Metaphors and Stories as Hypnotic Communication
Metaphors and stories are hypnotic communication, as Milton Erickson demonstrated in his work and teachings (Combs &Freedman, 1990; Rosen, 1982). A metaphor is a figure of speech that involves using something to stand for something else (e.g., being “blue” refers to being depressed). Stories are often metaphorical in nature, are frequently infused with imagery and emotion, and connect events through time.
When listening to stories, people are not passive recipients, but rather active interpreters looking to resolve ambiguity, join the narrative and understand the underlying message and plot. With the right metaphor or story, people will listen closer, think harder, and become more absorbed. When stories are compelling, they are experienced holistically (i.e., complete mind-body experience) and they give us permission to suspend our disbelief (decreasing critical mind restraints).
Metaphors and stories, therefore, capture our conscious attention and concurrently allow our subconscious mind to make new associations. Confusion, surprise, and novelty are common features of good clinical metaphors and stories, which open and then orient attention towards positive change. Finally, metaphors and stories are often indirect in how they offer information and therefore less threatening to the recipient.
It is important to note that all stories and metaphors are both multidimensional and limiting. They can highlight many different aspects of experience but they nevertheless obscure other aspects. Some stories can become frozen, and become a form of fundamentalism with one fixed truth, thus inhibiting change. Our lives are, however, multistoried, and consequently, identifying the stories and metaphors that promote life-affirming action and change is a powerful intervention (McAdams & McLean, 2013).
This means that we need to listen carefully for both resources and limitations in the stories and metaphors that people bring forth. Additionally, we should be cautious when utilizing stories not to rely on negative emotions too much because it can shut people down (e.g., activate neuromuscular lock). When negative emotions are essential in the story, it is important to couple the negative messages with empowering ones and moves to solutions (Conger 2013; Denning, 2013).
An effective clinical story/metaphor generally needs to have surprise in order to orient attention and open the mindset of the receiver. Additionally, an effective story/metaphor needs to ring true for the audience (i.e., needs to be understandable). When a story/metaphor rings true, the listener experiences a felt sense shift in their state in addition to a cognitive awareness. Finally, an effective story/metaphor will have direction and impact. It will point the listener towards life-affirming change.
In clinical contexts, developing and utilizing stories or metaphors that arise from the client’s narrative can be especially effective in building rapport, engagement, and impact.
References
Combs, G., & Freedman, J. (1990). Symbol, story & ceremony: Using metaphor in individual and family therapy. W.W. Norton & Company.
Conger, J. (2013). “The necessary art of persuasion.” In HBR’s 10 must reads: On communication (pp. 67–90). HBR Press.
Denning, S. (2013). “Telling Tales.” In HBR’s 10 must reads: On communication (pp. 115–130). HBR Press.
McAdams, D. P., & McLean, K. C. (2013). Narrative identity. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 22(3), 233–238.
Rosen, S. (1982). My voice will go with you: The teaching tales of Milton H. Erickson. W. W. Norton & Company.
Excerpt from my book: CORE Hypnosis
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