Pdf — David Gordon Therapeutic Metaphors

David Gordon's Therapeutic Metaphors (1978) is a foundational text in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Ericksonian therapy, providing a structured approach to using storytelling for behavioral change. Core Premise The book moves beyond "intuitive" storytelling to offer a replicable format

"The castle had a dungeon," she said softly. "And in the deepest part of that dungeon, there was a prisoner. But the strange thing was, the door to the cell was unlocked. It had been unlocked for years. The prisoner could have walked out at any time. But he stayed. Because he had been told the dragon was still outside." david gordon therapeutic metaphors pdf

Portability: Accessing the framework on a tablet or laptop during session prep. 🚀 Impact on Modern Psychotherapy The “A” (analog) and “B” (client) stories: You

: Practical strategies for delivering these stories effectively during a session. Recommended Resources Full Text (Borrow/Read) Internet Archive hosts a digital copy of the 1978 edition for borrowing. Document Summaries : Platforms like provide detailed outlines and chapter breakdowns. Academic Context : Researchers on ResearchGate By wrapping the therapeutic message in a narrative

  1. The “A” (analog) and “B” (client) stories: You tell a story about someone else (e.g., a character facing a dilemma) whose relational structure (obstacle → resource → resolution) parallels the client’s situation.
  2. Interspersal technique: Weaving therapeutic suggestions and presuppositions into the narrative so they bypass conscious resistance.
  3. Utilization: Incorporating the client’s own words, gestures, and language patterns into the metaphor to build rapport and relevance.

By wrapping the therapeutic message in a narrative that is ostensibly about someone else—a character in a story, an animal, or a historical figure—the therapist bypasses the client's conscious defenses. The client listens to a story about a "young prince who couldn't leave his castle" and relaxes, feeling they are being entertained rather than analyzed. However, because the structure of the story (the metaphor) mirrors the structure of the client’s problem (isomorphism), the client subconsciously identifies with the protagonist. They process the solution to the prince's problem internally, arriving at their own conclusion without the resistance triggered by a direct command.