Hostname: page-component-7dd5485656-k8lnt Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2025-10-31T13:04:23.876Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Keeping metaphor in mind: training therapists in metaphor-enhanced cognitive behaviour therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  09 July 2018

Fiona Mathieson Open the ORCID record for Fiona Mathieson [Opens in a new window] ,
Jennifer Jordan ,
James Bennett-Levy  and
Maria Stubbe
Fiona Mathieson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
Jennifer Jordan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, PO Box 4345, Christchurch 8011, New Zealand
James Bennett-Levy
Affiliation:
Sydney University Centre for Rural Health, PO Box 3074, Lismore, NSW 2840, Australia
Maria Stubbe
Affiliation:
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington 6242, New Zealand
*
*Author for correspondence: Fiona Mathieson, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington 6242, New Zealand (email: fiona.mathieson@otago.ac.nz).
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

Over the last decade, there has been increasing interest in the use of metaphor in cognitive behaviour therapy. However, to date, there has been only very limited research on the use of metaphor in CBT sessions, and no studies which have examined how to train therapists in this skill. The present study is the first in the literature to explore how we might train therapists in metaphor-enhanced CBT. Twelve therapists attended two half-day training workshops, 2 weeks apart. Details of the content of the training workshop are provided. The therapists rated the workshop quality and provided structured self-report ratings and reflections on their ongoing application of learning over a 3-month period which were compared with pre-training ratings. Therapists reported significantly increased awareness of metaphors, with increased confidence in responding intentionally to client metaphors and bringing them into shared conceptualizations. In addition, there were significant increases in reported time spent elaborating on client metaphors, and use of metaphors when conceptualizing with clients. Barriers and solutions to application of learning are discussed.

Keywords

metaphorcognitive behaviour therapypsychotherapy trainingself-reflection

Information

Type
Education and Supervision
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 11 , 2018 , e8
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2018 

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

Article purchase

Temporarily unavailable

References

Recommended follow-up reading

Bennett-Levy, J, Padesky, C (2014). Use it or lose it: post-workshop reflection enhances learning and utilization of CBT skills. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 21, 12–19.Google Scholar
Törneke, N (2017). Metaphor in Practice: A Professional's Guide to using the Science of Language in Psychotherapy. Oakland: Context Press.Google Scholar

