Empty Chair Technique

Originally, this technique implemented by the counselor asking the client to imagine someone they have difficulty speaking to sitting in the chair across from them. This would typically occur in a session when a client has something on their mind but cannot get their thoughts across for whatever reason. The counselor then sets up a counseling session that allows the client to practice expressing their thoughts and feelings out loud. However, this technique is also used to represent opposite sides of an issue. In this case, the counselor would set up two chairs across from each other, each representing a different side or point of view. The client sits on one chair first and discusses this point of view. When the counselor feels that they have completely expressed everything needed before moving on, then the counselor will ask them to sit in the other chair and do the same from that point of view. This allows the client to become aware of both sides of the issue.