Jeff Levy, LCSW
Mental Health, Relationships, Trauma, Identity
Jeff Levy, LCSW (originally published on Branching Out: The Live Oak Blog, and Linked In, January 2019) The process of therapy can be daunting, especially when we don’t really understand what it’s “supposed” to look like or why sitting in a room with another person somehow helps us make lasting changes. Using metaphors as part of the psychotherapy process is not uncommon. Articles and books have been written on the topic with most folks recognizing the utility of metaphors.
Merriam Webster defines metaphor as “a figure of speech in which a word or phrase literally denoting one kind of object or idea is used in place of another to suggest a likeness or analogy between them.” Therapists and clients alike may use metaphors to foster increased understanding of an experience or a series of experiences. Shared understanding of experiences allows us to speak the same language, feel heard, experience greater connection, and ultimately, to better explore the changes we seek to make.
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1/12/2019 0 Comments Healing SpiralsJeff Levy, LCSW (originally posted on Branching Out: The Live Oak Blog, January 2015) Endings and beginnings serve a purpose. They punctuate change. They allow us to put a hard stop on a process that has been painful. They invite us to start anew with a fresh perspective. They allow us to celebrate accomplishments. They enable us to set goals for further accomplishments. Still, as I let my thinking wander, I realize that endings and beginnings, despite the externally created structures, are often self-imposed. In fact, it might be equally important to acknowledge that some things shouldn’t or even don’t end. In some instances, in seeking a finite ending, we actually experience even greater distress. |
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February 2019
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