Modern psychotherapy offers many different approaches to working with dependent and codependent clients. These are group techniques, and hypnosis, and individual counseling, and art therapy. It in turn includes techniques that help addicted clients and their families. And working with metaphorical, or associative, cards is one of such unusual methods.
How do these cards work? How do they help those suffering from substance abuse and those whose loved ones are in trouble? We talked about this with a psychologist, a specialist in the field of art therapy, Elena Asensio Martinez.
In a fantasy world
“Associative maps are a tool that has been widely used in psychological counseling and therapy for a long time,” says Martinez.
Why are they so called?
“The fact is that the images presented on the cards, as a rule, cause a person to associate with his own life situation. They remind the client of himself, evoke memories of someone close to him. Such cards are also called metaphorical, because working with them involves working primarily with a visual metaphor, as well as with a verbal, verbal metaphor. That is, the client describes in his own words what he sees on the map,” Martinez explains.
The pictures that we see give free rein to our imagination, we can figuratively talk about what worries us. Why has this method gained popularity among psychologists and art therapists?
“Maps help the client to more accurately and fully describe what is happening in life. They «speak» the language of images and symbols, and this helps the client to describe the content of his inner world, to have a more spontaneous and frank conversation about his feelings, needs, desires. With the “support” of the cards, it is easier to move on to a topic that is difficult for the client, to streamline the story about the problem situation. And of course, to outline ways to overcome it, ”says Martinez.
Cards in hand
Mapping is practically an art. The therapist using this technique does not offer simple solutions to the client, but encourages him to fantasize by providing a safe, accepting space.
“The psychologist acts as a facilitator (a person responsible for communication, for creating a comfortable working environment. — Approx. ed.). The specialist helps the client to independently create cards or even a whole deck if necessary. After creating cards or a deck, the client builds a concept of current life values - that is, literally makes his own layout from the cards. By doing this, he, metaphorically speaking, takes responsibility for what is happening «here and now» at the level of life values and guidelines. With his own hands he directs himself, his life in the right direction.
“The peculiarity of the technique is that our cards are man-made: the client creates them himself, using his own meanings and metaphors. The theme of this deck is «My Life Values». When working on their own card or deck, the client chooses which values to depict and include in their concept. He does not use other people’s ideas, does not focus on the ideas of beauty that belong to others, ”the expert says.
So the client begins to understand that he is the author of his own life. Martinez emphasizes that it is especially important that this is not an external stimulus, as is the case with the finished deck.
“The idea is born in our soul. This is how we gain access to our true nature, deep processes. In the course of such work, the client himself can discover both problem areas and resources to overcome the problem. And after creating the cards and working with them as part of an art therapy session, he has the opportunity to continue working on his own, without the participation of a specialist. For example, a client can create new cards if necessary in order to adjust their current values at this stage of life,” the expert explains.
Find yourself to overcome addiction
The “indications” for the use of metaphorical cards are very wide, but the effectiveness of working with them “largely depends on the ability of a specialist to professionally accompany a client in this format of work,” Martinez says.
And how can they help when it comes to working with dependencies?
“The cards help the client to see their strengths and find the resources in themselves not only to overcome addiction, but also to face various problems and life difficulties in an honest way. After all, that’s the hardest thing for them to do. Often they are “not familiar” with themselves, do not have self-support skills, and therefore they do not have self-reliance. But the ability to support yourself independently, to cope with the challenges of the world around you is fundamentally important in order to live fully, ”says the expert.
Thus, art techniques become effective tools for rehabilitation and adaptation in the society of clients with addiction.
“While working with cards, they have the opportunity to rethink their life experience in a creative way. Reconsider values, realize your priorities in life. Clients change attitudes, needs, motives — as a result, behavior also changes. For such changes, the position of a specialist is very important — not directive, but supportive. After all, the client can meet with complex feelings and new, unfamiliar facets of his “I”, emphasizes Martinez.
“This technique, like art therapy in general, helps you get in touch with your creativity. Creativity is a basic, universal human value, a real source of vitality. Handmade cards help clients see their potential, open up, express themselves in the process of creating something new. And that means allowing yourself to become the creator of your life in the future, ”Martinez is sure.
The range of use of metaphorical cards is not limited to the problem of dependence. It is quite possible to test their capabilities by working with them yourself. Our new service «Metaphorical map of the day» will help you find the answer to pressing questions, determine your true desires and touch your subconscious. We wish you wonderful discoveries!
About the expert: Elena Asensio Martinez is a person-centered expressive therapist, a specialist in the field of art therapy. Author of the idea and concept of «Art-albums for family counseling».