Although metaphors are typically associated with literature, stories are inherently metaphorical, and metaphors can be healing. Simply telling your clients or patients what they need to do often creates resistance, so when you want to change someone’s attitude or behavior, a metaphor is the best way to do that. Especially when the story is relevant, […]

English has two forms of voice: active and passive. In “active voice” sentences, the subject of the sentence performs the action designated by the sentence. In “passive voice,” the subject of the sentence receives the action of the verb:

Active Voice: I threw the ball. Passive Voice: The ball was thrown by me.

The difference […]

The Confirmation Metaprogram, also known as the “Convincer Strategy,” governs the way people decide what is “true.” Most people are not consciously aware of their own, let alone those of others. That often causes trouble in relationships. How do you know when someone loves you? How do others know when you love them?

For some […]

• I see what you mean.

• I hear you.

• I catch your drift.

People, including your friends, relatives, and clients or patients, use sense-based language to communicate. Matching another person’s use of sense-based language is an important part of rapport (see https://scs-matters.com/rapport/). Those who need to see something to be convinced, for example, […]

Metaprograms are behavioral tendencies. (See Healing with Language: Your Key to Effective Mind-Body Communication, p. 51 ff) In general, the most important metaprograms in the relationship between doctor and patient or client will be the following:

Conduct: Is the individual a rule follower or a rule breaker?

Cognitive Style: Is the individual primarily a thinker […]