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Core tools

Chair work

Section from the interactive two-leg model reference: attachment and assertiveness legs, coping modes under stress, and tools that support balance.

Psychoeducation only. Concepts here support self-understanding and conversations with a qualified professional; they are not a clinical diagnosis or mode inventory score.
All sectionsCoping cardMode map

Chair Work

Mode dialogue using physical chairs to represent different modes. Moving between chairs helps access and express different parts of yourself—critic and child, avoidant and adult, or schema and healthy perspective.

CHAIR WORK

Mode Dialogue on Chairs

Dialogue between your inner critic and your vulnerable child.

🪑
Punitive/Demanding Critic
↔️
Move between
🪑
Vulnerable Child

How to do chair work:

  1. Physically place two chairs facing each other (and a third in center if needed)
  2. Sit in one chair and speak as that mode fully
  3. When instructed, physically move to the other chair
  4. Respond from the new mode's perspective
  5. Continue switching as the dialogue unfolds

Dialogue Flow:

1Move to Critic chair: Express the critical voice fully
2Switch to Child chair: Respond with how it feels
3Move to Healthy Adult (center): Intervene with compassion
4Return to Critic: Challenge with adult perspective
5Back to Child: Receive comfort and protection
Chair Work Template — schema therapy mode dialogue technique. Physical movement between chairs helps access different modes. NOT scored from YSQ-R

Official YSQ-3 long/short forms and other schema inventories are copyrighted by the Schema Therapy Institute and sold through their order center. Theory and inventory overview: Schema Therapy Institute. This portal uses a Rasch YSQ-R style implementation for self-reflection—not those licensed forms.