Chairwork Inner Critic Interview (Empty Chair Technique)

In this video I will explain how to use Transformational Chairwork to conduct an inner critic diagnostic interview. The diagnostic interview can help establish the fears and vulnerabilities which may be driving the inner critic to attack. It's basically a semi-structured interview which takes inspiration from Gestalt psychotherapy, the Voice Dialogue approach, Internal Family Systems Therapy and Schema Therapy.
🔵 CHAPTERS
0:00 Demonstration of the inner critic diagnostic interview
3:06 How to safety end and aid separation
🔵 CHAIRWORK BOOK RECOMMENDATION
☐ Transformational Chairwork by Scott Kellogg. Please click on the link to buy from Amazon: amzn.to/3JrPTRV
🔵 INNER CRITIC DIAGNOSTIC INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
☐ May I speak with you?
☐ Who are you?
☐ Do you have a name?
☐ What do you look like?
☐ When did you first come into (client) life?
☐ What is your reason for being here?
☐ In what kind of situations do you tend to come out?
☐ What do you want?
☐ What do you need?
☐ What are your goals for (client)?
☐ How are you helping (client)?
☐ How are you harming (client)?
☐ What are you most afraid of?
☐ Did someone hurt you?
☐ Did someone frighten you?
☐ Who loved you?
☐ What do you most like about (client)?
☐ What makes you angry about (client)?
☐ What makes you sad about (client)?
☐ What would happen if you were not here?
☐ If there was one thing that you wanted (client) to know, what would it be?
It’s really important the therapist safely ends the interview and facilitates the clients separation from her inner critic. I would suggest the therapist thanks the inner critic and then invites the client to return to their former chair, this aids a sense of separation. The therapist should then check in with the client, asking how they feel and make sure they are fully grounded.
I want to draw your attention to the fact the therapist is not challenging or trying to change the inner critic. The diagnostic interview is conducted from a place of curiosity and compassion. Via this process the therapist is also building a relationship with the inner critic and letting it know that it’s welcome in therapy room
🔵 CHAIRWORK VIDEOS TO WATCH NEXT
☐ How to use chairwork to resolve an inner conflict: • How To Use Transformat...
☐ How to use transformational chairwork: • How to Use Transformat...
☐ Advanced chairwork methods: • Advanced Transformatio...
🔵 WORK WITH LEWIS PSYCHOLOGY
If you'd like to work with Teresa, or a member of the Lewis Psychology team, please click on the links below:
☐ Lewis Psychology CIC (for face to face therapy): www.lewispsy.org.uk
☐ Lewis Psychology Online (for online therapy): lewispsyonline.co.uk
🔵 ABOUT TERESA LEWIS
Teresa Lewis is the founder and Director of Lewis Psychology and a Senior Accredited psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Snr. Accred). Qualified in 1995, Teresa has been providing counselling and psychotherapy treatment for nearly 30 years. Teresa holds a masters degree in counselling and psychotherapy and is a qualified EMDR Practitioner having completed training accredited with EMDR Europe. Teresa is also a qualified adult educator and an accredited Mindfulness teacher As a recognised expert in her field Teresa is frequently asked to conduct editorial reviews and endorse counselling and psychotherapy books for international publishing houses.
☐ Email: [e-mail]
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🔵 GRAPHICS AND THUMBNAIL
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#LewisPsychology

[@LewisPsychology]

🔵 CHAIRWORK VIDEOS TO WATCH NEXT ☐ How to use chairwork to resolve an inner conflict: kzbin.info/www/bejne/boKwaaGsbciJd5Y ☐ The inner critic diagnostic interview: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foKag5yBotGVn9U ☐ Advanced chairwork methods: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGOZnaN7gLSXg8U

[@aster_xx2670]

Your videos have been exceptionally helpful to me as a therapist in training. Did the empty chair in session with a client following your tips, and we had a really fruitful discussion! Really appreciate the way you break down concepts in an easy to understand manner :)

[@LewisPsychology]

That’s great to hear. I’m so pleased my videos have been helpful. Best wishes, Teresa.

[@andreabroomfiled3244]

Really informative video as usual. So helpful.Thank you.

[@LewisPsychology]

Thanks for your support Andrea. Best wishes, Teresa.

[@Grunfeld]

Thank you!

[@LewisPsychology]

You're welcome!

[@hughtube86]

Would love to see your video of how you interview the more punitive demonic critic one day :)

[@SusanaXpeace2u]

Interesting. I seem to believe that my critical inner voice is a thing of the past. And mostly it is! but sometimes I get this disappointed in myself feeling. It's really uncomfortable but i can rationally recognise that the thing that's making me uncomfortable is not a huge big deal.

[@LewisPsychology]

Thanks for sharing you insights Susan, that's interesting. Best wishes, Teresa.

[@come.tothinkoffit]

My god this video is amazing and so well done. Hope you're well Teresa 😊

[@LewisPsychology]

Thank you for your support Trevor. I'm well thanks. I hope you are keeping well too.

[@come.tothinkoffit]

A video on People pleasing would be great if you haven't done one already.

[@LewisPsychology]

I have a video on Transactional Analysis Drivers. The 'Please Others' driver may be of interest. See here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qHrTfWeFgtpkjaM. Best wishes, Teresa.

[@hannabio2770]

I would be really happy if you would do a video about self-hate! 😢 Sometimes I feel like "inner critic" and self-hate are not the same things at all... Or maybe you can share your experience with "killer critic" in your job?

[@LewisPsychology]

Yes, I do plan to do a video about the inner critic. Best wishes, Teresa.

[@hannabio2770]

@@LewisPsychology, thank you! I will be waiting for it! ❤️ Best wishes to you too!

[@Bichonfrise369]

Can you make video on BPD self harm please.

[@munkiechatchat]

In schema therapy the (chair of the) inner critic is send away (outside the therapist’s) room. This seems different from the Gestalt / EFT perspective?

[@LewisPsychology]

I wouldn’t know about EFT. Chairwork is from psychodrama which was then adopted by the gestalt school of psychotherapy. It’s a very creative process and there are actually multiple ways to work with parts of the self. However, I would never reject or banish a part which may lead to a backlash. Best wishes, Teresa.

[@PRGME7]

Can you do a video on interviewing/whatever you do with a killer critic?

[@LewisPsychology]

I’ll add that to my list. Best wishes, Teresa.

[@PRGME7]

@@LewisPsychology thanks!

[@Lyrielonwind]

I like your suggestion. I think my inner critic is mainly my mother's voice and she is a malignant covert narcissist. Yes, I feel I have a killer critic too. I can't prove it but I think she tried poisoning me at least once and provoking "accidents" a few times. Regards ☺️

[@emekdenizdemirci]

Inner critic is you being your own enemy. So harmful.

[@LewisPsychology]

It certainly is very harmful. Best. Wishes, Teresa.