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 is the first to show 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.
