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The business of cognitive therapy is to transform meanings. What better way to achieve this than through a metaphor? Metaphors straddle two different domains at once, providing a conceptual bridge from a problematic interpretation to a fresh new perspective that can cast one's experiences in a new light. Even the simplest metaphor can be used again and again with different clients, yet still achieve the desired effect. One such example is the 'broken leg' metaphor for depression. Clients with depression are understandably frustrated with their symptoms. They may often push themselves to get better or tell themselves that they should be better by now. As a therapist, it is fair to ask, would the client be so harsh and demanding on herself after getting a broken leg? A broken leg needs time to heal and you need to begin to walk on it gradually as it builds up in strength. "You can't run before you can walk", and if you try, you are likely to make it worse. For many clients this simple metaphor is enlightening, changing their view of their symptoms as a sign of their own laziness and worthlessness, to a view of them as part of an understandable illness, that while open to improvement, cannot get better over night. This book shows just how metaphors can be used productively in CBT as an integral part of the treatment. It describes the use of metaphors for a wide range of problems, including anxiety and depression, and provides countless examples of metaphors that have been used by others in CBT. It brings together in one place hundreds of metaphors that experienced therapists have used to great success. It will be a valuable sourcebook for all cognitive behaviour therapists, as well as those training in CBT.
This text investigates how the strategic application of metaphors serves as a clinical mechanism to transform patient meaning-making and facilitate cognitive restructuring within Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). The authors, a team of experienced clinicians and researchers, argue that metaphors act as conceptual bridges that allow patients to shift from problematic interpretations to more adaptive perspectives. By synthesizing clinical experience with therapeutic theory, the book provides a structured framework for integrating figurative language into standard treatment protocols.
What You Will Find
Scope Limits
Clinicians and trainees frequently cite this work as a practical, highly accessible reference for enhancing therapeutic communication. Experts highlight the book as a foundational resource for practitioners seeking to improve the efficacy of their cognitive interventions through the use of illustrative language.
Page Count:
260
Publication Date:
2010-01-01
Publisher:
OUP Oxford
ISBN-10:
0191015652
ISBN-13:
9780191015656
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