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The metaphoric dance: co-construction of metaphor in cognitive behaviour therapy

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  26 October 2015

Fiona Mathieson ,
Jennifer Jordan ,
Janet D. Carter  and
Maria Stubbe
Fiona Mathieson*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Wellington, New Zealand
Jennifer Jordan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Christchurch, Christchurch, New Zealand
Janet D. Carter
Affiliation:
Department of Psychology, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand
Maria Stubbe
Affiliation:
Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, School of Medicine and Health Sciences Wellington, New Zealand
*
*Author for correspondence: Ms. F. Mathieson, Department of Psychological Medicine, University of Otago, Wellington, School of Medicine and Health Sciences PO Box 7343, Wellington 6242, New Zealand (email: fiona.mathieson@otago.ac.nz)
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Abstract

Attention to client metaphors has been asserted as a way of enhancing cognitive behaviour therapy. Metaphors can be part of the shared language that is co-constructed between clients and therapists. Recent advances in cognitive linguistics have provided the most clearly operationalized method yet to identify metaphors in conversations, allowing analysis of how shared language develops. This study aims to explore how metaphoric shared language develops in early cognitive behaviour therapy sessions. Based on 12 transcripts of early cognitive behaviour therapy sessions, an iterative process led to the identification of a range of therapist and client responses to each other's metaphors, and identification of whether therapists or clients initiated metaphoric exchanges. Types of responses to therapist or client metaphors within three speaking turns were found to be: repetition, rephrasing, exploration, elaboration/extension, or agreement. Bursts of metaphoric exchange were initiated and taken up by therapists and clients at a similar rate. To conclude, therapists need to attend to the occurrence of metaphors and be aware of the range of potential responses that can engage the client in the ‘metaphoric dance’ (co-construction of shared metaphors). This has the potential to enhance engagement and outcomes though more salient reformulating of the problem for the client.

Keywords

Co-constructioncognitive behaviour therapydiscourse dynamicsmetaphorshared language
Type
Original Research
Information
the Cognitive Behaviour Therapist , Volume 8 , 2015 , e24
Copyright
Copyright © British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies 2015 

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References

Recommended follow-up reading

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