Methodological and theoretical foundations of therapy with metaphorical associative cards

Metaphorical associative cards have become a popular tool in art therapy for children and adults, which is the reason and the need for their careful study. The subject of the analysis is the methodological and theoretical foundations of the use of metaphorical associative maps. The purpose of the article is to identify methodological and theoretical grounds for the use of metaphorical associative maps. The research methods used are the analysis of scientific publications and methods of categorical-system methodology (universal scheme of interaction and the method of categorical pendulum). The article substantiates the place of metaphorical associative maps in psychotherapy, searches for theoretical grounds for the implementation of psychotherapeutic procedures related to metaphorical associative maps. Based on the idea expressed by N. V. Dmitrieva, Yu. M. Perevozkina, L. V. Levina and N. V. Buravtsova, an evidence-based analysis of the characteristic features of attributing metaphorical associative maps to the section of expressive psychotherapy, a subclass of creative therapy and a class of art therapy is carried out. The methodological components of its qualitative states (object, subject and goal) in system, process and activity variations are revealed in the theoretical justification of MAC therapy based on the reliance on system and activity approaches. The study of MAC therapy as a dynamic system allowed us to conclude that the result of interaction depends on the creative potential of the client, which indicates possible limitations in the use of metaphorical associative maps. The construction of a system model of MAC therapy allowed us to identify the basic conceptual apparatus of this field of psychotherapy. The obtained results of the theoretical study will be useful in the practice of providing assistance during psychotherapeutic procedures using metaphorical associative maps.

metaphorical associative maps, MAC therapy, deck, universal interaction scheme, the categorical pendulum method, psychotherapy, expressive psychotherapy, creative therapy, art therapy, creative potential