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

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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

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