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Article published In:
Metaphor in Mental Healthcare
Edited by Dennis Tay
[Metaphor and the Social World 10:2] 2020
► pp. 292–319

The ‘transformative’ power of ‘integrated metaphor’ in counselling

Applying and measuring its implemented potential

| University of Bologna

Given the centrality of metaphor in the (re)structuring of experience (Burns, 2005; Loue, 2008; Roffman, 2008) and of bodily experience to the notion of conceptual metaphor in cognitive theory (Lakoff & Johnson, 2003 [1980]; Lakoff, 1993; Gibbs, 2006), this paper investigates the ‘transformative power’ of metaphor in ‘talking cure’ practices – Counselling and Psychotherapy – to implement its application potential. An experimental integrated “metaphor-based and -driven” model is presented by adapting textual identification procedures (Steen, 1999; Ferrari, 2007; Pragglejaz, 2007) to an integrated psychological approach (Rogers, 2003 [1951]; Perls, 1951) in order to further develop metaphor transformation guidelines. The ‘M’ psycho-test had been created to evaluate the power of metaphor in counselling sessions in a diachronic perspective, providing both qualitative and quantitative data. Some preliminary cases (e.g. ‘the frog’, ‘eating’, ‘the hare’, ‘the desolated land’) are presented, with relative Transformational score, as examples of test application and metaphor potential. Test evidence has allowed for quantitative and qualitative observations. The evidence gathered shows: (1) Applying a metaphor-based experimental integrated approach can offer alternative for action in the practice; (2) Measuring the transformational power of metaphor through ‘M’ psycho-test can offer further degree of awareness for both counsellor and client.

Keywords: metaphor transformation, ‘M’ psycho-test, transformational score, metaphor-based, metaphor-driven
Article outline
  • 1.Introduction: Integrating metaphor
  • 2.Method
    • 2.1Design: Metaphor-based and driven Method
  • 3.Practice and application of the framework: Working with Metaphor
  • 4.Application: Variation within the framework
    • 4.1Metaphors activated at Thought Level
    • 4.2Metaphors activated at Body Level
    • 4.3Metaphors activated at the Emotional Level
  • 5.Measure: The ‘M’ psychometric test
    • 5.1Transformational score – calculation & operational notes
  • 6.Findings/results
  • 7.Discussion
    • 7.1The transformational power of metaphor
    • 7.2Relativity of positive vs. negative states
    • 7.3Integration & balance (quantitative scores)
    • 7.4Relativity of quantitative scores
    • 7.5Relativity of qualitative data
    • 7.6Relativity of the psycho-test and added value
  • 8.Conclusions
  • Notes
  • References
Published online: 13 November 2020
DOI logo
https://doi.org/10.1075/msw.00008.fer
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