Differential effects of the two-chair experiment and empathic reflections at a conflict marker

The differential effects of a Gestalt counseling operation and empathic reflec-tions of feeling on client depth of experiencing, change in awareness, and goal attainment were studied in a counseling analogue. Using four counselors and 16 subjects as their own controls, each of the operations was applied to each subject to facilitate resolution of personally meaningful conflicts. Results showed that depth of experiencing and change in awareness were significantly higher for the subjects following the Gestalt operation. There was no differ-ence in the level of goal attainment following the two operations. The impli-cations for counseling of the change in depth of experiencing and awareness for the subjects, characterized as focusers and normally self-actualized, are discussed. The use of the Gestalt approach in coun-seling has been the subject of much interest and recent discussion (Corey, 1977; Covens