Running Head: PEER REVIEWED PRACTICE SESSION

Peer Reviewed Practice Session

Jillian Pratzner
PSYS 656 Section B
April 20, 2015

PEER REVIEWED PRACTICE SESSION

For my first practice session this semester I worked with a friend of a

peer in the program. I had previously sat with her for an acupuncture intake
as part of a trade situation and we talked about using the Gestalt Open Seat
work for a conflict she was experiencing. The session began with her
describing two voices within herself that had different opinions about
whether she should speak with someone from her past about the conclusion
of their relationship. We identified the more dominant voice as the voicing
part of her, as that was a way of being she was most comfortable with and
she felt she needed to speak her truth. The marginalized voice was the voice
of silence, that believed she didnt need to say anything at this point, a year
after the termination of the relationship. I had her choose which cushion was
which, and she started off on the voicing cushion. She was in each seat
twice and by the end of the session had uncovered much. She realized that
the voicing part of her was more concerned about her friends welfare and
that by talking to him she was actually trying to comfort him and give him
closure. She felt most light in the silent voice at the end and didnt even
want to go back to the other cushion. The dominant voice had been
uncovered as trying to meet a need for her to connect back into the
unhealthy relationship from her past, and she recognized that the silent
voice was taking care of her. She didnt need to speak her truth for her
boundaries to be understood. A phrase I had her repeat along with a
movement sequence was The more strong in my boundaries, the more free
I can be.

PEER REVIEWED PRACTICE SESSION

I noticed many things during the re-watching of the session. I was

concerned by how much I looked down when I was sitting next to her
repeating her movements. During peer feedback it was mentioned that
remembering the phrase one eye open and one eye closed could help me
titrate in and out of myself better. I felt awkward sitting next to her staring at
her so I tried to watch her movements sideways as I mirrored them, and to
close my eyes when she did. I believe the awkwardness has a lot to do with
my own eye movement preferences. I notice when it comes to women I am
less likely to look at them directly for long periods of time, but with men I do.
I think there is a part of me that equates direct eye contact with sexuality
and also power. I did not want to make her uncomfortable with my stare,
when in fact it makes me uncomfortable. My peers mentioned that I missed
some micro movements when I used indirect gaze; so next time I will keep
my gaze soft not closed and watch my client more directly. Perhaps I can
practice different types of direct gaze in my practice session with peers and
get their feedback.
I used the interventions of specify, intensify and repeat most often. I
used repeating especially if a strong movement phrase was expressed at the
same time as her voice. I also used my voice to intensify her other voice.
Something I have found that worked well in previous practice sessions using
Open Seat work was to repeat a summary of what the previous seat had just
expressed. I find intensifying the meaning is helpful for the client to respond
to what they just realized in the other seat. My peers thought that this was a

PEER REVIEWED PRACTICE SESSION

really great and helpful intervention, even though it does not follow the exact
blueprint of Open Seat work. The only thing I noticed that I would do
differently is to raise my voice. My clients voice was engaged and
passionate, and mine was just somewhat softer. More attunement using my
voice wouldve been helpful. Voice is another mode of communication I
equate with power, and I have issues finding my voice. This is an edge I
know I will need to work on, and again in class is a perfect time to work with
this. I also found that I would get lost in her story, as she would talk for a
long while to the other voice. I would try to pick out the most important
themes I heard and summarize them using more poetic terms, but I would
have to ask her if I was getting that right or had missed something. When I
wrote the transcription it was clear how much I stumbled over my words. I
know what I want to say, but it just isnt coming out that way yet. My peers
thought that I couldve explained certain phrases or words I used in more
detail. One peer mentioned that I used the word ambivalence at one point,
and that she sensed the client was confused by the word. I am seeing that I
am using more phrases that I hear in class, but I am also realizing that those
phrases are something for therapists use to communicate with each other
and that clients do not use those words. It is almost like I have to translate
what I mean into easily understandable and relatable language. One way I
can think about getting better at this skill is by taking a breath and titrating
in before talking, and by maybe keeping track of the key words and themes
from the story. Or maybe even saying, Wow! Theres a lot there. Tell me if I

