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Individual variation in the use of symbolic aspects of the treatment situation has been theorized across client groups of varying developmental profiles. In particular, the use of metaphor is thought to be different in the therapies with Borderline clients. The present study involved an intensive qualitative analysis of metaphoric expressions from Borderline and non-Borderline psychotherapy sessions. Open-ended interviews were conducted with 2 therapists and 4 clients (2 Borderline; 2 non-Borderline) following single sessions from psychoanalytically oriented long term psychotherapies. The analysis of data found significant differences in the therapeutic interaction which led to the major core categories of (a) Literal Mode of Interaction and (b) Representational Mode of Interaction, representing the Borderline and non-Borderline sessions respectively. The characteristics of these two modes underscored the differences found
This paper is based on the results of a dissertation completed by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a PhD degree at Smith College School for Social Work. Northampton, MA.
in the use of metaphor between the two client groups. Implications for clinical practice are discussed.