These allow us to locate and appreciate our 'realities' with greater clarity and so establish key landmarks or building-blocks of confidence. Such tools abound and are used in normal 'verbal' communication. Simple pen and note pad diagrams can also be powerful in examining, illustrating and communicating concepts and relationships and flow-charting can help clients identify their process and progress. This is also shown in a reduced form in which only main themes are highlighted. 2 Is a Mind Map modelling the essentials of my clients' process and therapeutic strategies.
Colour coding highlights the therapist and client roles and interface.
I find this a salutary reminder of just how little I have to do in the process, how important it is that I respect my client's space, how essentially simple the process and how much the client can do. This is an empowering message for clients when they grasp it. Tony Buzan's Mind Mapping is a simple, powerful, 'user-friendly' tool with wide application to therapy. Ideas represented by single key-words radiate from a central origin. Key-words may be replaced or supplemented by symbols or images, and coding and emphasis aid clarity.