The shaman's use of animal language, or pre-literate languages, and other ritualistic methods of communication, like music and drumming, have parallels in the 'different space' created by the therapist in his or her office. In therapy, different forms of communication, the formulaic 'text' of conventional analysis, the release of drumming, or rhythmic pounding, and music play therapy for small children may be used to help the patient touch base with his or her emotions. But while the shaman channels the stories of others, as a tribal storyteller who uses different forms of communication for a collective, therapists help patients tell stories about their daily live struggles on an individual basis.

For example, sometimes patient's life stories are ineffectual, like 'I am a failure' or 'my mother never loved me.' (Hart, p.203) Although the therapist provides a kind of objective voice, and directs the person's speech, even the environment of the...
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