In response to a comment on this website, I’ll address this question in the context of overcoming low self -esteem.
I believe it is a very successful technique for a variety of coaching issues (my role) and psychotherapy issues (not my role).
Clean Language uses a small set of simple questions to focus the conversation on to the client’s perception of the world, how they see things working and perhaps personal symbols and metaphors. It is better than other techniques about going deeper into their issues without the questioners assumptions and perspective (cleaner). Please click here to see other posts about what Clean Language is.
Clean Language was developed mainly by the late David Grove who used it to treat people with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is used by trained consultants in business, health-care, psychotherapy and coaching.
After one or just a few sessions, I’ve been told that it has started changes that years of psychotherapy didn’t address. One woman who wanted to trust people more, told me secret details that she hadn’t told her therapist.
One guy had poor confidence with women and felt he wasn’t important to them. By the end of two sessions, he felt like a ray of sunshine in their lives. Symbolically he transformed from something unnoticeable to something fundamentally warm and worthwhile in their lives.
I don’t use it in a psychotherapy setting but that’s because of the limits of my training, not the technique.
For low self-esteem, it allows the coach to more directly access issues that are real for the client and to address what’s happening there and what could be improved.
Research is being conducted to evaluate its value with more scientific rigour.
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Tags:Clean Language,Metaphor
