Using Football Metaphor to Engage Men in Therapeutic Support

Abstract

This paper is an account of a small scale exploratory study about the use and value of football metaphor as a device for facilitating therapeutic work. It is based on an evaluation which used a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches. In this paper, we selectively draw on the qualitative data to provide examples to inform our discussion. We illustrate various ways in which football metaphor can support therapeutic change: by aiding initial engagement, facilitating mutual support, enabling self-understanding and motivating change. We relate our analysis to the literature about the therapeutic value of metaphor and highlight the salience of using football metaphor in a group-based setting for men who are often seen as ‘hard to engage’ in therapeutic support. With some caveats, we argue that football metaphor offers a potentially rich and flexible therapeutic resource.

Keywords::

• metaphor
• football
• therapy
• men
• masculinities
• language

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the players and coaches involved in the ‘It's a Goal!’ project, as well as the founders of the programme, Malcolm McClean and Pete Sayers. For more information about the programme see http://www.itsagoal.org.uk/. We would also like to thank the anonymous reviewers for helpful feedback on the paper.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Helen Spandler

Dr. Helen Spandler is a Reader in mental health in the School of Social Work and the Psychosocial Research Unit at the University of Central Lancashire. Address: School of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK. [E-mail: [email protected]]

Alastair Roy

Dr. Alastair Roy is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Social Work and the Psychosocial Research Unit at the University of Central Lancashire. Address: School of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK.

Mick Mckeown

Dr. Mick Mckeown is a Principal Lecturer in the School of Health at the University of Central Lancashire. Address: School of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, Lancashire, UK.