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Healing Our Empty Chairs

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Lesson Plan

Healing Our Empty Chairs

Participants will learn and apply the Empty Chair Technique to address unresolved trauma and PTSD symptoms, facilitating emotional processing and promoting healing in a supportive group setting.

This lesson provides a powerful, experiential method for women to confront and resolve internal conflicts or unfinished business related to past trauma, leading to significant emotional release and a step towards healing. It empowers them to give voice to unspoken feelings and move forward.

Audience

Group of Women

Time

120 minutes

Approach

Experiential therapy and guided group discussion.

Materials

Whiteboard or Flip Chart and Markers, Comfortable Chairs (enough for participants, plus one 'empty chair'), Notebooks and Pens for Participants, Slide Deck: Healing Our Empty Chairs, and Discussion: Empty Chair Technique Reflection

Prep

Preparation

30 minutes

  • Review all generated materials, especially the Slide Deck: Healing Our Empty Chairs and Discussion: Empty Chair Technique Reflection, to ensure familiarity with the content and flow.
    * Arrange chairs in a circle, with one empty chair positioned to be easily accessible for participants to interact with during the activity.
    * Ensure the whiteboard or flip chart and markers are ready for group brainstorming.
    * Have notebooks and pens available for participants who may not have their own.
    * Create a calm and private environment, minimizing distractions.

Step 1

Welcome and Introduction

10 minutes

  • Welcome participants and introduce the session, setting a safe and confidential tone.
    * Briefly introduce the concept of the Empty Chair Technique as a tool for processing unresolved emotions and trauma.
    * Review group guidelines for respectful listening and sharing.

Step 2

Understanding Trauma and Unfinished Business

15 minutes

  • Use the Slide Deck: Healing Our Empty Chairs to explain how trauma can leave us with 'unfinished business' and unspoken feelings.
    * Facilitate a brief group discussion on common feelings associated with unresolved trauma (e.g., anger, sadness, guilt, fear), allowing participants to share general experiences without going into detail about their specific trauma.

Step 3

Introducing the Empty Chair Technique

20 minutes

  • Continue using the Slide Deck: Healing Our Empty Chairs to thoroughly explain the Empty Chair Technique.
    * Clearly outline the steps: identifying the 'other,' expressing feelings, switching chairs, and responding as the 'other.'
    * Emphasize that this is a role-playing exercise designed for emotional processing, not a literal conversation.

Step 4

Guided Practice Demonstration

15 minutes

  • Offer a brief, non-personal demonstration of the technique (e.g., imagining a conversation with 'self-doubt' or 'fear').
    * Walk through each step clearly, verbalizing the process and expressing emotions in a generalized way.
    * Answer any initial questions and address concerns about the process.

Step 5

Individual Empty Chair Work (Volunteer-Based)

30 minutes

  • Invite volunteers to engage in the Empty Chair Technique individually within the group setting.
    * Important: Reiterate that participation is voluntary and they can choose the extent of their sharing. Stress that they do not need to disclose specific traumatic events, but rather focus on the feelings and unfinished business related to them.
    * Provide gentle guidance and support as each volunteer works through the technique.
    * Ensure a safe space for emotional expression and provide a debrief after each individual's session, if time allows and the participant is comfortable.

Step 6

Group Processing and Reflection

20 minutes

  • Lead a facilitated Discussion: Empty Chair Technique Reflection.
    * Encourage participants to share their general feelings, insights, or observations about the technique, both from observing and participating (if they chose to).
    * Focus on themes like emotional release, new perspectives, or challenges faced.
    * Use the whiteboard/flip chart to capture key themes or feelings shared.

Step 7

Coping Strategies and Next Steps

10 minutes

  • Briefly discuss healthy coping strategies for processing intense emotions that may arise after such an activity (e.g., journaling, mindfulness, seeking individual therapy, self-care practices).
    * Reinforce the idea that this is one tool among many for healing and that continued self-compassion is key.
    * Provide resources for individual support if appropriate.

Step 8

Closing

10 minutes

  • Thank participants for their courage and vulnerability.
    * Reiterate the importance of self-care and continued processing.
    * End with a brief, positive closing statement.
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