Metaphor in psychodynamic psychotherapy with borderline and non-borderline clients: A qualitative analysis

Author(s): Angus, L.

Journal/Book: Psychotherapy. 1996; 33: 3900 E Camelback Rd #200, Phoenix, AZ 85018. Amer Psychological Assoc, Div Psychotherapy. 521-530.

Abstract: While the question of client individual differences in metaphor use has been discussed in the case study literature, very fay empirical studies have addressed this issue, particularly as manifested in the therapeutic situation. In order to address this gap the present study undertook an intensive, qualitative analysis of both Borderline and non-Borderline client's and therapist's experiences of metaphoric expression in a single psychotherapy session. The sample for this study consisted of a single therapy session and postsession, open-ended interviews conducted with 2 therapists and 4 clients (2 Borderline; 2 non-Borderline) who were actively engaged in psychoanalytically-oriented, long-term psychotherapy. Three major subcategories: (i) metaphors illuminate clinical issues, (ii) metaphor functions to depict clients' self and object relationships, and (iii) therapist metaphor stimulates an intensification of client experiential engagement in the therapy hour emerged from the intensive analyses of the Inquiry interview transcripts. Patterns differentiating the Borderline and non-Borderline dyads in relation to metaphor use were discussed in the context of the two core categories-the Representation Mode of Interaction and the Literal Mode of Interaction-which emerged from the qualitative analysis of the Inquiry and therapy session transcripts.

Note: Article Rasmussen B, Okanagan Univ Coll, Fac Hlth & Social Dev, 100 Klo Rd, Kleowana, BC V1Y 4X8, CANADA

Keyword(s): FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE; VYGOTSKIAN PSYCHOLOGY; PSYCHOANALYSIS; EXPRESSION

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