The business of cognitive therapy is to transform meanings. What better way to achieve this than through a metaphor? Metaphors straddle two different domains at once, providing a conceptual bridge from a problematic interpretation to a fresh new perspective that can cast one's experiences in a new light. Even the simplest metaphor can be used again and again with different clients, yet still achieve the desired effect. One such example is the 'broken leg' metaphor for depression. Clients with depression are understandably frustrated with their symptoms. They may often push themselves to get better or tell themselves that they should be better by now. As a therapist, it is fair to ask, would the client be so harsh and demanding on herself after getting a broken leg? A broken leg needs time to heal and you need to begin to walk on it gradually as it builds up in strength. "You can't run before you can walk," and if you try, you are likely to make it worse. For many clients this simple metaphor is enlightening, changing their view of their symptoms as a sign of their own laziness and worthlessness, to a view of them as part of an understandable illness, that while open to improvement, cannot get better over night.
This book is the first to show just how metaphors can be used productively in CBT as an integral part of the treatment. It describes the use of metaphors for a wide range of problems, including anxiety and depression, and provides countless examples of metaphors that have been used by others in CBT. It brings together in one place hundreds of metaphors that experienced therapists have used to great success. It will be a valuable sourcebook for all cognitive behaviour therapists, as well as those training in CBT.

The therapeutic relationship in CBT is often reduced to a cursory description of establishing warmth, genuineness and empathy in order to foster a collaborative relationship. This does not reflect the different approaches needed to establish a therapeutic partnership for the wide range of disorders and settings in which CBT is applied. This book takes a client group and disorder approach with chapters split into four sections: General issues in the therapeutic relationship in CBT Therapeutic relationship issues in specific disorders Working with specific client groups Interpersonal considerations in particular delivery situations Each chapter outlines key challenges therapists face in a specific context, how to predict and prevent ruptures in the therapeutic alliance and how to work with these ruptures when they occur. With clinical vignettes, dialogue examples and 'tips for therapists' this book is key reading for CBT therapists at all levels.

The therapeutic relationship in CBT is often reduced to a cursory description of establishing warmth, genuineness and empathy in order to foster a collaborative relationship. This does not reflect the different approaches needed to establish a therapeutic partnership for the wide range of disorders and settings in which CBT is applied. This book takes a client group and disorder approach with chapters split into four sections: General issues in the therapeutic relationship in CBT Therapeutic relationship issues in specific disorders Working with specific client groups Interpersonal considerations in particular delivery situations Each chapter outlines key challenges therapists face in a specific context, how to predict and prevent ruptures in the therapeutic alliance and how to work with these ruptures when they occur. With clinical vignettes, dialogue examples and 'tips for therapists' this book is key reading for CBT therapists at all levels.