Change the Metaphor, Change the Self:
An Introduction to Clean Language, Symbolic Modeling, and Metaphor Therapy Presented by Gina Campbell, M.Ed., CAPF, CCF

Web Conference Description

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, as well as of the client’s inner strengths and resources. Misconceptions and maladaptive solutions reveal themselves as metaphors, and 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 most any issue that cause people to seek help, including anxiety, addiction, depression, stress, grief, and relationship, career, and existential challenges. In addition to their therapeutic effectiveness, the therapies’ significant attributes are their fostering of trust and connection between client and therapist, their deep respect for the client as the expert on him/herself, and how 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 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) Understand how modeling metaphor systems can support their therapeutic goals;     
3) Envision 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 Web Conference, or would like more information, please contact us here.