Differential effects of the Gestalt two-chair intervention and problem solving in resolving decisional conflict

Compared an affective (gestalt 2-chair intervention) and a cognitive-behavioral (problem-solving) counseling intervention used to help clients resolve intrapersonal conflicts related to a decision. 48 16–72 yr olds were randomly assigned to 3 groups: a problem-solving group, a 2-chair group, and a waiting-list control group. Trained counselors saw clients for 2 sessions. Ss were pre- and posttested on measures of indecision and stage of decision making. A 1-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed that the affective intervention was more effective than the cognitive-behavioral intervention or no treatment for reducing indecision. Both counseling approaches were more effective than no treatment in facilitating movement through the stages of decision making. Postsession comments suggested that there were difficulties associated with maintaining a focus on the problem in the cognitive-behavioral treatment and that the 2-chair intervention assisted clients in making broader decisions.