‘From a place of vulnerability’: Experiences of Voice Dialogue to explore self‐criticism

Objective/Background Voice Dialogue is a method used to explore and understand different parts of the self. It involves direct communication between a facilitator and aspects of the self to enhance awareness, understanding and differentiation from inner voices. This study aimed to understand how people with low self‐esteem (LSE) experience a Voice‐Dialogue session focusing on self‐criticism (or the ‘self‐critic’). Method Nine individuals from a university setting underwent a single Voice‐Dialogue session that involved direct dialogue with their self‐critic and were subsequently interviewed about their experiences. The interview data were analysed using interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA). Findings Three group experiential themes (GET) were generated: theme 1, ‘transitioning between selves’, highlights the importance of moving between chairs and embodying the self‐critic; theme 2, ‘what makes the critic’, explores insights into the self‐critic's origins and function; and theme 3, ‘a change in relationships’, describes adaptations in participants' self‐to‐self relating. Conclusions The findings suggest the Voice‐Dialogue method, as a stand‐alone intervention, has therapeutic utility in changing clients' relationship with their self‐criticism. The findings are contextualised within broader theory and literature, and clinical implications are discussed.