AASW Webinar Recording | Storytelling and Metaphors in Clinical Practice

Let me tell you a story…

Social workers, and clinical mental health practitioners more generally, have long recognised the power of language in working with clients, particularly through use of storytelling and metaphor. Despite this, many practitioners identify a hesitation in making greater use of these tools, citing “I’m not creative enough” or “I don’t want to distract from the main goals of the work”.

This webinar will explore some of the historical and cultural roots of storytelling and discuss how metaphor and storytelling can provide richer meaning and insight for clients. The session will also identify particular examples of powerful stories and metaphors in practice, and explore ways in which practitioners can further build upon these skills within their own client work.

Examples from clinical practice will be provided throughout, and participants are invited to reflect upon and share their own examples of storytelling and metaphors, including in response to a provided example case study.

Who should register? Suitable for emerging, evolving and established practitioners working in a therapeutic setting or within goal-based client work.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this program, participants will be able to:

• Understand the roots of metaphor and storytelling in practice, including historical and cultural underpinnings
• Identify a range of appropriate applications of storytelling with clients, including practitioner-led and client-led
• Understand the use of metaphor with clients at multiple levels, including verbal and spatial applications
• Apply examples of metaphor and storytelling strategies appropriately, including application against a clinical case study

AASW Credentials: Mental Health; Clinical