Metaphor in Psychotherapy

Henry T. Close, Th.M.

A creative collection of stories and allegories, and how to use them as teaching tools in psychotherapy. Prepared by a respected Ericksonian psychotherapist, this comprehensive resource aids therapists in helping clients change distorted views of the human experience by exploring the "languages" through which these views were created. The book offers dozens of practical therapeutic activities involving metaphor, drama, fantasy, meditation, ritual. Fascinating clinical vignettes present themes which are relevant to difficulties in life that most of us face at one time or another. Sample chapters include: The Utopia Syndrome; An Allegory on the Search for Perfection; Metaphor and Reframing; Heart Attack; Symmetry and Complementarity; Meditation and Fantasy; An Allegory on Leaving Home; Therapy with a Dying Person.

Henry T. Close, Th.M., is a Pastoral Counselor in Atlanta, Georgia, a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and Director of the Milton H. Erickson Institute of Atlanta.

Softcover, 320 pages, 1998
ISBN-13: 978-1-886230-10-1
ISBN-10: 1-886230-10-2 

Please note: This title is out of print. Available for international rights only.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Metaphor in Psychotherapy

Part A: Introduction

1. Introduction

2. A Boy and His Kite: 
An Allegory on Intimate Relationships

Part B: Metaphor

3. Metaphor

4. Therapeutic Metaphors for Children

5. The Flower Girl

6. The Castle Beyond the Forest

7. Painting Lessons

8. The Fallen Tree

Part C: A Basic Presupposition

9. The Heart and the Mind

Part D: Metaphor and World View

10. World View

11. The Utopia Syndrome

12. The Fall: 
An Allegory on the Search for Perfection

13. A Young Man and a Mermaid: 
An Allegory on Limitations

14. The Potted Tree: 
An Allegory on Leaving Home

Part E: Metaphor in Clinical Applications

15. Utilization

16. Metaphor and Reframing

17. Heart Attack

18. Metaphor and Rapport

19. Drama as Metaphor

20. Meditation and Fantasy

21. Therapy with a Dying Person

Part F: Concluding Considerations

22. Symmetry and Complementarity

23. Creating Metaphors

24. PING: Ancient Art Becomes Contemporary Theory