Gestalt Therapy Role-Play - Empty Chair Technique with Past Self

This video features a counseling role-play in which the empty chair technique from gestalt therapy is used to help a client (played by an actress) gain insight by pretending to speak with her past self about emotional abuse.

[@virginiamurrey9139]

This technique does a great job at showing the client how to explore their past, and helps them see how past events may be impacting their present self.

[@heather7927]

I think this is a great example and a great technique to utilize since it is so difficult for people to recover from past abuse and trauma. I think this can be a healing process for them.

[@angelinastanton7996]

I am glad that the empty chair technique was stopped after a couple exchanges of conversation between the client and her past image of herself. I didn't think the client could take much more, and it seemed like things were getting too deep and painful. It is helpful that the counselor can control the time spent using techniques like this one, depending on the client. I am surprised that the client stated that she was somewhat relieved with her anger after using the technique. I don't think this will be the case with many other clients, and I think the counselor should be prepared for the client to feel worse after this technique, before she starts to feel better. The counselor should have some tissues at hand and be prepared for the client to become more upset. I would like to see a role-play where the ending is not so happy and light-hearted because when I am a counselor, I want to have the skills to counsel the client who is distressed and learn how to appropriately deal with this and wrap up a session. Also, if the technique does not go well afterwards I don't think I would assign homework to reflect on her feelings during the technique. I do love the empty chair technique, but I realize how I would have to use it wisely.

[@donnabann9838]

I think internal family systems from Schwartz offers important skills needed in this situation. The younger part needed to be heard with compassion and to be heard thanked for the job she tried to do, to let go of wound energy, be brought into present, and trust that the more mature self could handle such a situation with newer problem solving skills. This work didn’t feel at all completed.

[@oneconsc3333]

You see that she understood and felt more calm and relaxed as soon as she crossed her legs🙏🏻

[@totalcontrol4205]

I couldn't do this. I think this would be a difficult exercise for many people, not because of the lack of imagination but because people, including myself don't want to meet up with different parts of ourselves. We're so afraid or angry and prefer to live in a compartmentalised reality. For those who can, I can see the help it offers.

[@angelinastanton7996]

I see where you are coming from. I think the counselor and client both need to be ready before trying this technique. I like the saying, "having tough skin" to explain the ideal clients for this technique. For example, this technique might be better for the client later on in counseling as opposed to near the beginning of starting counseling. Also, I think that clients who are abstract thinkers will be able to really get into this technique as opposed to clients who are concrete thinkers. Clients who are more concrete thinkers might scoff at the thought of this technique. However, I still love this technique because I realized how powerful it can be to open the client's mind.

[@oneconsc3333]

That’s precisely the problem..... your resistance. Look up the Sedona method, may help you. It’s something you can do on your own.🙏🏻💜

[@therabbithat]

What an awful experience, can you imagine loving a child but knowing that as she isn't yours her abusive father will get her if you make the decision to leave and keep yourself safe. :( Leaving was the right thing to do of course, but how hard it must have been.

[@Jenny-nz8fb]

They are acting, it said that at the start.

[@NS-lz6jh]

Not supposed to say " imagination " in gestalt- because it creates separation from the role play.

[@johntobey1558]

True, should be getting, "into charecter" and then deroling . It is essentially Psycho-drama.

[@saminarose80]

This is really annoying me! Why is she so angry about her past self!? She did her best based on how she felt and what she knew back then! I’d be sorry for my past self and wish I could be there to tell her how she can help herself out of the bad situation rather than being angry at myself.

[@julutram823]

She may be feeling as if she's wasted time. As people get older they feel more upset about time getting wasted.

[@boolynne4800]

Samina Yaghouti this is a re-enactment!

[@feeltheyumyums]

Some people feel grief about what happened to them, and grief comes out as anger sometimes

[@sssskkkkgggg]

That's exactly why he is using this example to perform Gestalt therapy. It is to assist the client in moving towards increased awareness. She is now less angry because she is aware what the past her did was for a good reason. In other words, if she didn't come to have this therapy , she would have been still angry at her past self.