Extended mutual imagery in work with anxious and phobic clients

Imagery and metaphor have a long history as tools for helping and healing. This article traces that history to the present and defines and explains the author's variation of using imagery called Extended Mutual Imagery (EMI). The emphasis on mutuality is, from the social work perspective, an essential ingredient for the effectiveness of EMI. EMI has been found to be effective with anxious and phobic clients who use metaphoric and imaging language. A case example using EMI with a 47 year old anxious female client is provided followed by discussion.