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hot seat

-a technique that Perls was particularly fond of, (especially after 1964, during his 'Californian period'), which consists of inciting the client to come and sit on a chair near the therapist (the hot seat), most of the time facing an empty chair - on which s/he can imagine and speak to a particular person, (e.g. his/her father). This seat can also be represented by a cushion.
Credit

Definition excerpted with permission from Ginger, Serge International Glossary of Gestalt Psychotherapy (Seven languages including English. Order from FORGE at 183 rue Lecourbe; 75015 Paris, France) Paperback 1995.