METHODS OF APPLYING METAPHORICAL ASSOCIATIVE CARDS IN PSYCHOANALYSIS FOR WORKING THROUGH TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES

Abstract

The study of metaphorical associations in psychotherThe study of metaphorical associations in psychotherapy and psychology is closely linked to the broader concept of metaphor, which has long held a prominent place in philosophy, aesthetics, rhetoric, and linguistic communication. In recent decades, the popularity of metaphorical associations in therapeutic contexts has grown significantly, reflected in the increasing variety of metaphorical associative cards (MACs) used in psychological practice. These tools are actively applied across various therapeutic approaches, including art therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy, and psychoanalysis. The aim of this article is to identify and systematize the main ways of using metaphorical associative cards in psychoanalytic work. MACs typically consist of a set of small rectangular cards that feature images, words, or a combination of both. The visual content varies widely and includes representations of people (realistic, schematic, or caricatured), nature, mythical motifs, and abstract elements. These images serve as projective stimuli, enabling the individual to project internal content onto external metaphors. Three major directions for using projective materials in psychoanalytic practice are outlined: 1) working through unconscious associations and affective reactions to uncover internal conflicts and defense mechanisms (based on the ideas of J. Lacan, S. Freud, and C. Jung); 2) using cards as a projective environment to explore transference dynamics, repression, and defense functions in the patient’s psyche (as proposed by P. Federn); and 3) facilitating access to traumatic experiences, which aids in the symbolization of repressed material and supports the integration of trauma into the psyche (following M. Klein’s theoretical framework). The article describes several core techniques for applying MACs in psychoanalysis: the free-choice technique, sequential storytelling, contrasting associations, projection analysis, and symbolic dialogue. These methods help activate unconscious processes, bring repressed experiences into awareness, and support therapeutic insight. The combination and adaptation of these techniques enable clinicians to tailor interventions to the specific needs of each patient. By engaging patients in metaphorical thinking and symbolic interaction, MACs foster deeper exploration of emotional experiences and unconscious conflicts. Their use reduces psychological resistance, enhances emotional awareness, and strengthens the therapeutic alliance – a key foundation for psychoanalytic transformation. The use of projective techniques is grounded in the assumption that patients project their inner experiences onto metaphorical images, allowing the psychoanalyst to reconstruct the structure of the unconscious, explore internal conflicts, and identify the underlying defense mechanisms. This article contributes to the growing body of literature on the integration of metaphorical tools into psychoanalytic psychotherapy and highlights the need for further empirical research to evaluate the effectiveness of MACs in clinical practice.