they were pervasive of my thought system that I did not even notice many phrases around me were metaphors. Those phrases were not “poetic or rhetorical” way of talking, but a normal usage for those around me to express their thoughts (Lakeoff, 1986, p.216). The metaphor that came up several times on my search was history as roots. This metaphor allows us to think about life in a certain way and it holds particular implications for our interpersonal communication.
The core concept of narrative therapy is rooted in postmodern theory. This includes having a positive and hopeful view of clients and their power to create change. Also, taking a “not-knowing” stance is essential in order to enhance collaboration between clients and therapist. Narrative Therapy encourages therapists to remain curious and acknowledge
These different tools are useful in building and maintaining a therapeutic relationship. Paraphrasing includes repeating the content that has been expressed in a different way, this method can provide the client with a feeling of importance and recognition. Reflection of feelings/content involves identifying the feelings and/or content in what has been said (highlighting the key aspects of the story). Again, this method encourages the patients to be validated and heard. The relationship between the person seeking help and the nurse/counsellor should be appropriate for producing therapeutic change, to ensure that the patient maximizes the therapeutic relationship.
According to Lakoff and Johnson, "the essence of metaphor is understanding and experiencing one kind of thing in terms of another" (5). This definition extends to any symbolic type of expressions, like the concept of hate, the spatial direction "up", or the experience of inflation. When our most important life experiences are often too abstract for basic understanding, we attempt to capture the nature of the experience by placing it in a relevant and more easily recognizable context. Three basic types of metaphor are used to, "conceptualize the less clearly delineated in terms of the more clearly delineated"(59). These are: the orientational metaphor, the ontological metaphor, and the structural metaphor.
In conclusion, Anderson et al. (2010) discussed the relationship between therapeutic models and the techniques utilized by them. However, the contextual model that they posit in this article is built upon a postmodern philosophy and has numerous flaws. As a result, I reject many of their arguments, at least as they are presented. Despite this, there was some information (albeit modified) from this article that I can incorporate into my own practice as a therapist.
Michael White and David Epston are the leading figures of narrative therapy which gained popularity in the 1990’s (Biggs & Hinton-Bayre, 2008). In developing narrative therapy White and Epston were influenced by many of their peers. These peers included lea...
“The goal of reality therapy is to help clients get reconnected with the people they have chosen to include in their quality worlds and to teach clients choice theory” (Corey, 2013, p. 183). Letting clients understand that they have a choice in their lives will help them gain control. Furthermore, “the goal of existential therapy is to challenge clients to recognize and accept the freedom they have to become the authors of their own lives” (Corey, 2013, p. 74). As individuals, we have to face different aspects of life such as isolation, freedom, and responsibility. Helping a client through their struggles and acknowledge these life struggles may help guide the client to a positive point in their lives.
.... This is where the freedom comes in. If the Therapist were to force something on the client by saying this is what's wrong, and here is how you fix it, they might head in the right direction at first, but not because of their own will. By allowing them to make a conscious effort to help themselves it will mean more and last longer. In reading this book I learned a lot about the way existential therapy works, and how I can go about helping people that come to me for advise. Not only do I understand that people have the freedom to make there own choices, but also now I understand that people have the freedom of responsibility which allows them to change their lives and better themselves.