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Metaphors are a respectful and non-stigmatising means to support changes people are seeking to make in life.
Drawn from extensive literatures on identity and narrative practice, metaphors support people to describe and ‘position themselves’ amongst their experiences, what is important to them, and transitions they are seeking to make.
They support agency and building on the person’s experiences of relevant supports.
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A One-day workshop
This workshop will introduce participants to concepts that support the use of metaphor. It draws on expereinces of presentters in providing workshops based on the use of metaphors provided at conferences and workplaces across Australia
Examples of Crossing the River, Journey, Tree of Life and Teams of Life metaphors will be discussed.
The emphasis will be on responding to approaches generated in the course of counselling and support.
The session will include the opportunity for each participant to practice the use of a metaphor of interest.The session will be of relevant to all counselling and casework contexts.
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Next Workshop: ​
Tuesday 25 November 2025.
Elwood + St Kilda Neighbourhood Learning Centre, 87 Tennyson St Elwood, VIC, Australia. In-person only.
Trainers: Dr Marnie Sather, Dr Greg Smith, Tye Hammersley
Cost $350
​Enquiries and bookings: gregorysmith.narrativepractice@gmail.com
Feedback from men we have supported using The River metaphor:
This has helped me understand what I am going through …
I’ve visualized the journey …
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It has helped me separate me from the situation – de-personalising it ..
It helps to get a clearer picture..
It is not just me- it is others as well - on a different journey, but the same themes
It’s given me an holistic view of everythingI’ve created my own island ..
I have cut off my old connections, phone numbers … created an island where I can develop myself, for the next stage. I'm in my hut … it is like a cocoon …
Feedback from participants of Crossing the River workshops:
“I absolutely loved the session ... You were both a total breath of fresh air - thank you for your generosity and authenticity. I wish every AOD worker could sit with you both and experience the way of being with people that you model so beautifully.
BIG appreciation and respect to you both!”...“
"I really appreciated how powerful that reflective process was ... I am keen to bring that nature into my work wherever I can - to do more collaborative ‘side by side’ conversations rather than the traditional colonised approach of therapy. Your session was inspiring.
Thank you for sharing your experience, it was personally very helpful to me ... Thank you for your generosity in sharing this with us.”
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" Thank you so much for sharing at VAADA, it’s been an inspiration ... I hope you reach as many people as possible! We need far more of these ways of working rather than technical, narrow-focused clinical ways of working with people. "
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"Thank you for your generosity in sharing this with us, I can’t wait to read the resources you have kindly shared with me. Yes, absolutely happy for you to share my feedback. I can’t stop talking about it! "
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"Wonderful workshop, engaging ... information was accessible and useful ... seeing the dkills dispalyed and use of narrative language and practice in acton ... Thank you!"
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"This was a very useful map to unpack people's relationship with transition"
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" I absolutely loved this workshop"
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