Dissertation - World Federation of Music Therapy

in chapter 2 of Pedersen’s book: an expanded understanding of metaphor is worked
out in the double perspective of (a) Metaphor as an expression of the experience, (b)
Metaphoric structuring of the experience. Metaphors are formed by and give form to
the experience: Preconceptual experience enables the identification of similarities and
analogies between different phenomena and aspects of the experience, and this is
expressed in metaphoric statements.
The experiential world is a world of creative construction on a realistic basis, i.e. both
with reference to the external world of the client and an embodied 'basic level
categorization' of these external realities. Verbal symbolization is always selective,
and meaning is a process of interplay between the body and the world (p. 56).
The practical role and technical function of metaphor in psychotherapy is studied
under the headlines communication and change. Changes may be identified in first,
second or third “order”: In the first order (structure) a change is found when a
metaphor is evoked as a symbolization of a problem or phenomena for the first time
(Pedersen’s example is ‘my marriage is a prison’). A second order (content) change is
the replacement of one metaphor with another (‘my marriage is (now) a mission’). A
third order (structural) change is a fundamental change in the client’s understanding
of metaphorical symbolization, enabling a creative attitude towards the meaning of
metaphor (‘my marriage can be described by many meaningful metaphors’).
The integrative perspective of Pedersen’s study cancels the dichotomy between the
focus on metaphor as formed by the experience (advocated in humanistic and
experiential therapy) or metaphor as forming the experience (advocated in
hypnotherapy, narrative and constructivist therapy). Both perspectives are necessary,
as it is necessary to cancel the dichotomy of the creative vs. the pathological
metaphor. The therapist may suggest metaphor, but for the process of symbolization
to develop it is important that the client explores and expresses his/her own
metaphors. – Concluding, a double function of metaphor in psychotherapy is outlined:
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1. Metaphors enable a connection between language and the ‘tacit’ experiential
knowledge of the client – “Bridging the intrapersonal gap of understanding”.
2. Metaphorical communication enhances empathy and contact in the therapeutic
relationship –"Bridging the interpersonal gap of understanding").