PEER REVIEWED PRACTICE SESSION

got this right. Or, Lets go back to that one thing you said, it seemed really
important.
My peers noticed that I was not entering into the sensing part of the
therapeutic triangle with my client. I would say things like breathe into that
and the client would sit still and breathe. However my peers did not think
that she was getting a truly somatic sense of her body. We worked heavily
with movement phrases, breath and verbalization, but I do see now that I
could have guided her more into picking up her bodily cues. I know she is a
yoga instructor and she would close her eyes and seem to get very internal
when I would prompt her, so I think I took that for granted as a sign that she
was sensing into her body. Also, when I work with peers in class they
automatically go into sensing with very little coaching. Next time I will use
more body oriented words and questions like, where in your body are you
picking up sensation. Focusing would also be a useful strategy to have the
client enter into sensing.
On the multicultural level there was a lot of similarities between us,
and I dare say that couldve led to some counter transference. Hence why I
assumed she was sensing her body. We were wearing the same type of
clothes and even had the same type of buns on top of our head. We had hit it
off when we previously met to do the acupuncture assessment, and it
seemed like we had a lot of common values and worldviews. I had not
realized that the assessment she would do on me would be so thorough and
intimate. I think it made a difference because I liked her, and I got a sense

PEER REVIEWED PRACTICE SESSION

that I wanted to be friends. I was aware of my counter transference and tried

to do my best to remain very neutral about her revelations. However I do
question, is it not appropriate to be happy with a client when they have
realized something big? I think it is appropriate and even apart of
encouragement. My peers did not pick up on any transference or counter
transference even after I asked them. This has me wondering if it is mostly
an internally felt sense between the therapist and client. Also, is it ok to like
your client? The more clients I encounter the more I realize that I
unfortunately will have bias and opinions of them formed almost
immediately, its apart of human nature. I did not feel an overwhelmed sense
of needing her to find a solution, but I was really excited when she did. When
does excitement infer countertransference? I did make one multicultural
mistake. When she was describing her friend I assumed it was a female and
used the word she. I asked about it and apologized for assuming, and she
corrected me and said it was in fact a male.
The structure of the session went well. I was more directive than
normal because of the open seatwork and my peers noted that. However
they agreed with me that it was needed to have the work proceed in a
productive way. I ended the session by asking my client to move the
cushions in whatever way she felt was a complete way to end. She placed
the pillows on top of one another and we briefly discussed what had just
occurred. I believe we ended about 5 minutes earlier because she felt like
she didnt have much more to say. My peers felt that I couldve shown more

PEER REVIEWED PRACTICE SESSION

appreciation and acknowledgment. I feel most unsure of how to facilitate the

appreciation phase, so it makes sense they felt that way. Next time I could
combine sensing with appreciation. I would have used those last 5 minutes
to have gone more into the felt sense and had her scan her body. I find I
have trouble myself taking the time to appreciate the work I just did and will
just rush past it. It makes me uncomfortable and to be in that space of
gratitude feels really vulnerable. If I cant be vulnerable in front of my clients,
I know that they wont be able to feel that either. Maybe softening and again
titrating in will allow me to hold that space and appreciation phase better.

I felt really amazing about the session, and it seemed like she did as
well. My body was buzzing with excitement afterward and I felt a sense of
ease and relaxation everywhere. Overall I felt a little more adept this time
and very honored to have witnessed her process.

Transcription

T: Now which one do you feel more up to start with?

