Metaphor in Counsellor Training: Using Myth, Narrative and the Hero's Journey to Facilitate Reflection, Insight and Transformation

Abstract

The main topics covered in this chapter are: • the place of myths, stories and narratives in counsellor training • the 'Hero's Journey' myth as a vehicle for counsellor-in-training reflection, insight, empowerment and transformation • the value of myths, stories and narratives in curriculum development. The acknowledged expert of the hero myth is Joseph Campbell. Campbell spoke of the 'monomyth': a universal myth in which the hero embarks on a journey, overcoming obstacles. and limitations on the way, t? emerge 'transformed by the experience with newly acquired knowledge and understanding. To explore the usefulness of this monomyth in counsellor training, the authors undertook research with a cohort of postgraduate counselling students, using a story that parallels the monomyth of the Hero's Journey. The results ofthis research, presented in this chapter, illustrate how the use of the Hero's Journey metaphor can empower students by giving them a framework for reflection, insight and transformation.