Pain has no objective test — so people depend on language to share what they're experiencing. In this episode, Tim Beames and Bart van Buchem unpack how clinicians can become better listeners, why patient metaphors matter far more than we might think, and how the language therapists use can either bridge or widen the gap between clinician and patient.

They cover the skill of balancing open and directed questioning, how to work with chaotic or contradictory stories, and the difference between descriptive metaphors (sharp, electric), body perception metaphors (my head feels huge), and conceptual metaphors (fighting, war). Bart and Tim also explore the risks of layering on clinician-preferred metaphors and why your go-to explanations probably reflect your treatment bias.

A practical, reflective conversation for therapists who want to sharpen their communication skills.

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