The Use of Metaphor in Clinical Supervision

In this article, literature describing the use of metaphor in clinical supervision is critically reviewed and presented. Metaphorical activities such as stories, artwork, and the sand tray are described and research examining the efficacy of these activities is examined. The authors conclude that metaphoric activities provide potential for assisting students in understanding the process of becoming a counselor and facilitating students’ case conceptualization skills. The authors also provide cautions to consider when implementing metaphoric activities, limitations of research that has investigated the effectiveness of using metaphors in supervision, and suggestions for future research in this area