C: Ah, the voicing laughing
T: Ok, go ahead and take a seat.
C: Ok. Just like this?
T: Yeah, mmhmm, however you want to sit. So basically you are going to be
talking straight to this part of you, to the silence part, not to me. Ill be here
to help you talk to this part of you, but uh, if you start to talk to me Ill direct
your attention back to this part.
C: Ok.
T: So youre literally talking to yourself.
C: Ok. So am I talking to the silence like exp just why I wouldnt want to be
silent or why I would want to be silent?
T: nodding head yeah, anything that comes up for you. And I invite you to
use your gestures and your hands, your body, to really feel how it feels.
C: ok, ok, Ive never done this before laughing
T: smiling back its ok. Lets go ahead and embody how it feels to really
speak your voice, to let people know how it is that they impacted you. How it
feels inside of you, the energy it brings up silence and when you feel
ready go ahead and start the conversation.
C: Well to, ah, talk about sharing my truth brings up a lot of insecurity
because often times in the past Ive struggled with reeling the fundamental,
like the systemic truth. Instead I feel like Ive said a lot of fluff like things that
perhaps I havent really meant, or things that werent the real essence of
what I would want to say, especially when it comes to Kyle. And, if I were to
say something to him, it would be pretty scary, and I would have to say I
betrayed myself to accommodate you. I disrespected myself to make you
happy. I let you walk all over me because I wanted your love so badly. And,
theres a lot of vulnerability in that. And thats my experience and Im not
sure he needs to know what my experience is, Im not sure if I want to give
that to him. Sigh And then when I think about just keeping this internal
dialogue for me it is really empowering.
T: Ok, Im interrupting you for a moment. Capacity to assist role-play client in
modulating arousal so that focus stays embodied & associated to self &
therapeutic themes.
C: Yes, please!
T: So, when your saying you you were talking about Kyle, that would be
your voice talking to Kyle. You walked all over me!, am I getting that right?
Ability to use a broad range of interventions appropriately (intensify)
C: Yeah, he, yeah.
T: Ok, so, this is you. Touching opposite cushion
C: Ok.
T: So, when you say you Im just confused cause youre talking to this part
gesturing to other cushion again.
C: Oh, gotcha, ok, ok.
T: And, and Im sensing some ambivalence in this voice, already. So lets try
to really, just um, just explore only the voicing part.

Transcription

C: Can you give me an example of how it would sound?

T: Yeah, yeah. So what Im hearing is (and were again talking to this part).
Uh, I feel empowered but also fearful to speak my truth, however, its a very
powerful truth Am I getting this correct?
C: Ummhmm.
T: You know you let yourself be walked over, right?
C: Umm hmmm.
T: So, I let myself be walked over to be loved, and you know he needs to
know this!
C: Ok.
T: So youre just bringing outbring it out to its fullest potential. Ability to
use a broad range of interventions appropriately (intensify)
C: Ok, okummtrying to think about what Ive said giggles Let me jump
back in
T: Yeah, no problem. Just embody again. And really again just feel what it
would feel like to really want to go talk to him, to share that.
C: Ok.
T: Tell her why its important to tell him.
C: I feel that its important to tell my truth. To take a stand, to be seen, to be
heard, to be validated in my experience, to be respected. Because I
disrespected myself, and, I respect myself, and I never want this pattern to
be in my life again. This is the end of that pattern. Its like, its done. And, me
recognizing that is huge. That I will never betray myself in search of love,
ever again.
Pause of silence
T: Okso Im sensing this is really powerful, this movement does
movement done. Respect yourself, the patterns done repeats movement.
Ability to listen and descriptively reflect back non-verbal expressions and
themes.
C: Ummhmm.
T: Lets go ahead and do that again. Ability to use a broad range of
interventions appropriately (repeat)
Repeating movement together
T: I respect myself, and that patterns done.
Repeat movement again
T: And why is it important he knows that?
Pause of silence
C: I almost dont even feel that its that important for him to verbally know
that, as much as it is an energetic thing. That Ive taken this stance in
myself, and its very very obvious, and whether I verbalize it or not, he
knows, that its done.
T: Ok, so this seems like a great time to come over here motion to other
cushion
Client switching seats
T: So were gonna shake off that character.
Laughing and shaking bodies

