The Meta4 bank lists all entries in an A to Z format. This is so that specific metaphor's can be accessed rapidly, by simply clicking on the appropriate letter. For example, a metaphor useful in working with smokers, can be found under the letter S. and a metaphor useful in working with pregnancy, under P etc.

Do not send short, one or two line entries! A Hypnotic or therapeutic metaphor...is one that paces the clients current state, using the components of the story / anecdote to paralell a clients experience. Within this metaphor...suggestions can be embedded and a solution offered. An example of such a metaphor is offered below this form, using the 'Oyster' to pace pregnancy, whilst offering suggestions.

Note: The following metaphor has had hypnotic suggestions marked in bold, to give the reader an idea of how the tale was originally delivered. It is not necessary to submit your metaphor with any embedded suggestions marked, as per the example, for many of our members are experienced therapists, and will undoubtedly adapt any metaphor for their own use.

Pregnancy Metaphor.

.'And because you have not had a child before, your expectation of labor pain is what we can work on..next week.... until then however, you might like to... just relax.... as you remember all you know, about beautiful Pearls........ perhaps you've owned some pearl earring's, or a bracelet, or maybe you can remember your aunties necklaces...

Now I remember learning, about how those pearls.... actually get created,..... and I find the whole process very interesting indeed, especially interesting, when you really........ think... ...of what that little... Oyster........ must go through to produce such a fine little gem....

You see, one day.... that.. little oyster,.... doing whatever oysters do, opened its shell to feed.. or drink... and at that very moment, a little tiny piece of sand.... entered deep inside the oysters shell.

Now.... that really must be a...interesting experience,...... to feel something unfamiliar inside your shell,...

And who... really knows how Oysters feel... to have something like that inside them?

Now... the oyster produces a special chemical, which coats that grain of sand, making it smoother,.... and... more comfortable to bear....and also making it bigger.

Now this chemical is produced every day, and so the little grain of sand..., sometimes..... moving about,... sometimes.... still........ Grows steadily,..... a little every day,..... until such a point, that its presence becomes really.... noticeable.

......Of course, when that pearl has reached a certain size,..... that little oyster will.... find it quite easy.... to finally eject the pearl..... from its shell.

And surely the oyster.... looks forward.... to such a time, with tantalizing... expectation's of relief of comfort.. ...don't you think?