Affective Restructuring

Techniques:

1. Amplification of Affect

a. Intensification of Feeling

b. Exaggerating Polarities

c. Empty-Chair Technique “for unfinished business involves expression of previously suppressed primary emotion such as hurt and anger to the imaginary significant other in the empty chair” (). Theoretical Origins— Gestalt Therapy (Perls, )

d. Two-Chair Technique “one part of the self is guided to express the harsh criticism or negative self-statements to another part of the self in order to evoke the emotional reactions to the criticisms” Goldman, Greenberg, & Angus, 2006, p. 539). Theoretical Origins—Gestalt Therapy (Perls, ).

e. Focusing to deepen experience and symbolize implicit experience through systematic evocation (Gendlin, 1996; Greenberg et al., 1993).

f. Emotional Restructuring (Moss, 2001).

1) recollection of past negative situational memories tied to target individual

2) optional role play with therapist assuming the position of target individual

3) therapist presents a description of why the target individual engaged in detrimental behaviors affecting the client

4) role reversal with client assuming the position of target individual

5) imagery scene used to release anger and increase self-nurturing

6) provide additional information about the target individual that explains why this was all he or she was capable of doing and

7) a brief role play in which the client acknowledges the harm caused by the target individual and the fact that he or she was incapable of doing otherwise, with a statement of forgiveness for the target individual (p. 222)

2. Differentiation of Affect

a. Reflection of Feeling

b. Clarification of Feeling

c. Communicating Empathic Understanding

d. Validation of Feelings “letting patients know they have been heard and encouraging further exploration” (Goldman, et al., 2006, p. 539)

3. Integration of Affect

4. Metabolization of Affect

a. Narrative

b. Free Association (Gabbard, 2004).

Goldman, Greenberg, & Angus, 2006, p. 539