|
Individual · Couples ·
Family · Group Psychotherapy · Trauma |
|
Spatial Metaphor
Therapy
Some
of you are aware that David Grove has been conducting workshops and
healing retreats at Meramec Counseling since the late 80's. The last ten
years have been witness to the incredible growth and development of David’s
metaphor theory.
Originally, David presented the concept of “clean language” and used
non-judgmental questions to ascertain how clients were storing their
unresolved feelings and issues. His theory is that during traumatic events
time slows down for the individual and as the trauma is occurring, the
person “stops time” before the worst moment of the trauma. Once time has
stopped for that person, that part of them is unable to move on in life.
Part of them is literally “stuck” at the time of the events.
Many people suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome)
experience debilitating flashbacks. David used clean language to help the
client move forward by going over, around or through that worst moment using
the person’s own metaphors so that their hurt child can “grow herself up”
and her attention will not always have to return to those traumatic events.
David’s newest theories add clarity about how we store our past in the
spaces around us. Clients can map out those spaces and create change in
their destructive life patterns. He calls this the use of “clean space”.
When I first met David, I asked him how he had figured out these theories.
He responded that he had listened to his clients. I went back to my job from
that workshop determined to listen with a different ear. Sure enough, the
first client of the week said in his introductory sentence, “I’m here
because I have a wall.” Stunned, I tried to think of the
“right” David Grove question to ask him. Seeing the client look at me
through his hands which he was clearly placing on his “wall” between us, I
blurted out, “Is it a glass wall?” The gentleman gave me a strange
look and said, “No, it is Plexiglas.” I had to laugh because of course
no one would create a glass wall for protection. But Plexiglas was a
brilliant choice – hard AND see- through.
David is constantly
updating and expanding his techniques. He is a patient and respectful
therapist who works with clients in an innovative fashion. I always
look forward to the next step and application of his theory. |