Unlike simple analogies, a therapeutic metaphor—in Gordon’s model—is a that mirrors the client’s problem structure without explicitly naming it. Gordon drew heavily from Milton Erickson’s naturalistic hypnosis, but systematized the process into teachable, repeatable patterns.
: Focuses on tailoring metaphors using visual, auditory, and kinesthetic modalities to match a client's unique internal "language". david gordon therapeutic metaphors pdf
By wrapping the therapeutic message in a narrative that is ostensibly about someone else—a character in a story, an animal, or a historical figure—the therapist bypasses the client's conscious defenses. The client listens to a story about a "young prince who couldn't leave his castle" and relaxes, feeling they are being entertained rather than analyzed. However, because the structure of the story (the metaphor) mirrors the structure of the client’s problem (isomorphism), the client subconsciously identifies with the protagonist. They process the solution to the prince's problem internally, arriving at their own conclusion without the resistance triggered by a direct command. By wrapping the therapeutic message in a narrative
Many practitioners search for PDF versions of Gordon's work to use as quick-reference guides during clinical practice. Having a digital copy allows for: They process the solution to the prince's problem
Citation example (APA 7th, adapt once publication details set) Gordon, D. (Year). Therapeutic metaphors: Helping others to overcome life’s problems [PDF]. Publisher.
The story must have a "structural similarity" to the client's life. If a client is struggling with a micromanaging boss, the story might be about a gardener who chokes his plants by over-watering them. 4. Anchoring the Resolution
However, there is a distinction to be made: