skip to main content

Empty Chair Technique for Bereavement Guilt — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateBereavementEmpty Chair Technique for Bereavement GuiltSCE Palliative Medicine

A 40‑year‑old woman whose partner died from cancer describes persistent guilt about an argument they had before he became too unwell to communicate. She believes he died ‘angry at her’ and cannot forgive herself. Which psychological intervention is most appropriate to address bereavement‑related guilt and unresolved 'unfinished business'?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: D — Guided imagery with an empty-chair dialogue

The empty‑chair technique is an experiential therapeutic tool rooted in Gestalt and emotion‑focused therapy, explicitly designed to resolve unfinished business and guilt by enabling a symbolic dialogue with the deceased—facilitating emotional closure. It directly addresses the patient’s belief that her partner died angry, allowing her to express regret, seek forgiveness, and achieve emotional resolution. Empirical evidence supports its efficacy in grief and unresolved emotional domains (e.g. systematic review of Chairwork RCTs) ([pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41657825/?fc=None&ff=20260209175805&v=2.18.0.post22+67771e2&utm_source=openai)). Distractors are plausible but deeper flawed: A ignores necessary emotional processing; B targets depression rather than guilt resolution; C replaces psychological work with external absolution; E suppresses rather than integrates guilt, counterproductive in bereavement therapy.

Reference: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/conditions-and-diseases/cancer/palliative-care