Here are some useful links to better understand the use of metaphors in coaching :
This paper explores the use of metaphor as a means of (a) assessing a client's situation, and (b) assisting the coach in designing practices for the client.
In our experience, metaphors have been a wonderful addition to our coaching repertoire. They both expand and deepen our insight and offer us other useful capabilities:
* Symbolic yet precise expressions of essence related to a client's situation.
* A way of using imagination, intuition, and feeling to capture the essence of client dilemmas and potential.
* A way of making sense of random bits of intuitive and feeling data.
* A way of circumventing the logical mind and discovering meaning in symbol and image.
This paper shares a rationale for using metaphors in coaching. It outlines the process used to create and develop metaphors that lead to insights about clients.