ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the ways of perceiving, evoking, and generating the different kinds of information that will be needed for creating the metaphor. Learning how to generate therapeutic metaphors involves a multifaceted process for the therapist that can be learned one step at a time. In addition, they help form the "background structure" of the metaphor, using scenes, activities, and occurrences already familiar to the child. Learning to recognize and utilize the child's minimal behavioral responses gives the therapist a better chance of creating a story that rings true to the child. Theoretically, the exact same storyline could be revised linguistically for every child to maximize the therapeutic possibilities. The child who manifests an asthma-type breathing pattern, for example, can be taught a more comfortable way to breathe once the therapist has herself recognized and utilized the breathing behavior by matching it.
