Fusion/ Defusion: The Campfire Metaphor

Purpose: This metaphor is used to illustrate the “unworkability” of trying to “fix” (e.g. reduce, remove, suppress or change the form of) difficult “automatic” thoughts and emotions, by “adding” new thoughts when they appear in our “experiential window”. (as when clients try to "solve" these internal experiences with self-debating, or when clients are fused with their thoughts).

This is a heavy tested metaphor, rated as “successful”. Change the words, or explanation procedure, as needed, when using this metaphor on your own.

(Download metaphor as attachment).