‘A definite feel-it moment’: Embodiment, externalization and emotion during chair-work in compassion-focused therapy
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Bell et al 2019 CFT chair work.pdf
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Abstract
Chair-work is an experiential method used within compassion-focused therapy (CFT) to apply compassion to various aspects of the self. This is the first study of CFT chair-work and is focused on clients’ lived experiences of a chair-work intervention for self-criticism. Twelve participants with depression were interviewed following the chair-work intervention and the resulting data was examined using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA). Three superordinate themes were identified: ‘embodiment and enactment’, ‘externalizing the self in physical form’ and ‘emotional intensity’. The findings suggest the importance of accessing and expressing various emotions connected with self-criticism, whilst highlighting the potential for client distress and avoidance during the intervention. The role of embodying, enacting and physically situating aspects of the self in different chairs is also suggested to be an important mechanism of change in CFT chair-work. The findings are discussed in terms of clinical implications, emphasizing how core CFT concepts and practices are facilitated by the chair-work process.Citation
Bell, T., Montague, J., Elander, J. & Gilbert, P. (2019). ‘A definite feel-it moment’: Embodiment, externalization and emotion during chair-work in compassion-focused therapy'. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, pp. 1-20. DOI: 10.1002/capr.12248Publisher
WileyJournal
Counselling and Psychotherapy ResearchDOI
10.1002/capr.12248Additional Links
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/capr.12248Type
ArticleLanguage
enISSN
14733145EISSN
17461405ae974a485f413a2113503eed53cd6c53
10.1002/capr.12248
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