References

Beidas, RS, Edmunds, JM, Marcus, SC, Kendall, PC (2012). Training and consultation to promote implementation of an empirically supported treatment: a randomized trial. Psychiatric Services 63, 660–665. doi: https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.ps.201100401Google Scholar
Bennett-Levy, J, McManus, F, Westling, B, Fennell, M (2009a). Acquiring and refining CBT skills and competencies: which training methods are perceived to be most effective? Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy 37, 571–583.Google Scholar
Bennett-Levy, J, Padesky, C (2014). Use it or lose it: post-workshop reflection enhances learning and utilization of CBT skills. Cognitive and Behavioral Practice 21, 12–19. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cbpra.2013.05.001Google Scholar
Bennett-Levy, J, Thwaites, R, Chaddock, A, Davis, M (2009b). Reflective practice in cognitive behavioural therapy: The engine of lifelong learning. In Stedman, J and Dallos, R (eds), Reflective Practice in Psychotherapy and Counselling (pp. 115–135). Milton Keynes, UK: Open University Press.Google Scholar
Berlin, RM, Olson, ME, Cano, CE, Engel, S (1991). Metaphor and psychotherapy. American Journal of Psychotherapy 45, 359–367.Google Scholar
Blenkiron, P (2010). Stories and Analogies in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. Hoboken: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
Bonanno, GA (1990). Remembering and psychotherapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training 27, 175–186. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-3204.27.2.175CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Brooks, RB (1985). The beginning sessions of child therapy: of messages and metaphors. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training 22, 761–769. doi: https://doi.org/10.1037/h0085566Google Scholar
Butler, G, Fennell, M, Hackmann, A (2008). Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety Disorders: Mastering Clinical Challenges. New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Cameron, L, Maslen, R (2010). Metaphor Analysis: Research Practice in Applied Linguistics, Social Sciences and the Humanities. London: Equinox Publishing Ltd.Google Scholar
Cohen, JW (1988). Statistical Power Analysis for the Behavioral Sciences (2nd edn). Hillsdale, NJ: L. Erlbaum AssociatesGoogle Scholar
Elliott, C, Adams, R, Hodge, G (1992). Cognitive Therapy: Possible Strategies for Optimising Outcome. Psychiatric Annals 22, 459–463.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hayes, S, Hofmann, S (2017). The third wave of cognitive behavioral therapy and the rise of process‐based care. World Psychiatry 16, 245–246. doi: 10.1002/wps.20442Google Scholar
Horvath, AO, Bedi, RP (2002). Psychotherapy Relationships That Work: Therapist Contributions and Responsiveness to Patients (pp. 37–69). New York, NY: Oxford University Press; US.Google Scholar
Kaviani, H, Hamedi, R (2011). A quantitative/qualitative study on metaphors used by Persian depressed patients. Archives of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy 13, 5–13.Google Scholar
Kolb, D (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Course of Learning and Development. Engkewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.Google Scholar
Kopp, R (1995). Metaphor Therapy: Using Client-Generated Metaphors in Psychotherapy. London: Brunner-Routledge.Google Scholar
Kopp, R, Craw, M (1998). Metaphoric language, metaphoric cognition, and cognitive therapy. Psychotherapy: Theory, Research, Practice, Training 35, 306–311.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Kuyken, W, Padesky, CA, Dudley, R (2009). Collaborative Case Conceptualisation: Working Effectively with Clients in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. New York: Guilford.Google Scholar
Lakoff, G (1993). The contemporary theory of metaphor. In Ortony, A (ed), Metaphor and Thought (2nd edn, pp. 202–251). New York: Cambridge University Press.Google Scholar
Lakoff, G, Johnson, M (1980). Metaphors We Live By. Chicago, Illinois: University of Chicago Press.Google Scholar
Lyddon, W, Clay, A, Sparks, C (2001). Metaphor and change in counseling. Journal of Counseling and Development 79, 269–274.Google Scholar
Lyon, AR, Stirman, SW, Kerns, SE, Bruns, EJ (2011). Developing the mental health workforce: review and application of training approaches from multiple disciplines. Administration and Policy in Mental Health and Mental Health Services Research 38, 238–253. doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10488-010-0331-yCrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mannix, KA, Blackburn, IM, Garland, A, Gracie, J, Moorey, S, Reid, B et al. (2006). Effectiveness of brief training in cognitive behaviour therapy techniques for palliative care practitioners. Palliative Medicine 20, 579–584.Google Scholar
O'Hanlon, WH, Hexum, AL (1990). An Uncommon Casebook: The Complete Clinical Work of Milton H. Erickson. New York: Norton.Google Scholar
Padesky, CA (1996). Developing cognitive therapist competency: teaching and supervision models. In Salkovskis, PM (ed), Frontiers of Cognitive Therapy (pp. 266–292). New York: Guilford Press.Google Scholar
Pearce, SS (1996). Flash of Insight: Metaphor and Narrative in Therapy. Needham Heights: MA: Allyn and Bacon.Google Scholar
Ronen, T (2011). The Positive Power of Imagery: Harnessing Client Imagination in CBT and Related Therapies. West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell.Google Scholar
Schon, DA (1983). The Reflective Practitioner: How Professionals Think in Action. Aldershot: Ashgate Arena.Google Scholar
Siegelman, EY (1990). Metaphor and Meaning in Psychotherapy. New York, NY: Guilford Press; US.Google Scholar
Sims, P, Whynot, C (1997). Hearing metaphor: an approach to working with family-generated metaphor. Family Process 36, 341–355. doi: 10.1111/j.1545-5300.1997.00341.xGoogle Scholar
Soskice, J (1985). Metaphor and religious language. Oxford: Clarendon Press.Google Scholar
Stott, R, Mansell, W, Salkovskis, P, Lavender, A, Cartwright-Hatton, S (eds) (2010). Oxford Guide to Metaphors in CBT: Building Cognitive Bridges. Oxford: Oxford University Press.Google Scholar
Sudak, DM, Codd, RT III, Ludgate, J, Sokol, L, Fox, MG, Reiser, R, Milne, DL (2016). Teaching and Supervising Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley and Sons.Google Scholar
Tay, D (2013). Metaphor in Psychotherapy: A Descriptive and Prescriptive Analysis. Amsterdam, Netherlands: John Benjamins.Google Scholar
Tickle-Degnan, L (2013). Nuts and bolts of conducting feasibility studies. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy 67, 171–176.Google Scholar
Törneke, N (2017). Metaphor in Practice: A Professional's Guide to using the Science of Language in Psychotherapy. Oakland: Context Press.Google Scholar
Williams, C, Garland, A (2002). A cognitive behavioural therapy assessment model for use in everyday clinical practice. Advances in Psychiatric Treatment 8, 172–179.Google Scholar
Winnicott, DW (1989). Playing and Reality. London: Routledge.Google Scholar
Submit a response

Comments

No Comments have been published for this article.