Mr. Eastwood is no therapist but maybe he got inspired by this...

[steve2470]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestalt_therapy#The_empty_chair_technique

Empty-chair technique or chairwork is typically used in Gestalt therapy to explore patients' relationships with themselves or other people in their lives. The technique involves the client addressing the empty chair as if another person was in it.[21] They may also move between chairs and act out two or more sides of a discussion, typically involving the patient and persons significant to them. A form of role-playing, the technique focuses on exploration of self and is utilized by therapists to help patients self-adjust.

*end of excerpt*

Is it also an acting/theater thing ?

[silverweb]

1. Sounds like a good theory.

[font color="green" face="Verdana"]I'll bet this is one of the techniques used in "method acting."

[Voice for Peace]

2. very common in all sorts of improv but that's SO right on; conversing with a projection of yourself

'Twas really Invisible Clint in that chair, methinks.

[steve2470]

3. +1 nt

[unc70]

4. Maybe not empty chair. Obama as "The Invisible Man" of Ralph Ellison