Techniques for working with metaphorical associative cards, grouped by consultation stages and request themes. Each technique includes a description of goals, recommended decks, and step-by-step instructions.
One of the deepest introductory techniques. It simultaneously relieves tension, introduces the client to three card-work methods, and gives the therapist a first impression of the client's personality.
Introduction through the Johari Window model — exploring four areas of personality: the open self, the blind spot, the hidden self, and the unknown potential.
A quick introduction through two polar cards: 'definitely me' and 'definitely not me.' Prompts the client to become aware of their Ideal Ego.
The simplest introduction: the client shows through two cards what they like and dislike about themselves.
A universal technique used repeatedly — before, during, and after intervention. Allows tracking the client's internal state through metaphor.
This technique is needed when the client is experiencing a state that interferes with engagement in the work. Especially relevant for trauma and acute distress.
Corrects an exaggerated perception of one's own situation. Through comparison with those who are objectively worse off, a realistic assessment is restored.
This technique changes the scale of problem perception through the viewpoints of different beings and epochs. It dissolves the feeling that the situation is insurmountable.
Helps determine whether the client truly suffers from the stated problem. Perhaps the real pain lies elsewhere — or the client was brought to the session without their own initiative.
Verifies whether the stated goal is truly desired. Works through an in-depth exploration of expectations.
An extended goal check by comparing three images: the achiever, the non-achiever, and the one who knows why they are pursuing it.
A key diagnostic technique. The client unfolds a description of the problem through a large card spread, providing material for further correction and provoking insights.
Through a series of 8 card-answers, hidden benefits from the existence of the problem are revealed. Applied when the client seems 'stuck' in the problem and sabotages its resolution.
Clarifying problem causes by determining when the problem originated. Work is conducted along an imaginary timeline of the client's life.
Helps a client who has no clear request — either everything is fine, or everything is bad in general, or they don't know where to start.
Analysing the causes of a negative overall state through a spread of 6 prompt cards.
Working with psychosomatic conditions caused by internal conflict. The situation is processed at four levels: bodily, emotional, cognitive, and physical.
Getting an answer to an important question through one card. A universal method applicable to virtually any request.
An answer through a combination of a word card and a picture card. Activates both verbal and visual thinking simultaneously.
An extended problem-solving framework covering the goal, obstacles, actions, resources, secondary gains, and alternatives. Forces the client to think through all aspects.
A quick technique for cases when the essence of the problem is already clear, time is limited, or a wow effect is needed for an impatient client.
Checking intervention effectiveness by comparing the client's state before and after the work.
Boosting motivation by returning to a resourceful state of past successes. Creates an anchor for further action.
A motivational technique for pessimistic clients. By creating a fairy tale about themselves, the overall mood shifts towards a more optimistic one.
A short technique for understanding an opponent's position on a disputed issue.
A comprehensive technique: from diagnosing the current state of the relationship to building a plan for improvement. Works through dialogue between cards.
By shifting perspectives, empathy is activated towards a person the client feels negatively about. It breaks down a simplified black-and-white perception.
Working with perception of self and opponent from four angles: how I see myself, how I see the other, how I think the other sees me, how the other sees themselves.
Returning responsibility for the relationship to the client, awareness of one's own contribution to its deterioration, and understanding the vicious cycle mechanism.
A compact analysis of complex relationships through 5 card questions.
A spread for 'complicated' long-term relationships when the client says 'I'm confused.' Works through past, present, future, and scenarios of continuing vs. ending.
Helps the client recognise their own contribution to the development of relationships and find a new strategy for building them.
Exploring the content of a conflict and seeking possible resolution through 4 cards: cause, my behaviour, the opponent, solution.
A deep exploration of conflict: not just its causes but also its secondary gains. Especially useful for prolonged, seemingly causeless, recurring arguments.
Analysing the current state of the relationship, the contributions of both partners, and finding a path to harmony through 4 cards.
Diagnosing the 'give-take' balance. Imbalance leads to exhaustion of one side and relationship breakdown. Helps recognise the imbalance.
Helps understand what in one's behaviour and attitude towards the opposite sex prevents building close relationships.
Forming an image of desired relationships and diagnosing factors that prevent building them.
