101 Stories for Enhancing Happiness and Well-Being: Using Metaphors in Positive Psychology and Therapy

283 Pages·2017·1.81 MB·English

by  George W. Burns

“George Burns shares wonderful stories that reveal his kindness and warmth
while also providing engaging glimpses of true wisdom. Particularly impres-
sive is how Burns promotes core values of decency and optimism while pro-
moting insight and growth. Every reader will be a better therapist—and a
better person—by absorbing the profound messages in this superb book.”
—Michael D. Yapko, PhD, clinical psychologist and author
of The Discriminating Therapist and Essentials of Hypnosis
“In an engaging and lively style, George Burns takes the reader through a
fascinating journey across different facets of the psychotherapeutic commu-
nication. This book shows readers how to collaborate with clients to build
therapeutic strategies through use of metaphors and stories. Theoretically
grounded in positive psychology, the approach focuses on the promotion of
hope, mindfulness, personal strengths, and acceptance.”
—Antonella Delle Fave, MD, professor of psychology
at the University of Milan, Italy
“Deploying the knowledge that stories can heal and enhance our lives, master
storyteller and psychotherapist George Burns offers readers a wealth of inspir-
ing stories covering specific facets of ourselves including empowerment, work
and relationships. I warmly recommend this delightfully accessible book to
anyone wishing to lead a happier and more fulfilled life.”
—Felicia Huppert, PhD, emeritus professor of psychology
at the University of Cambridge, United Kingdom

101 Stories for Enhancing
Happiness and Well-Being
Research shows us clearly what works in counseling and psychotherapy. Often
by the time clients enter a therapist’s office they have been told what to do—
often soundly and sensibly—by well-meaning family, friends, and health pro-
fessionals. The challenge for the effective therapist is how to communicate
these same, sound messages in ways that the client is more likely to take on
board, act on, and benefit from.
101 Stories for Enhancing Happiness and Well-Being harnesses the power
of stories to translate the research from positive psychology into effective and
practical therapeutic interventions. It communicates the core processes for
enhancing happiness and well-being in ways that are easy to understand and
incorporate into one’s therapeutic practice and clients’ lives.
George W. Burns is a clinical psychologist, adjunct professor of psychology
at the Cairnmillar Institute of Psychotherapy and Counseling, and director
of the Milton H. Erickson Institute of Western Australia. He conducts work-
shops worldwide, has authored 8 books, and volunteers as a psychologist in
developing countries such as Bhutan.

101 Stories for Enhancing
Happiness and Well-Being
Using Metaphors in Positive
Psychology and Therapy
George W. Burns
First published 2017
by Routledge
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017
and by Routledge
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon, OX14 4RN
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa
business
© 2017 George W. Burns
The right of George W. Burns to be identified as author of this
work has been asserted by him in accordance with sections 77 and
78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted
or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic,
mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented,
including photocopying and recording, or in any information
storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing from the
publishers.
Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks
or registered trademarks, and are used only for identification and
explanation without intent to infringe.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Burns, George W. (George William), author.
Title: 101 stories for enhancing happiness and well-being : using
metaphors in positive psychology / George W Burns.
Other titles: One hundred one healing stories for enhancing
happiness and well-being | One hundred and one healing stories
for enhancing happiness and well-being
Description: 1 Edition. | New York : Routledge, 2017. | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016025776 | ISBN 9781138935822
(hardback : alk. paper) | ISBN 9781138935839 (pbk. : alk.
paper) | ISBN 9781315672854 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Happiness. | Well-being. | Metaphor—Therapeutic
use. | Narrative therapy. | Positive psychology.
Classification: LCC BF575.H27 B877 2017 | DDC 150.19/88—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016025776
ISBN: 978-1-138-93582-2 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-138-93583-9 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-315-67285-4 (ebk)
Typeset in Galliard
by Apex CoVantage, LLC
This one is dedicated to the two most
special boys in my life,
my grandsons,
Taran James and Oscar Cameron.
My deepest wish is that both of your lives will be
rich in stories of health, happiness, and love.

Contents
Acknowledgments xiv
PART ONE
Orienting to Happiness-Enhancing Stories 1
Introduction 3
What Do I Mean By Metaphor? 4
Why Use Metaphors in Therapy? 5
Why This Book? 6
What Does This Book Offer? 6
What Is the Link between Positive Psychology, CBT,
Mindfulness, and Metaphors? 7
The PRO Approach for Assessing Outcomes 10
Problems Addressed 10
Resources Developed 12
Pleasure and Positive Emotions 13
Engagement, Mindfulness, and Flow 13
Relationships 13
Meaning and Purpose 13
Accomplishment and Achievements 13
Outcomes Offered 14
1 Take an Outcome-Oriented Assumption, Attitude, and
Approach 15
2 Enquire About the Client’s Desired Therapeutic Goal 15
3 Shift the Negative to the Positive 16
4 Question a Global Goal 16
5 Explore Specific Outcomes 16
6 Anticipate a Positive Outcome 17
7 Reinforce Any Steps Toward the Outcome 17
Applying the PRO Assessment for Outcomes 17