Introduction

This introduction presents an overview of key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of the book. The book offers some of the beneficial things that the author has learnt over a life time of being a therapist in ways that are pragmatic and applicable. It presents 101 examples of therapeutic, metaphoric stories which reflect various core areas of life concerns that therapists commonly encounter. Stories can, have been, and are used in psychotherapy as metaphors, or indirect suggestions, to help effectively communicate a therapeutic message that will commonly provide the means or pathways to facilitate a client resolving their problems. Therapeutic stories can help bypass resistance, particularly when the therapeutic metaphors are generated by the client, come from the client's own story, or are built collaboratively with the client. Positive psychology, cognitive behavior therapy and mindfulness are among our most researched and evidence-based approaches to psychology and psychotherapy.