Effects of Gestalt Therapy Two-Chair Dialogue on Divorce Decision Making

Abstract

Using Q-methodology, Mackay's (1995) study sought to find empirical support for the three-stage model of the Gestalt two-chair technique and the theory put forth by Greenberg (1979, 1983) and Greenberg, Rice, and Elliot (1993). A structured Q-sort was constructed using the factors of conflict resolution (CR) and the Gestalt concept of contact (C) in a 2×2 factorial design. Each factor was divided into two levels: CR-resolved versus unresolved and C-contact versus interruption of contact. The factors of CR and C were expected to interact before and after successful and unsuccessful therapy for decision making. Eight participants who were ambivalent about staying married performed the Q-sort before and after six sessions of therapy in which the two-chair technique was used as the primary intervention to facilitate their pre-decision making regarding their marriage. Moderate support was found for the three stages of the model: opposition, merging, and integration. When therapy was successful, the factors of CR and C interacted as predicted. When therapy was not successful, the factors of CR and C did not interact as predicted. The factors of CR and C did not interact for individuals who were experiencing a great deal of interruption of contact, indicating there is a possible prestage to the model.