Reflections on our journey in Australia

We had an incredible tour in Australia! Launching our Chairwork Psychotherapy Certification Program has been a dream come true, and we could not have predicted the incredible feedback and enthusiasm we would receive. We were just astounded with the amazing skills and hearts of the psychologists we met and spent time with at our stops in Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Sydney.

This adventure taught us so much and highlighted some important lessons. The first being the importance of spaciousness and trust in Chairwork. When it comes down to it, we really do need to trust the process and trust the chairs. This commitment to and trust in the modality allowed us to do very deep and intense clinical demonstrations, and to have a secure direction in the various journeys we went on with the brave demo volunteers. In a field where many clinicians might encourage quick containment and emotional de-escalation, we can make room for emotional intensity and even catharsis because Chairwork and the Four Dialogues can truly handle it all.

We also have a much deeper appreciation for the incredible therapeutic theater element present in all of Chairwork Psychotherapy. The audiences during our demonstrations contributed so much energy with their engaged witnessing and presence. Again, we are grateful to Moreno and the great psychodramatists who have paved the way for us to now share our work with the world.

We want to give a special acknowledgment to the clinicians who attended the CPI certification tour. It was a pleasure and an honor to get to know them and share our work. It is with much appreciation that we give a warm congratulations to these Level 1 Chairwork Psychotherapy certified clinicians! They are the first to earn not only CPI’s Level 1 certification, but also the first in history to complete a Chairwork-centered certification training.

As always, we want to give our appreciation to Dr. Lisa Chantler, Dr. Tracey Hunter, Dr. Rhys-Price Robertson, the International Society for Schema Therapy, the team over at the Australian Psychological Society, and our many other supportive and encouraging colleagues who have helped us share our work in Australia and beyond.  Thank you all so much.

Things will certainly continue to be busy at CPI. Taking the knowledge and lessons we’ve recently gained, we will keep evolving and deepening our practice and understanding of the incredible healing modality known as Chairwork Psychotherapy.