Poetic truths and clinical reality: Client experience of the use of metaphor by therapists

Abstract

This article examines the use of metaphors by both client and therapist within psychotherapy. How metaphors are generated, experienced, and used within therapy is only beginning to be understood. By comparing the use of metaphors by client‐therapist dyads including both nonborderline and borderline clients, the use and experience of metaphor across these groups is examined in a formulative manner. Four client‐therapist dyads are examined in detail using Strauss’ constant comparative method applied to audiotapes of single sessions, as well as the results of interviews with both client and therapist done shortly after the date of the original therapy session. Results indicate that metaphors may be used for a range of purposes, successfully and unsuccessfully, and may be well understood or misinterpreted by clients. With borderline clients transferential elements seemed to shape the client's understanding of the metaphor.