The Analyst's Use of the Lost-and-Found Metaphor in Psychoanalysis

In his great poem “Directive” (1947), Robert Frost sets forth the crucial paradox of finding-in-losing. This paradox presents itself in therapy as well. In order for patients to “find themselves,” they often initially experience themselves as feeling lost and demoralized (Frank, 1981).

As I reread “Directive” late one night, it dawned on me how powerful the lost-and-found metaphor had been over the years for both my patients and for myself. That realization provided the impetus for me to further explore the aptness of the metaphor for a variety of patients across a range of situations.

Beginning with Freud, analysts have chosen a wide range of metaphors to elucidate psychoanalytic theory and practice. Provided that we avoid the pitfalls of reification, metaphors chosen by the analyst can facilitate understanding when they reflect the nature of the patient's experience.

Young (1992) has pointed out some useful considerations for the selection of metaphors, including simplicity and familiarity of the image, along with the likelihood that the metaphor will provide a general fit with the inner psychic reality of the patient. The lost-and-found metaphor, in meeting these criteria, has been beneficial in many clinical situations.

Linden (1985) noted that metaphor evolved from being viewed