Bibliotherapy and DCT: Co‐Constructing the Therapeutic Metaphor

Abstract

Bibilotherapy is presented as a strategy for cocreating therapeutic metaphors with clients. The use of these metaphors for promoting both first and second order change is enhanced when the metaphor is processed using Developmental Counseling and Therapy (DCT). Case examples are included to illustrate the combined use of these techniques.

Utilizing Fictional Stories When Counseling Adults

“…Individual interpretations of the fictional story acknowledge and validate clients' life experiences (Brown, 2006;Cascio & Gasker, 2001;Myers, 1998;Pehrsson & McMillen, 2005;Sommer & Cox), while helping counselors gain insight into their client's unique truths and phenomenological view (Alvarado & Cavazos, 2006). Allowing clients to verbalize their own interpretations helps them clarify the meaning of life experiences and find strength in living a meaningful life (Furman, 2003).…”

“…This can result in an experience of catharsis. Indeed, clients' expressions of their blocks, fears, wounds, passions, and possibilities (Harney, 2000;Taylor et al, 2002) occur via the dynamic interaction between the clients' emotions and the story (Carlson, 2001;LeLieuvre;Myers, 1998). These expressions can make abstract realities concrete and deepen clients' self awareness.…”

“…Fictional stories engage and strengthen the client's capacity for critical thinking (Carlson, 2001;Rosenthal, 1998;Stepakoff, 1997) (Myers, 1998;Sommers-Flanagan & Sommers-Flanagan, 1997). They stimulate discussion about problems (Jackson, 2001), introduce new concepts (Alvarado & Cavazos, 2006;Briggs & Pehrsson, 2008;Jackson, 2001;Lyddon et al, 2001), expand perceptions (Stepakoff), enlarge perspectives (Briggs & Pehrsson;Harney, 2000), increase consideration of new values and attitudes (Jackson), and augment insight (Briggs & Pehrsson;Jackson, 2001) to generate solutions (Briggs & Pehrsson;Lyddon et al, 2001).…”

“…Fictional stories evoke metaphorical messages that help bridge cultural (Greenbaum & Holmes, 1983), socioeconomic, gender, and other gaps that may exist among group members or between clients and counselors. Simultaneously, counselors need to be mindful of the cultural context influencing how the fictional story will be perceived by clients (Briggs & Pehrsson, 2008;Myers, 1998). The client's cultural values and norms should be considered when selecting a fictional story for a therapeutic setting.…”

Webotherapy: reading web resources for problem solving

“…The reader becomes part of the unfolding intellectual and emotional process of the story, and in struggling to understand what is being communicated at the deepest levels, the reader responds by making a positive alternation or modification in behavior or attitude (Myers, 1998).…”