The Use of Metaphor to Overcome Inmate Resistance to Mental Health Counseling

The I‐C‐A‐C framework: Uncovering patients’ experiences

“…The nature of metaphors allows us to embrace multiple meanings (Romig & Gruenke 2001). Metaphors can help patients express their needs and anxieties, as illustrated in the above case example and in other literature (Reynolds 1996).…”

“…The term metaphor is derived from the Greek meta pherein meaning to carry over (James & Hazier 1998). Metaphor is a non‐literal form of communication that has been used for centuries in the form of stories, myths, parables, fairy tales, allegories, anecdotes, and clichés (Romig & Gruenke 2001). Various disciplines are interested in the use of metaphors.…”

Mandated Clients in Career or Employment Counseling

“…In addition, counseling typically involves the client choosing the goal or goals for the counseling sessions as determined by the problems that are being experienced. In the case of mandated clients, the goal is most often set by the government agency or contracted agency that is offering the service (Romig & Gruenke, 1991), and with employment or career clients, the goal is most often related to becoming reconnected to the labor market so as to stop the need for government financial assistance.…”

“…Several questions can arise in working with mandated clients for both the counselor and the client. Both may be influenced by the dual roles of the counselor (Romig & Gruenke, 1991). On the one hand, the counselor is there to help clients address their problems and develop effective action plans suited to the needs of each particu-lar client.…”

“…In examining the literature regarding mandated clients, it becomes evident that little has been written about these clients within the context of career counseling. Much of the information available focuses on compulsory counseling for prisoners (Romig & Gruenke, 1991), mental health clients (Riordan & Martin, 1993), marriage partners (Sampel & Seymour, 1980), and for individuals who are ordered by the court to have treatment for drug and alcohol abuse (Larke, 1985;Slonim-Nevo, 1996) or those who are in other ways involved in the criminal justice system. In all of these contexts, it is recognized that the involuntary nature of the counseling influences the counseling process and outcome.…”