This book chapter is taken from – “Cognitive behavioural chairwork: Distinctive features” (2019) by Matthew Pugh.
The chapter introduces chair-based representations as a means to assess clients’ attitudes towards change, allowing the therapist to gauge the significance of the subject/object of ambivalence to the client.
Download chapter - Using chairwork to resolve ambivalence and enhance motivation
DR MATTHEW PUGH is a Clinical Psychologist, Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist, Advanced Schema Therapist, Voice Dialogue Facilitator, and chairwork practitioner. He is a Teaching Fellow with University College London and Lead Clinical Resource Developer with Psychology Tools.
Chapter overview
This chapter discusses the importance of addressing ambivalence in action-based therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT). It highlights that combining CBT with motivational interviewing (MI) has shown promising outcomes in improving engagement and therapeutic results. Additionally, experiential interventions are suggested as a way to resolve ambivalence and enhance commitment to change. It emphasises the need for therapists to consider their facilitation style when using chairwork to address ambivalence.