Empty Chair Therapy

[Digz]

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone has done empty chair therapy before? (Where you essentially talk to an empty chair and pretend there is someone sitting there).
It was suggested to me as a possibility about a year or so ago. I said no because I thought I'd feel too awkward and weird, talking to an empty chair, especially with a therapist there watching me, also because I thought I could deal with the issue in other ways.
Now I'm beginning to think the issue isn't resolved and wondering whether I should give it a go. I've done so many things in therapy, told so many horrid stories, but for some reason I find the idea of this so awkward and embarrassing.
Thought somebody out there might have done it and might be able to set my mind at ease!!

 

[Seasounds]

Initially, as an introvert, I found it very awkward, especially in front of a therapist. As I took time to get use to the idea, and found out why and how it could be helpful, I decided it would be a good tool to have, amidst all the others.

As you might guess, therapists are interested in clients externalizing using their thoughts and feelings. The chair exercise, done alone or in front of another person, allowed me to get in touch with deeper feelings, and it gave me a chance to express-unedited, my sadness and anger, that I held inside.

It helped that I studied acting, between getting introduced to the idea, and then returning to the exercise, where I could follow through with it. When I approached it as an exploration, it became interesting, and it went all over the map.

I don't know about your childhood, but I was not allowed to express myself, and never felt safe enough to imagine.. So just getting a word out, was quite a feat. After a few times, I always felt better, and found new freedoms, after "playing chair".

Good luck! :)

 

[Digz]

Thanks so much. I never thought about the idea that it finally allows that child part that was never allowed to express themselves, to do so. I was certainly never allowed to either - I suppose it would be kind of empowering in that way.
I feel more positive about the idea already.

 

[Recovery4Me]

It helped that I studied acting, between getting introduced to the idea, and then returning to the exercise, where I could follow through with it. When I approached it as an exploration, it became interesting, and it went all over the map.

Exactly what I felt!
However, I requested the empty chair have an object placed in it. I brought a large stuff toy. One reason was the toy could be used as a comfort object in the event the session did go well :rolleyes: and two because I had felt not heard by those people that I was mad at already! The totally empty chair triggered too many abandonment issues: so the T and I compromised.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

I've done it in group therapy. I think it was a requirement?

 

[jaccat]

My first therapist tried it with me and I froze:(. I wanted to do it but wasn't ready. Hell I don't think I could do it now! But I like the idea of it.

 

[darrenS]

i couldn't do it, i need to see a face , to be able to read a face whilst i'm talking - i need to know someone is there and the feeling of an empty chair would only highlight the fact that many times through my life there was no one there. But like anything , if it works for you , go for it.

 

[Ronin]

I talk to all sorts of objects and invis people if I can't talk to people just to keep my ability to think / verbalize / communicate, so yes, did it, not seeing anything awkward in it. Invisible chair people at least didn't have setting me back input.

 

[shrinkingviolet]

I've actually used this method but talked to my mirror. I don't know if it's talking to my younger self or self soothing at times, but it helps me.

 

[The Herald]

After 20 years in therapy this was the method that finally helped me break through some of my biggest issues.

 

[whiteraven]

I did it once. Felt like an idiot. This kind of technique just doesn't work for me, but I can see where it would be quite helpful for some. My issue was not talking to an empty chair - I vent to myself and the mirror and the air all the time in my home - it was doing that in front of another person. Not every technique is for every one, but it doesn't hurt to try to discover if it is for you. :-)

 

[Powder]

I can see how this might work.

On the other hand, it reminds me of the way props get bashed and joked about, like ink blots and puppets. I can't help but envision the puppets in What About Bob?

Those were for the person to use the puppet as a filter (way of distancing oneself from the statements a bit) for their inner world to be externalized.