Affective Restructuring

Techniques:

1. Amplification of Affect

a. Intensification of Feeling

b. Exaggerating Polarities

c. Empty-Chair Technique “for unfinished business involves expression of previously suppressed primary emotion such as hurt and anger to the imaginary significant other in the empty chair” (Goldman, Greenberg, & Angus, 2006, p. 539). Theoretical Origins— Gestalt Therapy (Perls, )

d. Two-Chair Technique “one part of the self is guided to express the harsh criticism or negative self-statements to another part of the self in order to evoke the emotional reactions to the criticisms” Goldman, Greenberg, & Angus, 2006, p. 539). Theoretical Origins—Gestalt Therapy (Perls, ).

2. Focusing to deepen experience and symbolize implicit experience through systematic evocation (Gendlin, 1996; Greenberg et al., 1993).

• • Emotional Restructuring (Moss, 2001).
    • recollection of past negative situational memories tied to target individual
    • optional role play with therapist assuming the position of target individual
    • therapist presents a description of why the target individual engaged in detrimental behaviors affecting the client
    • role reversal with client assuming the position of target individual
    • imagery scene used to release anger and increase self-nurturing
    • provide additional information about the target individual that explains why this was all he or she was capable of doing
    • a brief role play in which the client acknowledges the harm caused by the target individual and the fact that he or she was incapable of doing otherwise, with a statement of forgiveness for the target individual (p. 222)

• Differentiation of Affect

• • Reflection of Feeling

• • Clarification of Feeling

• • Communicating Empathic Understanding

• • Validation of Feelings “letting patients know they have been heard and

encouraging further exploration” (Goldman, et al., 2006, p. 539)

• Integration of Affect

• Metabolization of Affect
  • Narrative
  • Free Association (Gabbard, 2004).