Chair Dialog Case Study
1.The majority of this session involves chair dialog. What was the goal of chair dialog in the case of Helen? How effective do you believe this technique was? 3.Let’s now assume that Helen’s mother was a drug user in utero. This has caused Helen some cognitive problems throughout her life. If you were to utilize the Empty Chair Technique with Helen, what do you believe the outcome would be? The big goal in Gestalt Therapy is awareness. There are two kinds of awareness: awareness of a moment, process, or aspect of content and awareness of one’s own awareness (N. Murdock, 2009). The interview I viewed of Helen’s therapy session involved chair dialog (Pearson Education, Inc.,2009). Prior to utilizing chair dialog the therapist observed Helen
engaging in communication that suggested her thoughts were being controlled by unconscious motivation. The goal of chair dialogue is to bring awareness or insight to the emotions that are encouraged by one’s thoughts. Helen is harboring negative feelings towards her ex-husband, however, she is unaware of the unhealthy internal feelings she possesses. In Helen’s case, the chair dialogue offers focused awareness and experimentation in order to achieve insight (N. Mudock, 2009). The therapist noticed that Helen was unaware of the feelings she was harboring because she was not taking ownership of those feelings. Rather than having Helen work towards an ineffective therapeutic goal, the therapist used chair dialogue for her because it allows for her to engage in dialogue and to become aware of the awareness. The chair dialogue is effective for several reasons; one, it will allow for Helen to become aware of internal conflicts and two, it will allow for her to deal with the unresolved issues with her ex-husband. The counselor intervening periodically, calling attention to what Helen stated or how she stated it, will assist Helen with getting in touch with the feelings she is unaware that she possesses.
If Helen’s mother was abusing drug during utero and caused Helen to endure cognitive difficulties throughout her life utilizing the Empty Chair Technique with Helen is possible. I believe the therapist may need to provide a more structured plan, such as, intervening more often and assisting Helen with evaluating her thoughts to be sure the thoughts and feelings she has towards her mother are accurate. If there is no evidence that the thought is true than the therapist would need to explain that to Helen, rather than, waiting for Helen to become aware of it on her own. according to Gestalt therapy individuals are the primary agents in determining their own behavior therefore, despite Helen’s cognitive difficulties utilizing chair dialog would offer awareness to Helen’s behaviors. References:
Murdock, N. L. (2009). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Pearson Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Gestalt therapy session (Episode 2). In Pearson Education, Inc. (Producer), Theories in action. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
engaging in communication that suggested her thoughts were being controlled by unconscious motivation. The goal of chair dialogue is to bring awareness or insight to the emotions that are encouraged by one’s thoughts. Helen is harboring negative feelings towards her ex-husband, however, she is unaware of the unhealthy internal feelings she possesses. In Helen’s case, the chair dialogue offers focused awareness and experimentation in order to achieve insight (N. Mudock, 2009). The therapist noticed that Helen was unaware of the feelings she was harboring because she was not taking ownership of those feelings. Rather than having Helen work towards an ineffective therapeutic goal, the therapist used chair dialogue for her because it allows for her to engage in dialogue and to become aware of the awareness. The chair dialogue is effective for several reasons; one, it will allow for Helen to become aware of internal conflicts and two, it will allow for her to deal with the unresolved issues with her ex-husband. The counselor intervening periodically, calling attention to what Helen stated or how she stated it, will assist Helen with getting in touch with the feelings she is unaware that she possesses.
If Helen’s mother was abusing drug during utero and caused Helen to endure cognitive difficulties throughout her life utilizing the Empty Chair Technique with Helen is possible. I believe the therapist may need to provide a more structured plan, such as, intervening more often and assisting Helen with evaluating her thoughts to be sure the thoughts and feelings she has towards her mother are accurate. If there is no evidence that the thought is true than the therapist would need to explain that to Helen, rather than, waiting for Helen to become aware of it on her own. according to Gestalt therapy individuals are the primary agents in determining their own behavior therefore, despite Helen’s cognitive difficulties utilizing chair dialog would offer awareness to Helen’s behaviors. References:
Murdock, N. L. (2009). Theories of counseling and psychotherapy: A case approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.
Pearson Education, Inc. (Producer). (2009). Gestalt therapy session (Episode 2). In Pearson Education, Inc. (Producer), Theories in action. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education, Inc.