On this episode of “Sanity” Dr. Jason Duncan, Dr. Scott Kellogg, and Amanda Garcia Torres discuss transformational chairwork. Transformational chairwork is a transtheoretical psychotherapy technique which involves utilizing physical chairs in a session to parse out various “parts” of ourselves, speak from these parts, and allow our inner leader to gain control. Chairwork can also be used to role-play difficult conversations or as a part of grief therapy to reconcile any issues with individuals who have passed. Dr. Kellogg and Amanda Garcia Torres discussed the various components of chairwork and described how it can be used in conjunction with other psychotherapy modalities, such as cognitive restructuring in treatment for OCD. One of the core pieces of chairwork is about creating space for these various parts we may have been unable to hear through the chaos of everything else going on, or we have lost touch with. Amanda Garcia Torres also shares how chairwork can be used to treat issues related to social justice and traumatization from oppression. The episode ends with Amanda Garcia Torres leading Dr. Duncan through a chairwork role-play regarding feelings of anxiety. This is a great podcast for clinicians wanting to learn more about this psychotherapeutic technique, or any future client who may find this work beneficial for their psychological struggles.

Transformational Chairwork: Using Psychotherapeutic Dialogues in Clinical Practice by Scott Kellogg: https://www.amazon.com/Transformational-Chairwork-Psychotherapeutic-Dialogues-Clinical/dp/1442229535

Links to papers and research: https://transformationalchairwork.com/

Schema Therapy Bulletin: https://schematherapysociety.org/Sys/Login?ReturnUrl=%2fSchema-Therapy-Bulletin

Social Media Information:

Facebook and Instagram: @transformationalchairwork

LinkedIn: The Transformational Chairwork Psychotherapy Project

Website: https://transformationalchairwork.com/

Amanda’s Website: https://chairworktherapynyc.com/