A universal authenticity check for any goal by comparing images of the achiever, the non-achiever, and the one who knows why.
Forming a sequence of actions from the current state to the goal through step cards.
Identifying obstacles on the path to the goal with the option of grouping them — for example, into external and internal.
Changes the perception of obstacles: they stop seeming insurmountable, and motivation to act grows. Requires a pre-existing spread with a goal and obstacles.
Identifying resources that help achieve the goal. Complements the set of goal-oriented techniques.
Comprehensive work on a large-scale goal through Robert Dilts's neurological levels: beliefs, identity, values, knowledge, skills, actions, environment.
Identifying hidden benefits from not achieving the goal, which cause the client to unconsciously sabotage progress towards it.
Identifying benefits from the problem's existence. A simple version for cases when problem resolution is being sabotaged.
A simple technique for finding possible ways events might unfold through 5 prompt cards.
Choosing through analysis of pros and cons of each option. For cases when it is better to choose with the mind rather than feelings.
For cases when the short-term consequences of a choice are pleasant but the long-term ones are not. Works by looking at oneself in one year, 10 years, and in old age for each option.
Decision-making aid through examining four sides: pros of deciding, pros of not deciding, cons of deciding, cons of not deciding. Each question is explored with two cards — face-up selection and face-down selection.
Teaches the client to notice moments when the need for approval pushes them to act against their own interests. Works with the bodily discomfort of not meeting expectations.
A foundational technique for the request 'how do I find myself.' Helps establish the point of 'where I am now,' 'where I want to go,' and 'how to get there.'
Working with two parts of personality according to Jung: the Persona (mask) and the Shadow (hidden parts).
Integrating different sides of oneself into a holistic, multifaceted image instead of a black-and-white one.
Compact work with secondary gain in the context of self-discovery. Helps find the hidden bonus from staying in a problem and alternative ways to satisfy the underlying need.
A spread of 8 cards for shifting focus from insecurity towards developing strengths, unlocking potential, and boosting self-esteem.
A detailed scan of the client's inner world through 8 cards: from the visible side to the spiritual light.
A comprehensive personality analysis through the lens of Ego, Persona, and Shadow. Forms a holistic self-view.
Searching for one's purpose — an activity in which a person realises their values and skills while benefiting the world.
Gaining an understanding of one's personal mission — the main goal one lives for. Provides an inner backbone and guides life-changing decisions.
Explores how behaviour and mindset affect the financial flow. Especially effective for clients with unstable income or financial stagnation.
Exploring money mindset through 4 cards: how I relate to money, how money relates to me, what money likes about me, what it doesn't like.
Exploring the money scenario inherited from childhood and family lineage. A detailed 8-card spread for reconsidering inherited attitudes.
A professional identity portrait: how the client sees themselves as a specialist, what changes they expect, how satisfied they are. Useful when there are doubts about the career path.
A detailed analysis of the professional sphere: success, relationships with colleagues, value alignment, and paths to harmony.
Identifying a career goal and obstacles on the path, building a route to success.
Helps make a considered decision about whether changing jobs is appropriate by comparing feelings in two scenarios.
A coaching spread for facilitating goal achievement: defining steps, anticipating obstacles, finding resources.
A classic SWOT analysis using cards: strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and obstacles. Useful for people seeking self-realisation and those starting a new venture.
Exploring the different roles of a woman: how she presents herself to the world, how she appears in relationships, who she really is inside. Reveals the discrepancy between the Social Self and the True Self.
Exploring one's own sexuality: comparing self-perception with how men perceive the client, identifying qualities to develop or change.
Searching for the key qualities of a partner for comfort and safety in a relationship. Helps form a unique perspective instead of the stereotypical 'prince on a white horse.'
Exploring and realising the feminine essence — the drive towards love, sensuality, care, and creating harmony for those around.
Helps answer the question 'what do I need for happiness' and find the path to it. Useful when a woman knows that what she has is not what she wants, but cannot articulate what she is looking for.
A deep self-exploration: experience, strengths and weaknesses, fears, and inner backbone. The foundation of wisdom is crystallised experience.
On the Soul Mind Cards platform, all techniques from this collection become part of a unified workspace: video calls, a shared deck with the client, a questions library, and automatic notes for every session.
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