Psychotherapeutic Technique: Empty Chair

I’d like to introduce a very unique and influential therapeutic practice in gestalt therapy. Empty Chair technique is effective “when a client is stuck, either in an internal or external conflict or not knowing which of two options to choose” (Rock & Page, 2009, p. 294). A part of the process in this technique is below; the situation is that it seems difficult for a client to complain about his or her subordinate because the client is too kind to people to reproach for the subordinate’s neglect of duty.

Coach: Let’s say that your subordinate is sitting here in this empty chair. What would you say to him?

Client: Why don’t you perform your duty? Are you really a professional consultant? What’s your motivation to work? If you don’t have passion, quit right now!

Coach: Now, please stand up and move over to the empty chair and when you sit in it, please become him having heard all that you said right now. What’s your response as him?

The dialogue goes on, and the empty chair technique is performed in that way. In my view, this technique is helpful for clients to take the other person’s perspective and to change behavior and thinking patterns. To explain a therapeutic effect in more detail, clients can re-organize his or her perceptions and experiences and create a new gestalt through this exercise.

Reference

Coaching with the Brain in Mind: Foundations for Practice