Rock Therapy is a technique that is used with families, couples, and individuals to demonstrate the significant role that emotions play in their lives. The rock technique can help clients become aware of their feelings, own them, and identify the advantages and disadvantages of them by repeatedly dealing with their feelings in relation to the rocks they choose to represent them. Clients acquire an understanding of the function of their emotions, and gain the ability to take charge of their feelings. Processing unresolved emotions and feelings empowers the couple, family, or child to take control of their relationships, and the behaviors associated with them. Clients learn that feelings and emotions can be processed, accepted, and expressed.

Description

How do you use the rock technique? To begin, the clients are assigned the task of identifying and collecting rocks that symbolize their emotions and/or feelings. They are encouraged to find something symbolic in the shape, texture, or color of the rocks that represent to them the emotions or feelings, and bring them to the next session. When they come in for the next session, have them review with you each of their rocks and what they represent. Ask them about the experience of gathering the rocks and any insight or awareness that was gained. Assign clients to make decisions each morning about which rocks to carry with them. There are a multitude of possible applications of this technique. One example of a practical application of the rock technique would be to have the client/s take out their "sad rock," when metaphorically, they choose to give themselves permission to feel sad. This technique can also be used to promote identifying, accepting, and expressing of good feelings. A "happy rock" would serve the same function as the sad one. The rock technique aids in placing the client/s "in check" with their emotions.

The exact nature of the technique will depend on how and why you are using the rock technique, and your theoretical rational. You could use the rocks in a end of therapy ritual, have the rock polished at the completion of therapy, chip away at the rock, paint the rock, frame the rock, etc.

Rationale

Why does the rock technique work? It makes the implicit explicit. Consequently emotions become identifiable. The individual/s efforts and the process of selection requires self reflection that leads to insight. The very act of deciding what feeling/emotion to "carry with them," implies that they do have a choice, and that feelings and emotions can be managed. This can empower clients and give them a sense of control over feelings. The rock technique promotes the ownership and valuing of emotions. This technique can be used to aid in the processing and release of destructive emotions, and help clients understand how emotions influence relationships.

Recommendations for The Rock Technique

For whom is the rock technique recommended? The rock technique is recommended when working with people that may not be aware of, or accepting of their feelings or emotions. With families, this technique can be used with each individual member to identify, accept, and express feelings, and with the family as a whole in promoting communication and validation of feelings within the family unit. The rock technique is an excellent tool for people who have difficulty with abstract concepts. The rock technique works well with individuals who feel driven by emotions or who want to let go of emotional burdens. This technique also works well for persons who wish to expand feelings and/or change behavior patterns in relation to unexpressed feelings.

There are, however, areas where this technique may be contra-indicated. The rock technique may not be effective if used with individuals with little motivation or low levels of creativity. Also, it may not be a good idea to use this with people who have a tendency to throw things. Good professional judgment, as always, is indicated.