I love creating these “situational metaphors” that quickly illustrate particular situations my clients are going through — allowing me to present a different perspective without making  them defensive or making me come off as an “expert.”

For instance, one of my clients was holding onto a relationship she knew wasn’t healthy for her, because it was her first serious relationship; her first “grown-up” love.

I said, “It sounds as if though you discovered this great candy store and immediately were attracted to this brightly-colored lollipop — and didn’t get a chance to  see  the rest of the store, which was full of great, tasty, and much more sophisticated candy.  What comes up for you when I say that? ”

Do you have any coaching metaphors you’d like to share?