Change the Metaphor, Change the Self: An Introduction to Clean Language, Symbolic Modeling, and Metaphor Therapy

Every moment of every day, we are flooded with new information, whether its source is external, through our senses, or internally generated by our mind/body. Metaphor therapy contends that we make sense of what could be an overwhelming flow by encoding the information in metaphor: We find an appropriate image or symbol, imbue it with meaning and emotion, and file it away, as integral a part of our neural network as the original stimulus. Then, like an entry in an internal dictionary, it’s available to our mind and body to reference as to how to categorize and best respond to future challenges. Getting a detailed picture of these internalized metaphors gives both the therapist and the client a vivid map of core beliefs and patterns, conflicts, and blocks and also helps illustrate the client’s inner strengths and resources. Misconceptions and maladaptive solutions reveal themselves as metaphors, and these can be addressed, re-imaged, and resolved at the symbolic level.

In this web conference, Gina Campbell will introduce Clean Language and Symbolic Modeling, therapeutic processes that provide the therapist with tools and strategies for enabling the client to engage experientially with his/her metaphors to foster clarity, enhance resources, and promote lasting change at the mind/body level. Initially developed to work with trauma survivors, Clean Language and Symbolic Modeling are now used with a wide range of clients, dealing with nearly any issue that causes people to seek help, including anxiety, addiction, depression, stress, and grief as well as relationship, career, and existential challenges.

In addition to their therapeutic effectiveness, the significant attributes of these therapies are their fostering of trust and connection between client and therapist, their deep respect for the client as the expert on him/herself, and the way they help keep the clinician’s assumptions, biases, and personal "stuff’ out of the session. Finally, working with images that emerge and evolve unexpectedly, with a sort of dream logic, is fun and fascinating for both client and therapist, helping to keep both committed to the therapy.

Ms. Campbell will also present the theory behind metaphor therapy. Grown from roots in neurolinguistic programming (NLP), Eriksonian hypnosis, systems theory, and cognitive linguistics, metaphor therapy theories now appear to be validated by newer research in brain neuroplasticity and implicit memory.

This web conference is designed to help clinicians:

1. Conceptualize the role of metaphors in shaping and mapping a client’s worldview and responses;
2. Explain how modeling metaphor systems can support their therapeutic goals;
3. Describe how they might empower clients to creatively interact with their metaphors so they are in charge of prescribing and enabling change;
4. Integrate Clean Language skills with other therapy models to enhance client-counselor rapport and therapeutic effectiveness.

If you have any questions about this event, or would like more information, please contact us here.

Continuing Education (CE) Information

1.5 CE credits will be provided by GoodTherapy.org for attending this web conference in its entirety.

GoodTherapy.org is also an Approved Education Provider by NAADAC, The Association for Addiction Professionals (provider #135463). Of the eight counselor skill groups ascribed to by NAADAC, this course is classified within counseling services.

GoodTherapy.org is an NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEPTM) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements.

GoodTherapy.org is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. GoodTherapy.org maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

GoodTherapy.org, SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0395. 

To receive CE credit hours for an archived event, you will need to complete a survey as well as a 12 or 15-question exam, verifying that you listened to or watched the event in its entirety. Archived CE events generally are considered "homestudy" by licensing boards.

Registration Information

Premium and Pro Membership with GoodTherapy includes access to this web conference at no additional cost, as well as other member benefits such as a profile listing in GoodTherapy's Therapist Directory. Not yet a member? Sign up for a Premium or Pro Membership, here.

Just want CE credits? Sign up for a monthly or annual CE Subscription with GoodTherapy to get unlimited access to our CE Program, including this event, other live CE web conferences, and hundreds of hours of homestudy courses.

Mental health professionals who are not members can access the homestudy recording for $15.50. Sign up here to purchase this CE course and earn a CE certificate.

If the event is canceled by GoodTherapy, registrants who purchased the event will be notified and the charge for the event will be refunded

If you have any questions or would like information regarding disability accommodations, please contact us.

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