The empty chair technique

The empty chair technique is one of the work tools most used by Gestalt Theory. However, it is not exclusive to this current, it is also used by therapists from other branches of psychology. The popularization of its use is due to the fact that it has proven to be a very effective tool for addressing certain problems.

So, “The empty chair” is an emotional technique that can be a great resource to address unresolved issues from the past in consultation. Following the appropriate steps, marked by the therapist, the results can be very positive for personal development, and within this, for emotional development. This is because it allows emotional contact with an absent situation or person. The peculiar thing about this contact is that, in it, the patient retains control at all times.

This technique was devised by Fritz Perls, neuropsychiatrist and psychoanalyst, creator of Gestalt Therapy. He used it when he offered short demonstration sessions to large audiences of professionals who wanted to learn about the Gestalt approach.

However, also The creation of the empty chair technique is coined by Jacob Levy Moreno, founder of Psychodrama. Current in which the use of this tool is quite frequent as well. In both currents the use of the technique is the same and has its indications.

What is the empty chair technique?

The empty chair technique turns a psychotherapy session into an experiential encounter for the patient. In addition to the two usual chairs used in the psychotherapy set, a third chair is added – the empty chair – in which the person is induced to imagine that someone or something is sitting there, and then address it as if it were really present. .

Initially, the person imaginatively projects onto the empty chair a part of their personality, an absent person, a feeling or a specific situation with which they have a conflict to give way to a dialogue. Subsequently, the person, following the therapist’s instructions, will occupy the empty chair, thus changing roles. The dialogue is established through the change of roles in the chair.

That is, the person at first will address what is projected on the chairwill talk to you and say everything you need as if you were really present in the session. Subsequently, it will take the place of what was imagined and will give him the voice that will address his person.

What aspects does the empty chair technique address?

The confrontation that occurs in the staging of the empty chair allows the person to confront conflicts, both current and from the past. The idea is to produce an important cathartic and transformative effect. It is usually used to work for three different purposes.

A situation or event

They work with any event that has significantly marked the person and has altered their life in some way.. It may represent a disturbing situation or a traumatic event. For example, a rape, accident, abuse, physical assault or a childhood scene with your mother.

In this way, the person can give voice and a different understanding in the present to an event that occurred in the past. Where even though what happened cannot be changed, through contact with the emotions and thoughts of that moment The person will be able to express what they could not at that time and give a different meaning to the fact.

The empty chair technique, by producing a screen effect – where the person focuses their attention and projects the event – can get the person in touch with emotions and the way they affect their life. It gives a different meaning to the way you feel it, if it is in the past and if it is in the present, discovers new ways of facing and responding to such a situation.

A person not available

The empty chair technique allows work with the evocation of a person with whom there is unfinished businessbut is not available at this time, either because he has died, disappeared, abandoned, separated or simply because any other circumstance prevents the meeting.

Using the imagination, the person evokes that significant figure – which no longer exists in physical reality, but does exist in their psychological reality – by sitting it in the empty chair. Once this is achieved, the person goes directly to the figure occupying the chair, transmitting in the present all the emotions that made him feel in the past and currently. Let’s remember that the goal is to achieve a cathartic effect.

An aspect of one’s personality

The person projects aspects of his or her own personality, needs, disabilities, feelings, etc. onto the chair. To be able to better manage and understand subjective – internal – aspects in a different reality, concrete reality. By projecting these aspects onto the empty chair, they become more tangible. Somehow it’s like they come to life.

When the person projects aspects of their own personality onto the empty chair, it allows them to look at and examine themselves from a distance, from the outside.. In this way, she acquires the possibility of achieving a more impartial impression of herself. Sometimes, denying aspects of one’s personality lies in the struggle between the person’s desire and moral restriction, which leads to non-acceptance of oneself.

Using the empty chair technique

The empty chair technique is intended to be an instrument through which the person can stage a series of roles to project themselves and achieve cathartic effects. In this sense, it can project onto it those aspects of your personality not accepted as your own, an absent person, a feeling or a specific situation with which you have a conflict. All this with the purpose of integrating them.

Although it is a useful tool and seems simple to apply, it must be used under the supervision of a therapist. Its use is intermittent, It cannot be carried out in all sessions nor is it recommended for all people.. Hence the importance of always applying it by a therapist.

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