Abraham Lincoln, Psychotherapist to the Nation: The Use of Metaphors

The author presents accepted definitions of the term metaphor and reviews types of metaphors in common usage. He then attempts to elucidate the purposes behind utilizing psychotherapeutic metaphors and their inherent value in a therapeutic context. Following a historical survey of Abraham Lincoln’s life and some examples of his writings and speeches, which depict him as a master of metaphor, the reader gains an appreciation of Lincoln’s ability to translate complex subjects into understandable terms for the citizens of his time—a process not unlike that of psychotherapy.