Chairwork skills in action

Chairwork is a powerful, energising therapeutic method that helps clients step into their inner world, voice competing parts of themselves, and shift entrenched patterns of self-relating. Rooted in over a century of development, it remains one of the most practical and impactful experiential tools available to clinicians today.

This workshop gives you a fast-paced, hands-on introduction to the core techniques;  from two-chair dialogues to dramatisations and intrapersonal interviews. You’ll see each method demonstrated live, learn exactly how to apply it step by step, and practise the skills yourself. We’ll pay particular attention to working with self-criticism, showing how chairwork can transform harsh inner voices into more compassionate, flexible ways of responding.

Background to the workshop

Therapists often work with clients struggling with self-criticism, unresolved conflicts, or entrenched relational patterns. These difficulties can create a sense of being “stuck” in therapy, calling for approaches that move beyond conversation alone. Chairwork provides an experiential method for clients to externalise inner dialogues, shift perspective, and actively engage with different parts of themselves in transformative ways. Over time, it has been integrated into a range of therapeutic traditions; from gestalt therapy to ACT, and valued for its accessibility, adaptability, and clinical effectiveness. This workshop reflects the growing recognition of chairwork as a core therapeutic skill for supporting clients to change how they relate to themselves and others.

What you will gain from this workshop

By the end of this workshop, you’ll be able to:

• Master core Chairwork methods step-by-step, including two-chair dialogues, dramatisations and intrapersonal interviews.
• Develop practical strategies to work with self-criticism and hostile self-talk using Chairwork to shift these patterns.
• Draw on insights from live demonstrations that illustrate Chairwork’s application in real clinical practice.
• Gain fresh ideas for adapting Chairwork to various clients presentations and therapeutic objectives.
• Boost your confidence in using Chairwork through experiential exercises and group discussions.

About this workshop

Delivered by Dr Matthew Pugh and Dr Tobyn Bell, internationally recognised trainers. This workshop draws on their extensive clinical, academic, and training expertise. Matthew brings his background as a Clinical Psychologist, CBT and Advanced Schema Therapist, Voice Dialogue facilitator, author of Cognitive Behaviour Chairwork: Distinctive Features, and Teaching Fellow at UCL. Tobyn contributes his experience as a Compassion-Focused Psychotherapist, accredited Schema and CBT Therapist, Voice Dialogue facilitator, co-author of Compassion Focused Therapy from the Inside Out, and honorary lecturer at the University of Manchester. Together, they create a rich, practical learning environment blending clear step-by-step teaching, live demonstrations, and small-group experiential practice. As one participant shared: “The experience was great – fabulous teachers, learnt a lot.”

Who will benefit from this workshop?

This workshop is designed for psychologists, therapists, counsellors, and other mental health professionals who are interested in incorporating chairwork into their practice. A basic working knowledge of chairwork will be helpful, if you are new to chairwork you can either read this article https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/pull-chair or watch this short animation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNWZyMQH3yQ&t=11s.

Feedback from previous attendees

“There was nothing that wasn’t useful it was one of the best courses I’ve ever been on”

“Both facilitators were so knowledgeable and approachable.”

“This is a great training. It was incredibly useful for my practice, learned a lot. The real plays and opportunities for us to practice were invaluable! Will recommend this training!”