ABSTRACT
Interviewing the internalized other is particularly useful with bereaved individuals who struggle with guilt or anger or have unfinished business with the deceased that demands answers. The technique of interviewing an internalized other has been described and applied to bereavement work by Moules and draws on a variety of sources including gestalt therapy, narrative therapy and continuing bonds. The clinician generally concludes the interview by asking the internalized other if there are any other questions that it would be important to ask. Throughout the interview, the clinician should continue to use the internalized other's name as this not only keeps the focus on the voice of the internalized other but also serves as a reminder to the clinician. There could be questions that the internalized other is unable to answer at the time, and these can be the focus of subsequent sessions and interventions. Here, the therapist combined a traditional empty chair approach with interviewing the internalized other.