Transcription

10

T: So now we are the voice that doesnt need to tell him. And I hear it coming
through a lot in this cushion already motioning to first voice cushion, like
he already knows.
C: Mmmhmmm.
T: So here we are, lets embody what it would feel like to say nothing to him
ever. I dont need that.
Client and therapist close eyes and settle in new cushions
T: I want you to go ahead and really feel this character. Go ahead and tell her
why its not necessary
C: I feel so light in this seat. I feel so powerful in this seat, I feel so far above
the degradation that I put myself through. I feel so far above the disrespect. I
feel so lifted up here. I feel like, Oh my god Ive done so much work. To
honor me, and not give my energy in all these verbs and language but to just
whooh, stand in myself. I am on my path, and whats done is doen. And Im s
firmly rooted that, that it just radiates from me. Its just so incredible. And
how free I can be, and how courageous I can be to be silent. Like thiers so
much courage in that cause I m not holding on. Im not continuing to attach
to this really unhealthy pattern of Kyle. Im cutting the chord in silence.
T: So, lightness. Feeling light, lifted, powerful. And I saw you use both hands?
Centered, grounded rooted. Is this what you were doing with your fists?
C: Yeah.
T: Youve done so much work, done giving, and hethat would just continue
the pattern.
C: Yeah, it feels like side wants to say the stronger your boundaries the more
free I can actually be.
T: Thats powerful
C: The more rooted I am the more whoo whoo I can be. The more freedom I
have to become me. Instead of like needing.
T: This one seems needy a little bit still.
C: Yeah, yeah I think it does. Which I hadnt realized before this.
T: Lets say that again it seems really powerful. The more
Repeating gesture together
C: The more strong in my boundaries, the more free I can actually be.
T: Free Ability to listen and descriptively reflect back non-verbal expressions
and themes.
Repeating gesture
C: Yeah, that feels really right
T: Yeah, lets just breathe into this feeling. Ability to help role-play client
engage with themes in a manner that balances breathing,
moving/expressing, & feeling/sensing.
Sitting in gesture breathing
T: Ok, its time to switch over now
C: Ok. Its funny but I dont even want to go back to that seat laughing
T: Really? Oh wow, well lets just go back one more time to really bring it
home.
Settling in cushions

Transcription

11

T: Ok, so she just told you your needy. Thats a need of yours to speak. Its
buying into that relationship. And she doesnt want that, she doesnt think
you need that. Ability to assist role-play client in finding unconscious
associations to conscious processes.
C: So, would I drop back into that need?
T: Yeah, so lets take a couple of breaths and again lets feel that need to voice
your truth. To let someone know what they did, how youre impacted, that
youre done with them. Ability to help role-play client engage with themes in
a manner that balances breathing, moving/expressing, & feeling/sensing.
Breathing
T: Again, Im gonna ask you why is it important for you to speak your truth to
Kyle. And lets pull up the last little teeny bits that really need that and think
its important. Ability to facilitate role-play client in focusing attention on self
and emerging themes.
C: Because I want to be seen, I want him, I want to be heard. This part of me
on some level doesnt want to cut the bind to him, and so many times in my
life my truth has been stolen from me, taken from me. And I want to really
drive it home, really have it be heard. Like I want him to hear me, also to say
thank you. Theres this deep part of me that wants to say thank you for
teaching me that I will never betray myself in search of love again. And
thats really powerful. Like thank you for being this huge teacher in my life
and to voice that. It would also be very liberating to be done, to say Im
grateful for this lesson, and to bring some closure to the situation. So that if I
was confronted with the physical presence of him I could feel really good
about where I left it. In terms of saying this is what I learned and thank you.
T: So Im hearing it would be better because, ah, it would help him and it
would help you. You want to say thank you for teaching you a lesson. Am I
getting that right? Remind me ehat else
C: That Ive had my truth stolen for me, and yeah.
T: This would be a way to rectify those old situations as well? Ability to assist
role-play client in finding unconscious associations to conscious processes.
C: Mmmhhm
T: And you know whats interesting that I noticed, is that when your in this
seat your sitting very far forward, like a push in your upper torso. And this
movement youre making doing movement almost reminds of this
movement when you were talking about giving doing another movement.
Ability to identify and work with sensation, breath, and movement
expression as expressions of therapeutic themes.
C: Yeah and I had an epiphany too, that, its funny cause I want to talk to him
to say thank you. Which is essentially because I want o make him feel better.
So I want to give to him, which is essentially not even my truth, I want to
make sure hes ok. And thats a light bulb for me its just so funny cause its
just me giving.
T: So you thought it was about you, but it was really about him? Ability to
assist role-play client in finding unconscious associations to conscious
processes.

Transcription

12

C: Its about him; to make sure hes ok.

T: Thats powerful. Capacity to support the role-play client in holding and
caring for emergent material in a compassionate and empathetic manner.
C: Thats powerfulto realize.
T: Lets go ahead and really breathe into thatepiphany. Ability to help roleplay client engage with themes in a manner that balances breathing,
moving/expressing, & feeling/sensing.