The use of metaphor to establish acceptance and mindfulness

Abstract

Figurative speech plays two distinct roles in clinical psychology: It serves as a useful clinical tool and guides clinicians' conceptualizations of presenting problems and subsequent interventions (see Leary 1990, for a discussion of metaphor in the history of psychology). Given its utility it is not surprising that metaphors, allegories, similes, analogies, adages, and maxims are found across therapeutic interventions (Blenkiron, 2005; Eynon, 2002; Lyddon, Clay, & Sparks, 2001; Otto, 2000). The current chapter focuses on the functions of figurative speech that are especially related to acceptance-and mindfulness-based approaches. We are emphasizing on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT, said as one word, not initials; Hayes, Strosahl, & Wilson, 1999) both because we know it well and because it seems to raise the key issues in this area that apply to mindfulness approaches more generally. © 2009 Springer-Verlag New York.