SYMPTOMS AS METAPHORS: EASTERN AND WESTERN SYMBOLIC APPROACHES

Course overview

Immune conditions and other illnesses of unknown cause sometimes manifest as symbolic diseases where the symptoms seem to correlate directly with the patients¿ life stories. The discovery of somatic metaphors can be a useful clue to triggering the healing process in these mysterious maladies. This approach leads to honoring symptoms as messengers from the unconscious about an emotional imbalance or block that needs to be healed rather than suppressed with medication. These metaphors can be explored using intuitive imagery exercises and Chinese five-element theory, and the emotions at the root of the symptoms can be addressed with Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT). Literature reviews of symbolic diseases and EFT will be provided along with case reports. A group exercise with metaphorical imagery and EFT will be followed by a question and answer session at the end.