Starting from the author’s previous research on metaphor in the counselling practice and as a self-help tool, this paper further explores the challenge of using metaphor as a transformational self-help tool in written self-disclosure as a form of self-persuasion when dealing with a specific issue related to emotional imbalances. Self-disclosure as a textual genre will be introduced, previous research will be presented concisely, the question of scientific reliability will be addressed, and then the case study develops, starting with metaphorical work as divided between conceptual and linguistic, moving on with discursive practices to foster in order to change your own mood and attitude towards yourself and the world, and concluding with considerations emerged from the process of writing itself. More specifically, these will be the steps to be addressed: 1) metaphor level – analysis, 2) metaphor level – transformation: new metaphor crafting, at conceptual and word level – performativity: linguistic metaphors production. Metaphor work in combination with concepts and words can be magic, and change your mind toward a different vision. The work can be implemented at 3) discoursal level: fostering alternative discourse strategies that can change your mood and attitude toward the world, so as to inform action. Finally, this work suggests going 4) back to the roots: trauma identification and overcoming. This further stage addresses the challenge of deconstructing (destructive) subconscious injunctions and constructing conscious proposals. Eventually, 5) a self-check in self-perception, general well-being, and changed behaviour is suggested as a feedback stage. Self-disclosure will follow, the evidence emerged from the process of writing will unfold, and the paper will close with suggestions for follow-up on further research. This closure aims to open up the horizon of the promising relationship between metaphor and healing from a persuasion perspective.
Ferrari, F. (2025). “Self-disclosing via metaphor. Alias: metaphor crafting as a self-help tool”.. Roma : TAB.
“Self-disclosing via metaphor. Alias: metaphor crafting as a self-help tool”.
Federica, Ferrari
2025
Abstract
Starting from the author’s previous research on metaphor in the counselling practice and as a self-help tool, this paper further explores the challenge of using metaphor as a transformational self-help tool in written self-disclosure as a form of self-persuasion when dealing with a specific issue related to emotional imbalances. Self-disclosure as a textual genre will be introduced, previous research will be presented concisely, the question of scientific reliability will be addressed, and then the case study develops, starting with metaphorical work as divided between conceptual and linguistic, moving on with discursive practices to foster in order to change your own mood and attitude towards yourself and the world, and concluding with considerations emerged from the process of writing itself. More specifically, these will be the steps to be addressed: 1) metaphor level – analysis, 2) metaphor level – transformation: new metaphor crafting, at conceptual and word level – performativity: linguistic metaphors production. Metaphor work in combination with concepts and words can be magic, and change your mind toward a different vision. The work can be implemented at 3) discoursal level: fostering alternative discourse strategies that can change your mood and attitude toward the world, so as to inform action. Finally, this work suggests going 4) back to the roots: trauma identification and overcoming. This further stage addresses the challenge of deconstructing (destructive) subconscious injunctions and constructing conscious proposals. Eventually, 5) a self-check in self-perception, general well-being, and changed behaviour is suggested as a feedback stage. Self-disclosure will follow, the evidence emerged from the process of writing will unfold, and the paper will close with suggestions for follow-up on further research. This closure aims to open up the horizon of the promising relationship between metaphor and healing from a persuasion perspective.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
