1. Powerful Therapeutic Metaphors
Using RFT to Create
Powerful Therapeutic Metaphors
Yvonne Barnes-Holmes,
Dermot Barnes-Holmes,
& Ian Stewart

2. Workshop Overview The current workshop consists of three parts:
Overview of the RFT account of analogy and metaphor
De-construction of examples of ACT metaphors
Construction of novel metaphors for clinical practice

3. Understanding Analogy
& Metaphor
Relational frame theorists have employed the concept of relating relations, as the basic process underlying the verbal abilities for understanding and constructing analogies and metaphors
At its most basic, Barnes, Hegarty, and Smeets (1997) proposed a model of analogical reasoning that involved responding in accordance with equivalence-equivalence relations (i.e. the relating together of derived equivalence relations)

4. Equivalence-Equivalence
APPLE
DOG
Equivalence-Equivalence
Equivalent
Equivalent
PEACH
SHEEP

5. Is that it?
The previous example involved the derivation of arbitrary stimulus relations
But analogies and metaphors also appear to abstract out non-arbitrary relations among events
Consider the analogy Apple is to Peach as Dog is to Sheep
This abstracts out specific non-arbitrary properties that pertain to each of the two sets of relations

6. Equivalence-Equivalence
Crels
Round, juicy, edible
Crels
Hairy, four legs, lives in groups
Equivalent
APPLE
SHEEP
PEACH
DOG
Equivalence-Equivalence
The analogy then also allows two sets of non-arbitrary properties to function as Crels for the two equivalence relations

7. Understanding Analogy & Metaphor
So, two of the central features of the RFT theoretical and empirical model of analogy and metaphor are :
Relations between derived arbitrary relations
Relating based on the abstraction of non-arbitrary properties

8. Understanding Analogy & Metaphor
Because the relating of the derived relations most often involves a relation of coordination, it is common that individuals experience this as a novel insight or “Aha!”
And this of course, may be based on the fact that the two related events give rise to similar somatic outcomes, such as the same feeling

9. Understanding Analogy & Metaphor
However, it is errroneous to think of analogies/metaphors as simply the compounding of one or two relations of coordination, especially when the metaphors in question are used for clinical purposes
Instead, these are substantive relational networks, that require sophisticated verbal histories of shared knowledge and experience
Take a look at this . . .

10. Struggling with Anxiety is Like Struggling in Quicksand
Struggle
in quicksand
Drowning
CAUSAL
RELATION
with anxiety
Panic attack
SAME
ACTUAL struggle with anxiety
ACTUAL panic attack
ACTUAL struggle in quicksand
ACTUAL drowning
Arbitrary Crel for Co-ordination
“Same Sort of Feeling” = Non-Arbitrary Crel for Co-ordination
(The “Aha” Experience)
Choking
Can’t breathe

11. Understanding Analogy & Metaphor
Of course, metaphors are practically useless for clinical purposes if they fail to facilitate behaviour change
And thus some specific transformations of function must be targeted with the relational networks and in such a way that they make the behaviour change seem feasible

12. Struggling with Anxiety is Like Struggling in Quicksand
Struggle
in quicksand
Drowning
CAUSAL
RELATION
with anxiety
Panic attack
SAME
ACTUAL struggle with anxiety
ACTUAL panic attack
ACTUAL struggle in quicksand
ACTUAL drowning
Choking
Can’t breathe
Next Trip to the Mall = Cfunc for Transfer Of Functions
(A Subsequent Change in Behaviour)

13. Secrets for Constructing Good Clinical Metaphors
Try to unhinge yourself from the verbal traps and frustration if you are finding a metaphor for a problem that you have been struggling with for some time
You could maybe even think of a metaphor that would describe yourself in this situation!

14. Secrets for Constructing Good Clinical Metaphors
Try to think in precise and simplistic terms about the client’s:
existing relational network (think of this as the target)
the types of relations contained therein
the transformations of functions that currently occur
If it helps, even draw them out in order to try to illucidate target non-arbitrary properties
The closer your vehicle (i.e. the other network you construct with the metaphor) matches the target relationally, the better will be your metaphor

15. Secrets for Constructing Good Clinical Metaphors
Once you have the target network in mind, try to think through the non-arbitrary features of this
And then identify what happens to the client when she experiences these properties
Often, the properties are coordinated with evaluations like stupid, disgusting, hopeless and these participate in self-relations (and that’s why she feels so bad about herself) and she desperately wants you to share in these (i.e. co-ordination relations in the perspective-taking frames)

16. Trying to Find Solutions is Like Digging in a Hole
Feelings generated by target network:
Repetitive
Feels painful
Overwhelming
Feelings generated by the vehicle:
Getting deeper
Dark
Helpless . . .???
Finding solutions
Dig in hole
SAME
Getting
confused
Sinking
In this case, the vehicle enhances aspects of the
properties associated with the target

17. Secrets for Constructing Good Clinical Metaphors
Networks
Specific relations
Non-arbitrary properties
Behaviour change