FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE IN PSYCHODYNAMIC PSYCHOTHERAPY (PSYCHOTHERAPY).

Much theoretical and clinical literature and some previous empirical studies suggest that figurative language may perform special functions in psychodynamic therapy. Novel (i.e., original) figures of speech are thought to be particularly rich in the properties which distinguish figurative from nonfigurative language. This study explores the proposition that novel figures are specially disposed to uses which both advance therapeutic process (e.g., by facilitating a patient's and/or therapist's effort to