Metaphorical associative cards: what they are and how psychologists use them / ITech content

A medical psychologist and Gestalt therapist with experience in psychology and psychotherapy. I am a trainer at the International Gestalt Academy and co-author of the specialized course "Working with the Consequences of War Trauma and PTSD in Gestalt Therapy." My practice focuses on the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and supporting people who have experienced military conflicts. My professional approach and deep understanding of Gestalt therapy allow me to effectively help clients overcome psychological difficulties and restore emotional well-being.

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What are Metaphorical Associative Cards?

Metaphorical associative cards (MAC) are a unique tool consisting of sets of images depicting people, animals, landscapes, and various situations. These cards help to gain a deeper understanding of unconscious processes, allowing a person to identify their inner problems and experiences. With their help, you can find answers to important life questions, understand your dreams and fears, and determine next steps in personal development. MACs are becoming indispensable assistants in psychotherapy and self-development, promoting awareness and transformation of the inner world.

MACs, or metaphorical associative cards, are a unique tool used in psychotherapy. Outwardly, they are similar to playing and fortune-telling cards, but their main function is to stimulate deep associations and projective thinking in the client. Metaphorical associative cards help to reveal inner experiences, identify hidden emotions, and resolve psychological issues, promoting a deeper understanding of oneself and one's life. Using metaphorical cards in psychotherapy helps create a safe space for self-expression and self-discovery.

How did metaphorical associative cards appear?

In 1975, an event occurred that changed the perception of art. Ely Raman, striving to make art accessible to a wider audience, released cards featuring his paintings. However, the artist soon began receiving letters from people noting that these cards not only evoke strong emotions but also stimulated introspection. Thus, Raman's work opened a new way of interacting with art, allowing viewers not only to enjoy aesthetics, but also to delve deeper into their own thoughts and feelings.

This is what the first metaphorical cards looked like Photo: Etsy

In 1982, psychotherapist and publisher Moritz Egetmeyer introduced the use of specialized pictures as a tool for psychologists. These images became an important tool for diagnosis and therapy, allowing specialists to gain a deeper understanding of their clients' inner worlds and identify their emotional states. Using pictures in psychological practice helps reveal hidden feelings and experiences, making the therapeutic process more effective.

Today, metaphorical cards are published in various countries and languages. Psychologists use both the original Raman metaphorical cards and many other decks created by various authors, including Russian designs. Metaphorical cards are becoming an important tool in psychology, allowing for a deeper understanding of personal experiences and emotions. Their diversity opens up new possibilities for working with clients, making them popular among specialists in this field.

Metaphorical associative cards, also known as metaphorical cards, association cards, or oh-cards (after the English interjection "oh," expressing surprise), are a tool that aids in the visualization of thoughts and emotions. These cards are used in psychology, coaching, and art therapy to deeply analyze personal experiences and stimulate creative thinking. Thanks to their unique format, metaphorical associative cards help to reveal a person’s inner world, allowing them to find answers to important questions and become aware of hidden aspects of their lives.

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Art therapy is a method of psychological assistance that uses creative processes to improve the emotional state and mental health. This approach is based on the idea that self-expression through art can help people cope with inner experiences, stress, and anxiety.

Art therapy exercises can include drawing, sculpting, collage making, and other artistic endeavors. These activities promote self-awareness, improve communication skills, and reduce stress. Art therapy is suitable for people of all ages and can be beneficial in both individual and group sessions.

The psychology of art therapy is based on the idea that creativity is a powerful tool for exploring and understanding one's own emotions. By working with materials and forms, a person can better understand their feelings and experiences, which promotes healing and personal growth. Art therapy helps not only in solving psychological problems, but also in developing creativity and self-confidence.

How are metaphorical cards different from fortune-telling cards?

MAC and fortune-telling cards have a similar appearance—both are small cards collected in a deck and comfortable to hold in one hand. However, their purposes differ significantly, and in some respects, they are even opposites. MAC, or metaphorical associative cards, are designed for deep self-knowledge and working with inner experiences. They help reveal hidden thoughts and feelings, promoting personal growth. In contrast, fortune-telling cards are used to predict the future and receive advice based on intuitive perception and symbolism. Thus, although both categories of cards may be visually similar, their functions and methods of use are radically different.

The fortune teller does a lot of the talking and interprets the meanings of the cards herself. A psychologist listens more and only asks questions if necessary to support a person, to guide him so that he can see the associations on the card himself.
A fortune teller looks at the cards and gives advice and directions - what to do, where to go. A psychologist does not advise anything, does not insist on anything.
A fortune teller uses cards to escalate the situation, intimidate and confuse a person. A psychologist, on the contrary, helps make a choice, understand oneself, put feelings and thoughts in order.

How Metaphorical Cards Work

Working with the MAC method (the method of associative cards) is based on the projective method of psychodiagnostics, which allows a person to express their inner experiences through the outside world. Unlike other projective methods, where participants must independently create images, which can cause them resistance, working with MAC usually proceeds more freely and naturally. This makes the technique more accessible and comfortable to use, allowing for a deeper understanding of a person's emotional state and personality traits.

When a person looks at an image, certain associations arise. By discussing these associations with a therapist, they can uncover hidden aspects of their subconscious. Each individual perceives visual images differently, and this perception often reflects their current emotional state and needs. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of oneself and one's feelings, which is an important step in the process of self-knowledge and personal growth.

