Abstract
Metaphorical content is abundant in the therapeutic process and has been noted and utilized in a variety of ways and settings by clinicians in the field. This paper focuses on metaphorical content in a marital therapy group and relates group metaphors to the life stages of group development. The co-authors illustrate the use of metaphors to assess the developmental stage of the group and to assist the therapist(s) in leading the group toward further growth and development. Figures are utilized to display the occurrence of metaphors by group stage, and a case example of a frequently stated group metaphor is offered to illustrate this process.
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Gatz, Y., Christie, L. Marital group metaphors: Significance in the life stages of group development. Contemp Fam Ther 13, 103–126 (1991). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00890870
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00890870