Sample Dialogue: Empty Chair Technique

The Empty Chair Technique is one of the stages of "chair work," writes Norman Friedman^[1] is to "encourage both the two sides to confront one another and to intensify the conflict. In other words, it aims to produce the "reenactment" of "unfinished business" which, according to Perls' theory, is essential to experiencing and assimilating unacknowledged feelings.

Sample Dialogue

Norman Friedman^[1] creates the following 2 hypothetical dialogues:

PT: (a college coed): My English professor gave me only a B on my paper yesterday. I don't think he likes me.

TH: Would you tell that to him?

PT: "Why are you so down on me? Don't I do all the homework?"

TH: Now switch over and be him. (physically changes seats)

PT: (As her English Professor) "Sure, you do all the work. But you're just a drone, no imagination."

TH: Can you hear yourself? Whom do you sound like?

PT: You know, I think he looks a little like my father to me! He never liked anything I ever did.

Another Sample Dialogue

PT: My father never liked anything I did.

TH: What does that feel like?

PT: It feels like shit. I feel like shit.

TH: Could you tell him that now?

PT: "Dad, you're always criticizing me, always making me feel like I can't do anything right."

TH: (Pauses to see if she's with what she's seeing, then suggests): Switch over.

PT: (As dad): "Well, you know, honey, it's only because I love you so much that I want to see you shine."

TH: Switch back.

PT: "That's bullshit! If you love me so much, why are you always showing me my mistakes?"

PT: (As dad): "Well, someone has got to do it. How else will you learn to shape up?"

TH: What do you feel as dad?

PT: That she is a piece of shit.

TH: Could you tell that to her some more? Do it openly.

References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Friedman, N. (1993). Fritz Perls's layers' and the empty chair: A reconsideration. The Gestalt Journal, XVI(2), pp. 95-118.