Metaphors are (metaphorically) woven into the fabric of our language and thought, shaping how we grasp and articulate abstract concepts. We should therefore feel free to prudently explore alternative metaphors and judge whether they perform better. A collective effort to notice and change the metaphors we use has enormous potential to reduce... See more

The same goes, of course, for human beings. The distancing effect of language facilitates exploitation, cruelty, murder, and genocide. When the other party to a relationship is a mere member of a generic category, be it “customer,” “terrorist,” or “employee,” exploitation or murder comes much more easily. Racial epithets serve the same purpose: we

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The predominant goal of most psychologists and mental health practitioners is to help the trauma survivor practice the self-help techniques that expand the window and/or return inside the window, which allows the body to self-regulate enough not to get hyper- or hypo-aroused.

In doing so, the clinician helps the patient re-train the mind and body... See more