Abstract
Images and metaphors help to structure the therapist’s belief system in two ways. First, images represent strategies used
by therapists in order to simplify the most abstract theoretical concepts. Second, images provide a system according for organizing
the information about a client and anticipate the patterns of client change. Within the theoretical frameworks of social representations
and of goal directed action theory, the present study explores the metaphorical aspects linked with therapeutic knowledge.
This study aims to reconstruct the social representations that therapists use to objectify their theoretical model. The present
research relies on a qualitative methodology. The results show that therapists from different orientations rely on different
metaphors although, in certain conditions, they tend to share a more general representational system. Implications for psychotherapy
training and clinical practice are considered.
by therapists in order to simplify the most abstract theoretical concepts. Second, images provide a system according for organizing
the information about a client and anticipate the patterns of client change. Within the theoretical frameworks of social representations
and of goal directed action theory, the present study explores the metaphorical aspects linked with therapeutic knowledge.
This study aims to reconstruct the social representations that therapists use to objectify their theoretical model. The present
research relies on a qualitative methodology. The results show that therapists from different orientations rely on different
metaphors although, in certain conditions, they tend to share a more general representational system. Implications for psychotherapy
training and clinical practice are considered.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-8
- DOI 10.1007/s10879-011-9188-y
- Authors
- Diego Romaioli, Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology, University of Verona, Ldg. Porta Vittoria, 17, 37129 Verona, Italy
- Alberta Contarello, Department of Applied Psychology, University of Padova, via Venezia, 8, 35131 Padua, Italy
- Journal Journal of Contemporary Psychotherapy
- Online ISSN 1573-3564
- Print ISSN 0022-0116