Improve Insight and Unlock Change Using Metaphors from Daily Life
We all struggle with finding the right tools to help change our clients鈥 behavior.
Throughout my 40 years as a psychotherapist, I鈥檝e found that聽creating metaphors using everyday objects in life聽is a powerful strategy for unlocking change.
A penny, a crayon, or even a balloon 鈥 there are endless tangible reminders that serve as therapeutic touchstones, reinforcing session lessons.
Here are some examples of how I use everyday items as metaphors:
I like to take it one step further and create聽metaphorical toolkits. Some toolkit ideas include anger and stress management, coping skills, positive life, school survival and drug-free toolkit. What I find really handy is that most of these things (and dozens of other potential items) can be found in our household 鈥渏unk drawer鈥 or purchased inexpensively.
Using familiar items from everyday life that symbolize important life skills offers a great group activity for all ages. For more on the use of metaphors,聽download this free worksheet, .
Using metaphors is just one way that you can help your clients change their behavior. You can find over 150 more tips and techniques in my new book:聽150 More Group Therapy Activities & TIPS.
Throughout my 40 years as a psychotherapist, I鈥檝e found that聽creating metaphors using everyday objects in life聽is a powerful strategy for unlocking change.
A penny, a crayon, or even a balloon 鈥 there are endless tangible reminders that serve as therapeutic touchstones, reinforcing session lessons.
Here are some examples of how I use everyday items as metaphors:
- A Penny:聽Points out that we need to embrace change! 聽It also reminds us that even insignificant things add up. To further this point, you can ask your聽clients if they would take a million dollars or a penny that doubles every day for a 31 day month. The answer: $1,000,000 vs.聽$5,386,709.12.
- Rubber Band:聽An elastic band is like stress鈥攚e need some 鈥渟tretch鈥 to thrive. A limp rubber band signifies a lack of engagement and commitment, but too much stretch by not setting limits, for example, will lead to being stretched too thin and even snapping!
- A Small Bouncing Ball:聽Reminds us that we can bounce back from anything if we have a positive attitude and learn from adversity. It demonstrates the importance of being flexible in order to bounce back!
- An Eraser: Tells us it鈥檚 okay to make mistakes! We don鈥檛 need to be perfect.
- A Crayon:聽Reminds us to put color into our worlds by positive thinking, and avoid thinking in 鈥渂lack and white.鈥
I like to take it one step further and create聽metaphorical toolkits. Some toolkit ideas include anger and stress management, coping skills, positive life, school survival and drug-free toolkit. What I find really handy is that most of these things (and dozens of other potential items) can be found in our household 鈥渏unk drawer鈥 or purchased inexpensively.
Using familiar items from everyday life that symbolize important life skills offers a great group activity for all ages. For more on the use of metaphors,聽download this free worksheet, .
Using metaphors is just one way that you can help your clients change their behavior. You can find over 150 more tips and techniques in my new book:聽150 More Group Therapy Activities & TIPS.
Judith A. Belmont, MS LPC, has 40 years of experience in the mental health field as therapist, author, trainer and speaker. She is the author of 6 books designed to provide mental health professionals and their clients valuable life skills resources, including 150 More Group Therapy Activities & TIPS.
Topic: Clinical Psychology and Psychiatry
