Aside from these metaphor categories, it happens that during counselling we find other
metaphors, built on individual and cultural experiences of people counselled (Amundson,
2005a). Below are a few examples:
Metaphor Significance
Anomaly A deviation or removal from the usual way of dong things
Adventure A risky initiative with uncertain outcome
Artisanship Creative use of abilities in making a product
Kaleidoscope Changeable patterns
Calling Internal need, strong attraction towards an activity or environment
Exhibition A way to display talents
Management Creating new organizations and structures
Puzzle Pieces of an image to be formed
Ladder Instrument for ascension
Zenith The highest point; time or place of maximum force, prosperity or joyCounsellor and client may adhere to different, occasionally contrasting metaphors or may
structure their concepts of self and world around a number of metaphors. They can be
facilitators or obstacles in the act of counselling.
Using metaphors in counselling presupposes:
Identifying the metaphor / key metaphors and examining the career from this point of
view
Career metaphors express both expectations and frustrations perceived by the client.
Investigating these elements becomes important in the career exploration process.
Metaphors are not just a form of expression, but also a way of structuring thinking. They
describe reality in familiar terms, allowing seeing the events from a special perspective.
The career exploration process will thus be oriented towards elaborating client’s
metaphor. Each metaphor generated by client can be extended through questions, to
clarify the significance of the various components of the metaphor. For example, for
persons conceptualising career as climbing a mountain, it is important to be aware of their
current position, starting point and goal, their fellow travellers, luggage, difficulties
overcome or still lying ahead, etc. These issues aim to explore the metaphor-image and
extend it to other aspects that can be metaphorically expressed. For instance, in the case
presented above, the motivational aspect can also be explored, what prompted the person
to choose this variant, and personal satisfaction derived from completing the climb. In
addition, related metaphors may be explored, such as career as role, as relationship.
By focusing on a metaphor, clients externalise the problem-solving process, becoming
more actively involved in identifying solutions.