THE EMPTY CHAIR - WHAT I NEVER GOT TO SAY
Some conversations stay with us because they never had the chance to happen.
What I Never Got to Say is the first resource in The Empty Chair trauma series. It explores the words, feelings and needs that can remain unspoken after trauma - particularly when it was not safe, possible or developmentally realistic to speak at the time.
This trauma-informed guide introduces empty-chair work gently and explains that the technique is most closely associated with Gestalt therapy. It does not ask readers to forgive, confront or reconnect with anyone. Instead, it creates space to hear their own voice.
Inside the resource:
• preparation and grounding before beginning
• guidance for recognising when to pause or stop
• a structured empty-chair exercise
• prompts for anger, grief, unmet needs and boundaries
• body and nervous-system check-ins
• an option to keep the other chair completely silent
• reflection on what belongs to you and what does not
• an anonymous personal perspective
• a deliberate closing and re-grounding exercise
• a personal message from Maggie
• books, professional reference points and further-support guidance
The exercise can be spoken, written, imagined or adapted. Readers are repeatedly reminded that stopping is a choice and that they do not have to complete the exercise in order for their experience to matter.
This resource is designed for the Trauma section of the Space to Breathe Therapy Support Hub and is educational rather than a substitute for individual therapy or clinical assessment.
