Abstract

Objective: Recent years have seen a significant and rapid increase in the provision of tele-therapies. Chairwork methods such as empty-chair dialogues and role-play represent a “common” category of therapeutic interventions which are utilized in many psychotherapeutic approaches. However, guidelines for facilitating chairwork in tele-therapy are currently lacking. The aim of this study was to survey expert providers regarding how chairwork is best provided in internet-delivered psychotherapy.

Method: Forty one experts were recruited from a range of therapeutic backgrounds including cognitive behaviour therapy, compassion focused therapy, emotion focused therapy, psychodrama, schema therapy, and voice dialogue. Participants completed a brief questionnaire survey exploring the delivery of tele-chairwork. Responses were analysed using thematic analysis.

Results: Five themes were identified: (i) divided opinion; (ii) convergence between therapy and home; (iii) disconnection and depth; (iv) practical impediments and benefits; and (v) revising and re-visioning chairwork. Overall, results indicate that chairwork can be successfully incorporated into tele-therapy, but requires adaption and special considerations.

Discussion: Despite challenges, tele-chairwork appears to be a feasible method of psychotherapeutic intervention. Preliminary guidelines for initiating, facilitating, and concluding tele-chairwork are presented, alongside future directions for research.

摘要

目标：近年来，远程治疗的提供显着且迅速增加。诸如空椅子对话和角色扮演之类的椅子工作方法代表了许多心理治疗方法中使用的治疗干预的“常见”类别。然而，目前缺乏促进远程治疗主席工作的指导方针。本研究的目的是调查专家提供者，了解如何在互联网提供的心理治疗中最好地提供主席工作。

方法：从一系列治疗背景中招募了 41 位专家，包括认知行为治疗、同情聚焦治疗、情绪聚焦治疗、心理剧、图式治疗和语音对话。参与者完成了一项简短的问卷调查，探讨了远程主持工作的交付。使用主题分析来分析反应。

结果：确定了五个主题：(i) 意见分歧；(ii) 治疗与家庭的融合；(iii) 断开和深度；(iv) 实际障碍和好处；(v) 修改和重新设想主席工作。总的来说，结果表明椅子工作可以成功地融入远程治疗，但需要适应和特殊考虑。

讨论：尽管存在挑战，远程主持似乎是一种可行的心理治疗干预方法。提出了启动、促进和结束远程主席工作的初步指南，以及未来的研究方向。