Metaphor in Psychotherapy: Clinical Applications of Stories and Allegories (Practical Therapist Series)

296 Pages·1998·11.32 MB·English

by  Henry T. Close

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Metaphor in Psychotherapy
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Publisher'sN ote
This publicationi s designed to provide accurate and authoritative
information in regard to the subj ect matterc overed. It is sold with
the understandingt hat the publisher is not engaged in rendering
psychological, medical or otherp rofessional service.
Books in "The Practical Therapist Series" present authori-
tative answers to the question, "what-do-I-do-now-and-
how-do-I-do-it?" in the practice of psychotherapy, bringing the
wisdom and experience of expert mentors to the practicing
therapist. A book, however, is no substitute for thorough
professional training and adherence to ethical and legal
standards.A t minimum:
a The practitionerm ust be qualified to practice
psychotherapy.
a Clients participatei n psychotherapy only with
informed consent.
* The practitionerm ust not guaranteee' a specific
outcome.
- Robert E. Alberti, Ph.D.
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Metaphor
in
Psychotherapy
ClinicalA pplications of
Stories andA llegories
Henry T. Close, Th.M.
The Practical Therapist SerfeWe
Impa rt Publisherme
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA 93406
Copyright © 1998
by Hen:?- T Close
All rights reserved under internationala nd Pan -American Copyright Conventions. No part of
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Close, Henry T.
Metaphor in psychotherapy : clinical applications of stories and
allegories / Henry T. Close.
p. cm. -- (The practical therapist series)
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 1-886230-10-2 (alk. paper)
1. Metaphor -- Therapeutic use. 2. Psychotherapy. 3. Storytelling--
Therapeutic use. I. Title. II. Serie,.
RC489.M47C58 1998
616.89'14--dc2l 98.7500
CIP
Cover design by Sharon Schnare, San luiis Obispo, California
Printed in the United States of America on acid-free paper
Published by Impacrt Publishere
POST OFFICE BOX 910
SAN LUIS OBISPO, CALIFORNIA 93406-0910
Dedication
This book is dedicated
with affection and respect
to my friend and colleague
Burrell Dinkins
Appreciation
hanks to the many people who have influenced me
over the years. Since for the most part, I do not
remember who taught me what, my gratitude is generic
rather than specific. Though my two best-known teachers
were Milton Erickson and Carl Whitaker, I have also studied
with Stephen Lankton, John Warkentin, Fritz Perls and
many others.
I especially appreciate the friends who have encouraged
me sometimes pushed me in the writing of this book:
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Burrell Dinkins, Jenny Felder, Jeffrey Zeig, Florence
Kaslow. Warm thanks to all of you.
Special thanks to my editor Bob Alberti, whose patience
and wisdom were especially helpful to me.
Thanks also to you, my clients, for letting me be part of
your lives for a while. Thank you for inviting me to be open
with you, and for pushing some of my own growing edges.
Thank you for stimulating my own creativity and nurturing.
I take very seriously the matter of confidentiality, and
have made every effort to protect your identity. Many times,
I think even you would not recognize you. Many of the
people I have identified as mate were in reality female, and
vice versa.
In reporting my own comments, I have often written
what I wish I had said, rather than what I actually said. My
purpose in this book is to present the very best I have to offer,
not to portray my inadequacies.
Contents
PartA: Introduction 1
1. Introduction 3
2. A Boy and His Kite 7
An Allegory on Intimate Relationships
V* PartB : Metaphor 13
3. Metaphor 15
4. TherapeuticM etaphorsf or Children 29
5. The Slimy Green Monster 35
A Story Addressing Children'sP hobias
6. The Flower Girl 41
7. The Castle Beyond the Forest 45
8. PaintingL essons 53
9. The Fallen Tree 59
* PartC : A Basic Presupposition 67
10. The Heart and The Mind 69
* PartD : Metaphor and World View 83
11. World View 85
12. The Utopia Syndrome 99
13. The Fall 113
An Allegory on the Search for Perfection
14. A Young Man and a Mermaid 119
An Allegory on Limitations
15. The Potted Tree 127
An Allegory on Leaving Home
+ Part E: Metaphor in Clinical Applications 137
16. Utilization 139
17. Metaphor and Re framing 161
18. HeartAttack 185
Reflections on the Tendency to Pathologize
19. Metaphor and Rapport 187
20. Dramaa s Metaphor 209
21. Meditation and Fantasy 225
22. Therapy with a Dying Person 241
+ Part F: Concluding Considerations 259
23. Symmetry and Complementarity 261
24. CreatingM etaphor. 279
25. Putting the Pieces Toyether 283
26. PING 291
Ancient Art Becomes Contemporary Therapy
Bibliography 297
Permissions 301
Index 303