The MAC (Associative Map Method) is used as an auxiliary tool in various psychological schools, such as Gestalt psychology, humanistic psychology, and cognitive behavioral therapy. Furthermore, there is a separate profession—MAC Master or MAC Therapist—who also have a psychological education and specialize in applying this method in their practice. MAC helps deepen understanding of the client's internal processes, reveal hidden emotions, and stimulate personal growth.

Types of Metaphorical Associative Cards

There are different types of cards, and in this text we will examine their features. Each type of card has its own unique characteristics and purposes, making them useful in different situations. Understanding these differences will help you choose the right type of card for your needs.

Images can depict a variety of themes, including nature, people, various situations, and culinary dishes. Universal cards are effectively used to process various requests and can be adapted to any needs.

Photo: Etsy

Personalized cards are visual images depicting people, animals, and various symbols. These cards help people recognize and name their emotional states and personal qualities. The process of working with personalized cards involves identifying a character, their characteristics and properties, which can then be linked to a person's own experiences and reactions. Using such cards is an effective tool for working with emotions and self-development.

Metaphorical cards "Portrait of a Woman" Image: MACards

The name speaks for itself: these cards are designed to gain resources, confidence and motivation. The cards depict landscapes, scenes from life, and abstract compositions, allowing everyone to find inspiration and support in various situations. Such cards can serve as a tool for self-knowledge and personal growth, helping to understand your desires and goals.

Metaphorical cards "Inner support" Image: MACards

Psychologists use special decks of cards to work with various requests, including trauma, crises and Family issues. Each card contains a drawing that corresponds to a specific area of inquiry, helping to better understand and analyze the client's situation. The use of such cards in psychological practice contributes to a more effective identification and resolution of internal conflicts, and also facilitates the process of emotional release.

Metaphorical cards "Umbrellas" Image: MACards

How to choose metaphorical
We recommend checking out decks of cards created by renowned psychologists such as Konstantin Dovlatov and Tatyana Muzhitskaya. Their works are profound and sophisticated, making them valuable tools for understanding psychology and self-awareness. Using such decks can significantly enrich your practice and aid in personal development.
Where you buy a deck doesn't matter. If you know exactly which deck you need, you can purchase it on the marketplace. The print quality and content of the deck will remain the same, regardless of the platform.
Cards come in a variety of formats, which can be used depending on your goals and objectives. Cartographic formats include both paper maps and electronic ones. Electronic maps, such as vector and raster, each have their own characteristics and advantages. Vector maps are graphics based on mathematical equations, which allows them to be scaled without loss of quality. Raster maps are composed of pixels and are often used for detailed images, such as satellite images. Each map format has its uses in navigation, planning, and educational settings. Choosing the right map format can significantly simplify the task of finding information and improve the perception of geographic data.
In traditional paper format, you purchase a ready-made deck.
In online format, you select a map based on your request by clicking on the screen. You can test this format in the "Signs of the Universe" project by psychologist Tatyana Muzhitskaya and Anton Nefedov.
In digital format, you purchase a file that you can print and cut into cards yourself. An example of digital cards is the deck "150 Questions to Ask Yourself" by coach Olga Skrebeyko.

Rework the text, keeping the main theme and focusing on SEO. Make sure the content remains relevant and informative without adding unnecessary details. Avoid using emojis, unnecessary symbols, and structuring the text into bullet points. Keep it clean and simple.

How to Work with Maps

There are many ways to work with maps. You can use them for navigation, route planning, or exploring areas. Mapping apps and online services offer convenient tools for searching for information about an area, finding points of interest, and getting up-to-date traffic data. Additionally, maps can be useful for analyzing geographic information and making decisions in business and science. The use of maps in various fields, such as tourism, logistics, and urban planning, opens up new opportunities for efficient resource management and process optimization.

"blindly," when you randomly draw a card from a deck;
"face up," when you take the card that resonates most with you.

Before drawing a card, it's important to clearly formulate your request. This will allow you to focus on the purpose of your request and receive a more accurate answer. Correctly understanding the request will help you better interpret the information obtained with the help of the cards.

Photo: Catchstudio / Shutterstock

In their practice, a psychologist often uses not one, but several decks of cards. This allows them to adapt their approach depending on the client's request and the dynamics of the consultation. Using a variety of decks helps us understand problems more deeply and find individual solutions for each case.

When a client comes to me with a crisis and doesn't know which direction to take next, I begin by using personalized cards depicting male and female figures. For example, if a woman chooses a card depicting the Snow Queen and says she feels a connection with it, this may indicate frozen emotions and fear of others. This approach allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the client's inner experiences and identify key issues that require attention.

Gradually, it becomes clear that this problem has its roots in childhood. The client has always felt lonely, wanting to be friends with other children, but was faced with their avoidance. Based on my experience, I understand that using specialized cards is useful for working with childhood traumas. After this, you may need to use another deck to help you cope with difficult life situations.

Tatyana Scheglova is an experienced Gestalt therapist specializing in individual and group psychotherapy. She helps clients understand their emotions, improve their quality of life, and build better relationships with others. Gestalt therapy provides effective tools for self-knowledge and personal growth, which allows Tatyana to successfully support her clients on their path to inner harmony and integrity. By contacting Tatyana Scheglova, you will receive professional help in solving psychological problems and improving your psycho-emotional state.

Can I use MAC on my own?

Universal and resource cards are useful tools for self-development. They can be used to effectively train emotional intelligence and develop skills in recognizing both your own and others' emotions. These cards help you find inner motivation and promote personal growth.

Special and personalized cards should be used with caution, as they can lead to problems that are difficult to solve without outside help.

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Gestalt therapy - what is it, explained in simple terms
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