Hi Robert,
That’s a very interesting outcome when she became quiet as you addressed grandfather’s presence in an empty chair. I wonder if more empty chairs might come into the room with more presences. It’s also very interesting that she showed anger and fear when asked to wake up and participate in the world. Even more interesting that in the following session she was cheerful and eager to discuss waking up and what it meant. You have entered a resourceful scene: exploration of waking up. Congrats!
Some ideas: the previous session(s) used empty chairs to address people from the past. Perhaps now they could be used to address people from the future that could include her. Imagine having her watch you do a session with her in the future. You’d be able to reminisce on the time she first watched you have a session in the future. Can you make or get a big “dial” so you could turn it to simulate moving sessions back and forth in time? Sort of like a therapy time machine. I really like that idea. I’d be fascinated to see you mark an area in your office that is your time machine. It would hold two chairs – one you would sit in and the other for her future self. She would sit outside of it and watch you do sessions with her in the future.
Perhaps you could have four hanging cords, even a curtain. I’m not sure how you would theatrically set up a space that is marked as a different zone. But I do like the idea of a dial you can hold onto. Seriously. Take your therapy into the future.
How to get folks well? Have an imaginary ride with H. G. Wells.
I believe that your creative ritual using the book is precisely what you should do when you enter the time machine space. It can serve as a context shifter and an induction for a shift in the action. When you request creativity out loud, perhaps say, “I am asking for creativity from the future. Just like H. G. Wells, our imagination is the source of our creative well and being well.” Do it in front of the client and tell them beforehand that you are trying an experimental method developed in conjunction with a well-known expert on creative therapeutic methods and altered states of consciousness. You can add that it isn’t important whether she understands it.
Totally excellent report about the client who became engaged and you said he “was now engaged with life.” Yes, the goal of all therapy is “full (or enhanced) engagement with life.” Maybe you should have a box filled with toy rings to give to people at the moment you think they are ready to be engaged with life. At such a moment, you could raise your hand and say “Excuse me, I heard, saw, and felt something just now. I think you may be ready to get engaged. I think life is asking you to be engaged with it. Do you accept this engagement proposal?” Talk about it and then pull out an engagement ring. Make sure they know it is life and not you who is proposing!
I have also been thinking about a New Orleans conference. I am sure it will happen in some form.
What to do in general in therapy? Nothing. It’s all in the particular. Maybe that suggests doing something particularly unique for each general session. Why not open the dictionary at random in a session and see what word pops up. Give that word to the client and say it is the word you want to give to them this week. Do this when you feel you the need for a creative boost in a session.
Last three paragraphs are gems. Would that Brad Keeney could take over my alma mater!?!