7/Chapter 8: Well Metaphorically Speaking..

Question: Examine psychological support for using metaphor in language to facilitate change.

   

My Answer: 

Often, Adventure Therapy practices see metaphors as tool in order to help clients discover change within themselves.   There are many different approaches to how to implement metaphors into Adventure Therapy practices.  One which I want to focus on for the purposes of this bog is structured metaphoric transfer where the therapist works with the client to co-create a framework of interpretation about their adventure experience before it actually begins.  This approach increases the likelihood of client focusing on their interpretation of the experience, providing one that is tailored to their needs.

A key term associated with structured metaphoric transfer in Adventure Therapy takes part in the isomorphic framing of the experience.  Basically clients use an idea, object or description that is identical, thus comparable, to another idea object or description that they are dealing with in their everyday life (Gass, Gillis, Russell 2012).This object then serves as a physical representation of that emotion they are feeling or problem they are facing.

A similar approach to the use of isomorphism used by other mental health care professionals is seen in the field of Equine Assisted Psychotherapy.  This video may not represent the most memorable experience of all structured metaphoric transfers, although it explicitly represents what structured metaphoric transfer looks like within Equine Assisted Psychotherapy practices.  If you watch the first minute of the video and then skip to 4:20 on, you can get a better idea of how the client takes away or transfer the activity back into his life at home.  In this video the “boat” is isomorphically framed (or introduced) right from the beginning.  This allows the client to view the boat (constructed of a tarps, jumping blocks, cones and various objects) as the idea that needs to be “sunk” in the clients mind. 

Working with horses often provides people with various passageways to introduce metaphors with how to deal with intimidating and challenging situations in life. In a broader sense a client is able to become more self-aware of how the horse relates to them, their herd and how they relate to the horse.  The opportunities for structured metaphoric transfer are limitless.  Some health care professionals believe anything found in relationships with other people, family dynamics, emotional reactions, behaviors and choices can be played out in equine assisted psychotherapy sessions. 

What other ways have you seen Adventure Therapy, Equine Therapy or other practices use structured metaphoric transfers as vessel for clients to experience change? Is this approach more effective for certain lengths of programs, why or why not?

Citations:

Gass, Michael A., Lee Gillis, and Keith C. Russell. (2012).  Adventure Therapy: Theory, Research, and Practice. New York: Routledge

Trinity Equestrian Center (2010).  Equine Assisted Psychotherapy and Equine Assisted Learning. Retrieved from http://www.trinity-ec.com/trinity_services/eap_eal.phtml

Reins of H.O.P.E. (2012).  Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (EAP). Retrieved from http://www.reinsofhope-ojai.org/eap.html


Romaridge. (2009, January 5) . Life's Obstacles Transitions Equine. Retrieved February, 2013, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGR7NJBFNgk