Archetypes

Metaphorical Cards: A Psychotherapist’s Guide to Self-Discovery, Relationships, and the Power of Visual Thinking

🔹 Warning: This is a long post. Why? Because metaphorical cards are fascinating, the brain is a weird and wonderful place, and I have a lot to say about both. So, grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s talk about why staring at an image can sometimes tell you more about yourself than hours of self-analysis.

Why Metaphorical Cards?

I was introduced to metaphorical cards by a colleague who knew my obsession with Jungian psychology and symbolic thinking. They were right—I was hooked instantly.

There’s something about letting an image speak before logic kicks in that just works. Whether I’m using them with clients or for my own journaling, these cards are like tiny doorways into the subconscious, offering insights that words alone can’t always reach.

As someone with a neurodivergent brain, I find structured, linear reflection a bit… stifling. But hand me a card with an image that sparks a thousand associations? That’s where the magic happens.

Which is exactly why I made my own decks—one ornate and detailed (for getting delightfully lost in an image) and one minimal and pastel (for when I want my imagination to take the lead).

What Are Metaphorical Cards?

Metaphorical cards are visual prompts that help uncover hidden thoughts, emotions, and narratives. Unlike tarot, they don’t come with set meanings—you bring your own subconscious interpretations to the table.

They can function in three ways:
🌀 Projective – Your mind makes meaning from the image, revealing hidden thoughts.
📖 Thematic – Some decks have recurring symbols, useful for storytelling.
💡 Conceptual – Some depict emotions, experiences, or archetypes directly.

They’re brilliant for therapy, journaling, coaching, or just understanding yourself better without having to overanalyze every detail (your overthinking brain will have to sit this one out).

Why I Created My Own Decks

After years of using metaphorical cards, I realized I wanted two different experiences:

🎨 Ornate & Detailed → Perfect for letting my mind wander through rich, symbolic imagery.
🎭 Minimal & Pastel → Great for when I want a simple visual spark to kickstart my imagination.

I also love using digital versions of my cards—cutting and pasting them into my journal so I can keep the imagery alongside my reflections. Because let’s be real, flipping back and forth between a deck and a notebook is just too much admin for my brain.

How I Use Metaphorical Cards in Psychotherapy

1. Breaking Through Mental Blocks

When clients struggle to put emotions into words, these cards help. Instead of asking, “How do you feel?” (cue blank stare), I hand them a card and say, “What do you see?”—and suddenly, there’s a story.

2. Emotional Processing & Self-Understanding

Images activate the right hemisphere of the brain—the part that governs intuition and emotion. This helps clients feel their emotions rather than just analyze them (looking at you, chronic overthinkers).

3. Relationship Work

Metaphorical cards are relationship mirrors—helping people see their dynamics in new ways.

One of my favorite couples exercises:
💑 Each person picks a card representing their relationship.
🔄 They swap and discuss what they see in the other’s card.
👀 The differences in interpretation? Always revealing.

Personally, I love using them around Valentine’s Day—a natural time to reflect on Where have we been? Where are we going? What do I want?

The Neuroscience Behind Metaphorical Cards 🧠

1. Images Are Processed 60,000x Faster Than Words

Your brain is wired to understand visuals instantly, making metaphorical cards a shortcut to emotional clarity.

2. They Activate the Default Mode Network (DMN)

The DMN is responsible for self-reflection and imagination—the same part of your brain that kicks in during daydreaming. Looking at these images? It’s like hacking your own insight process.

3. They Bypass the Logical Brain

Verbal processing happens in the left hemisphere, but metaphorical cards work with the right hemisphere, where creativity and emotion live. This is especially helpful for neurodivergent minds that thrive on visual, associative thinking.

How to Use Metaphorical Cards for Self-Discovery

1. Journaling with the Cards

📝 Pull a card and write: What story does this image tell? What emotion does it bring up?
🔄 Look back at your entries over time—patterns emerge when you least expect them.

2. Self-Reflection & Decision-Making

💡 Ask a question before pulling a card: What do I need to focus on?
🌀 Let your first instinctive reaction guide your insight.

3. Exploring Relationship Patterns

💞 Solo Reflection: What do I keep repeating in relationships?
🗣️ For Couples: Each person picks a card that represents the relationship—then discuss.

Why Metaphorical Cards Are Perfect for Neurodivergent Thinkers

🔹 No rigid structure → Encourages fluid, intuitive thinking.
🔹 Engaging for visual minds → Perfect for ADHD & creative brains.
🔹 Helps with emotional expression → Ideal for those who struggle to verbalize feelings.

Metaphorical cards give you a way to process emotions without needing to “explain” them. And sometimes, that’s exactly what’s needed.

Final Thoughts: Why You Should Try Metaphorical Cards

The best thing about metaphorical cards? They don’t give you answers—they help you uncover your own.

Whether you use them for therapy, journaling, or just seeing your relationships in a new light, they offer a powerful way to access the subconscious.

And for those of us with neurodivergent brains that think in images, metaphors, and connections? They’re a game-changer.

Because, at the end of the day, our brains don’t always work in straight lines. Sometimes, the best insights come from following an image down a rabbit hole. 🌀

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