🗣️ Metaphorically speaking…

Milton Erickson:

The Tactician of the Here and Now

Erickson used metaphors like a craftsman wielding fine tools. His stories were:

Tailored and strategic: dynamically responsive to a client’s current state

Indirect: metaphors subtly shift attention without confrontation

Embedded: in everyday language, such as “the part of you that already knows” to bypass resistance

These metaphors work because they speak directly to the subconscious while letting the conscious mind relax.

Carl Jung:

The Keeper of Archetypes

Jung brought metaphors into the deep structure of psyche. His approach is:

• Timeless: emerging from shared human experience

• Archetypal: think the Hero, the Shadow, the Wise Old Man

• Transformational: guiding clients to see personal meaning in universal symbols

In therapy, these metaphors help people locate their journey within the tapestry of human story.

Why Metaphors Work in Hypnotherapy

Metaphors speak to the emotional mind without triggering critical resistance.

Clients engage the image and uncover their own meaning and solutions.

Metaphoric symbols (like a growing tree or steady flame) provide lasting internal strength.

Client: “I feel stuck after my trauma.

Ericksonian Metaphor: “What’s that part of you that knows life isn’t finished yet? Could you let it just whisper for a moment?” This softly bypasses resistance and reorients toward inner confidence.

Jungian Metaphor: “Imagine you’re walking a path through a forest and you meet the Wise Old Tree, rooted and unshakeable. What happens when you offer your hand and let it guide you?” This invites sense of belonging to something larger than personal struggle.

1. Begin with curiosity: ask what images or stories come naturally.

2. Observe: their imagery. Let their symbols form the metaphor.

3. Invite new meaning: simple questions like “What does that tree want you to know?” go a long way.

4. Reinforce: the experience: “That whisper of strength is yours anytime you need it.”

Our Trauma Focused Hypnotherapy Course dives further into Erickson’s subtle guidance and Jung’s archetypal imagery. You’ll learn to craft metaphors that land and transform.

And join us in person Saturday, October 25th from 9 am to noon for our next Quarterly Meeting. We’ll explore live metaphor examples, share stories, and network with fellow trauma-informed practitioners. This event is open to all current and new course members.