CFT Chair Work (Two-Chair / Three-Chair) — Compassion-Focused Therapy

An experiential technique in which the client embodies different parts of the self by moving between chairs. The key feature of the CFT version: the mandatory introduction of the "compassionate self chair" as regulator and transformer, not just a dialogue between critic and victim. Embodiment makes inner dialogues visible, bodily, and available for processing.

Step-by-step guide

Mark out two chairs: the "critic chair" and the "compassionate self chair"
Ask the client to sit on the "critic chair" and embody the criticizing part
The client moves to the "compassionate self chair" — leads SRB, takes the posture
From the compassionate self, answer the critic
Continue the dialogue — 2–4 exchanges
Three-chair version: a "suffering self chair" is added

When to use

With pronounced inner self-criticism with clear "voices"
With shame, depression, perfectionism
When verbal work is not reaching the affective level
When access to compassion is difficult — embodiment helps bypass intellectualization

Key phrases

Let us try something different. This chair here is a place for the part of you that criticizes. And this one here — for the part that holds wisdom and kindness.

Follow-up questions

Try sitting on the "critic chair" and giving it a voice — what does it usually say?

Alternative phrasings

And then we will move to the other chair — and see what the compassionate part wants to say in reply.

Warnings

⚠️ Do not force the move to compassion — first listen fully to the critic
⚠️ With dissociation or unstable states — do not use without preparation
⚠️ Some clients feel "silly" — normalize this

Source: Bell T. 2020, 2021; Gilbert P. 2010