Good news if you feel guilty about not using experiential techniques all the time
- Tena Davies, Clinical Psychologist, Certified Schema Therapist
- Apr 22, 2022
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 24, 2022
We all know that experiential techniques like chairwork and imagery matter because they help weaken schemas and shift perspectives. Therefore, they are often seen as the holy grail of schema therapy. Using them in the room can make a therapist feel like a “real schema therapist.” Bonus points when the client cries and you reach their vulnerable child!
However, not using experiential techniques all the time can also bring therapist guilt and self-doubt because we can feel we SHOULD be doing them in every session! Hello demanding critic! And this can leave some therapists feeling like they’ve failed or are a fraud. Like they’re not really doing schema therapy at all.
So how can you reduce guilt while keeping your beautiful clients front and centre?
Know that experiential techniques (i.e., imagery or chairwork), while indeed important are one of four change strategies in schema therapy: cognitive, behavioural, experiential, limited reparenting and they’re all are valid interventions.
Remember that experiential exercises do not need to be done in every single session to bring about schema change.
Ask yourself why you are doing the experiential (or any) technique. Is it to appease your own critic? Or does it make clinical sense? Will this benefit the client?
Remain flexible by attuning to the client’s needs, pausing for a moment to collect your thoughts (I call this using thinking music), and selecting an intervention that flows from your formulation (i.e., from your understanding of which schemas and modes perpetuate the client’s difficulties),
Curb the criticism. While beating yourself up will help neither you nor your client, if you find yourself regularly avoiding experiential work, it might be worth doing additional training, reading or supervision to give you more confidence. Skills can always be improved.
Tena Davies is a Clinical Psychologist and advanced certified schema therapist in Melbourne, Australia.
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This is a thoughtful and insightful post from Tena Davies titled "Using Experiential Techniques," exploring how immersive, hands-on methods can deepen personal growth, therapeutic healing, and professional development. The article delves into the power of engaging active, experiential approaches rather than relying solely on traditional cognitive processing, helping individuals unlock new perspectives and emotional breakthroughs.
As explored in various personal development, wellness, and psychological overviews featured on https://34.ua, embracing innovative methods for self-reflection and growth is key to building resilience and achieving meaningful progress.
The author delivers a clear and compassionate guide on incorporating experiential tools into practice. Spotlighting these valuable wellness and development insights serves as a wonderful reminder of the transformative impact of active, engaged learning.