Today we are witnessing a boom in the development of metaphorical cards as a universal psychotherapeutic tool. Announcements about the release of the next associative deck are heard everywhere. New highly specialized MAC compete with universal sets at the source. There is an increasing need for structuring and systematizing existing knowledge about metaphorical cards in the space of psychotherapy.

In the entire history of the development of family systemic psychotherapy, the process of interaction between family members has been central to the research of scientists. Today, interpersonal disorders are considered one of the most pressing problems of family functioning. Summarizing the discoveries of various researchers (E. Byrne, V. Satir, G. Bateson, R. Lang), the following types of violations can be distinguished.

1. the inconsistency of verbal and non-verbal communication;
2. the emergence of communication barriers;
3. manipulation of a partner in the communication process;
4. violation and distortion of the transmission of feelings;
5. “rejected” communication;
6. paradoxical communication;
7. "disguised" communication - a hoax;
8. the struggle for the communication channel.

Identification and awareness of violations in communication with each other can become the key to the formation of effective interpersonal communication. The difficulty lies in the fact that in the process of communication spouses often pay attention to the superficial level (what is in sight, the text itself), and the subtext (deep, hidden level) at the time of the conversation is not available to them.

The text manifests itself in words, in actions, and the subtext - has a certain meaning. For example, a wife angrily tells her husband: “I hate your work. You came home late again! ” - this is the text, and the subtext: "Darling, I was very lonely, I really missed you!".

Almost the only chance to overcome communication problems is to start “communicating about communication” (going to the level of meta-communication). For this, systemic family therapists use specially developed techniques (family sculpture), exercises and tools (system board). Metaphorical associative cards are effectively used in systemic family therapy and help to reveal implicit messages and reveal the hidden meaning of transactions.

 with the help of portrait decks and stationery clips you can create family constellations;

An exercise:

- the client selects images (portraits) of people symbolizing members of his family;

- fixes each card with a clip and places them on a sheet;

- draws arrows and borders.

- listens to his feelings, share thoughts, seek answers to pressing questions.

 classic German deck “Oh” and Russian K. Dovlatov's “Emotions” can help in exploring the hidden meaning of communications.

An exercise:

- the client goes through both decks openly, takes out 2 picture cards and 2 cards with words and forms 2 pairs of cards (connects the picture and the word) - the one that reflects his transaction to the partner and partner to him;

- comments and analyzes his choice;

- he takes out 2 more picture cards and 2 cards with words into the closed one and forms new 2 pairs of cards (connects the picture and the word) - one that reflects the hidden meaning of his transaction to the partner and partner to him;

- listens to his feelings, share thoughts, seek answers to pressing questions.

 The deck "Swedeesh table" of cards allows you to revise the communicative repertoire, reveal implicit messages, and form constructive transactions.

The deck consists of creatively processed professional photographs of dishes containing different characteristics (taste, cooking method, purpose, etc.). The food metaphor comprehensively reveals the communication sphere - what quality of information, in what form and volume do we “rest” with a partner, do we take into account his “individual tastes”, do we comply with the “mode / schedule”? Thanks to working with the deck, a person automatically becomes in a meta position and discusses / explores his communication processes.

An exercise:

- the entire deck of cards is laid out face up to the client;

- step by step reproducing a conflict conversation (or conducting it “live” with a partner directly at the consultation), he is asked to indicate each remark (his own and his partner) with a specific card;

- then there is an analysis of the existing communication and the formation of an alternative constructive dialogue (which is also recommended to be accompanied by symbolization with the help of cards).

In this article, we were able to consider the basic possibilities of using metaphorical cards in family counseling. A wide range of decks allows you to effectively work precisely with specific psychotherapeutic topics. A detailed study of the features in working with the communicative sphere led us to the conclusion that the key to effective interpersonal communication in the family is sincerity, activity. accuracy of non-verbal communication, congruence of verbal and non-verbal messages, sensitivity to utterances, invaluable and empathic acceptance of a partner, the formation of a family language.