In the world of transformational coaching and therapeutic change work, few models are as evocative, precise, and revelatory as Metaphors of Movement (MoM). Developed by Andrew T. Austin, MoM is not just a technique—it’s a philosophy of how we experience life through metaphor. This blog explores the foundations, applications, and esoteric depth of MoM, and introduces my own journey as a certified trainer in India.
What Is Metaphors of Movement?
Metaphors of Movement is a therapeutic and coaching methodology that works by eliciting and decoding the metaphorical language people use to describe their problems. These metaphors—often unconscious—reveal how individuals perceive their reality, limitations, and possibilities.
Rather than analyzing content, MoM focuses on structure. For example, when a client says, “I feel stuck,” MoM asks:
- Where are you stuck?
- What are you stuck in?
- What would happen if you got unstuck?
These questions uncover the metaphorical landscape of the client’s experience, allowing for profound insight and change.
“MoM is not about fixing problems. It’s about understanding the structure of the problem so clearly that the client sees their own way out.” — Andrew T. Austin
How Does It Help?
MoM helps clients:
- Gain clarity about their internal landscape
- Break free from stuck states and emotional inertia
- Understand unconscious patterns of behavior and belief
- Reclaim agency by exploring movement, direction, and choice within their metaphor
Unlike traditional therapy, MoM doesn’t require emotional catharsis or storytelling. It works at the level of symbolic cognition, making it ideal for coaching, leadership, trauma work, and personal development.
“MoM is like laying down the puzzle pieces of a client’s problem. Instead of seeing just the edges, they begin to see the whole picture.”
Origins of Metaphors of Movement
MoM was developed by Andrew T. Austin, a former neurology nurse and creator of Integral Eye Movement Therapy (IEMT). Inspired by:
- Clean Language (David Grove)
- Metaphors of Identity (Charles Faulkner)
- Ericksonian Hypnotherapy
- Embodied Cognition and Semiotics
Austin began exploring how metaphor shapes experience—not just linguistically, but neurologically and behaviorally. His work led to the creation of MoM as a forensic linguistic tool for decoding the unconscious architecture of problems.
How MoM Differs from Other Therapies
MoM is not a therapy in the traditional sense. It doesn’t aim to fix, heal, or reframe. Instead, it reveals.
Key Differences:
- No content analysis: MoM focuses on metaphor structure, not story.
- No emotional processing: Clients don’t need to relive trauma.
- No advice or interpretation: Practitioners ask precise questions that let the metaphor speak for itself.
- No goal-setting: MoM explores the present metaphorical state, not future outcomes.
Compared to NLP, CBT, or EMDR, MoM is non-directive, symbolic, and deeply experiential.
Taxonomies in Metaphors of Movement
MoM uses a rich set of metaphorical categories or taxonomies to decode experience. These include:
- Containers – Feeling trapped, boxed in, or enclosed
- Elevation – Status, hierarchy, and self-worth
- Tunnels and Pathways – Direction, progress, and escape
- Attachments – Emotional ties and dependencies
- Supports and Structures – Stability, resilience, and collapse
- Stages and Platforms – Visibility, performance, and readiness
- Atmospheres and Environments – Emotional climate and influence
- Water and Fire Metaphors – Flow, transformation, and volatility
Each taxonomy offers a lens to explore how clients unconsciously structure their reality.
MoM and Mystical Qabalah: Symbolic Parallels
One of the most intriguing aspects of MoM is its symbolic resonance with mystical Qabalah. Both systems explore:
- Symbolic architecture of the psyche
- Movement through stages of awareness
- Duality of light and shadow (e.g., Sephiroth vs Qlippoth)
- Personal evolution through metaphor and myth
In Qabalah, the Tree of Life represents the journey of the soul. In MoM, the metaphorical landscape reveals the journey of the self. Both use archetypes, directionality, and symbolic language to facilitate transformation.
“MoM is not just psychological—it’s mythological. It taps into the same symbolic currents as Qabalah, Tarot, and alchemy.” — Andrew Austin
Who Is Partha Roy in Relation to MoM?
I am Partha Roy, a certified Metaphors of Movement Trainer based in Kolkata, India. My journey with MoM began through my work in NLP, IEMT, and Mental Space Psychology. I found in MoM a model that was:
- Deeply respectful of the client’s experience
- Rich in symbolic and cultural nuance
- Perfectly suited for coaching, therapy, and education in India
I now lead MoM Practitioner Trainings, workshops, and consulting sessions across India. My work integrates MoM with:
- Social Panorama
- Mental Space Mapping
- Adolescent and parental coaching
Trauma and emotional intelligence work.
