Summary
Chairwork is a hands-on, experiential intervention that can meaningfully enhance clinical practice by helping clients engage directly with their internal experiences. Originating in early psychodrama and later refined within cognitive-behavioral and schema-based therapies, chairwork is grounded in the principle that when individuals are supported in identifying and giving voice to their internal beliefs, emotions, and conflicting parts, they develop greater awareness, flexibility, and intentionality in their responses rather than functioning on automatic or habitual patterns. Using the organizing framework of the Three Chairs, the Child, the Survivor, and the Wise Adult, this workshop explores how clients can move beyond survival toward thriving and posttraumatic growth following experiences of trauma, neglect, and addiction. A spiritual dimension is intentionally integrated into the Three Chairs model, for willing Chrisitan clients. Licensed mental health professionals and ministry leaders will examine the core components of chairwork using the Three Chairs model, offering concrete clinical examples and demonstrations. Emphasis will be placed on practical application, including how to introduce chairwork, structure sessions, and respond to emotional intensity as it arises. Participants will leave the workshop with a clear understanding of how to implement the Three Chairs model in their own clinical or ministry settings.
Learning Objectives
Define attributes and functions of each chair: Child, Survivor, and Wise Adult.
Demonstrate the use of the Three Chairs model with clients struggling with addictive and compulsive behaviors.
Identify legitimate human desires that may become distorted through trauma and drive survival-based choices.