Inquiry-Based Psychotherapy
(The Work of Byron Katie)

The Work promotes change.

I use Inquiry-Based Psychotherapy as a tool in my clinical practice. This approach, also known as The Work of Byron Katie (or simply The Work), is a method of self-inquiry that helps clients identify and question the thoughts that cause stress, emotional pain, and inner conflict. It is one of the most effective tools for reducing emotional suffering and creating real change from the inside out.

As a Certified Facilitator of The Work, I spent many years facilitating people in workshops, groups, and individual sessions. I saw people experience real relief, not by necessarily changing their circumstances, but by gently questioning the thoughts shaping their experience of those circumstances.

People reported radical changes in their lives – old pain, hurts, and resentments were replaced with compassion, hope, and gratitude.

What is Inquiry-Based Psychotherapy?

Inquiry-Based Psychotherapy is a way of bringing focused, compassionate attention to thoughts that generate stress, pain, and disconnection. It uses four questions and a process called the “turnaround” to explore a thought from different angles.

This isn’t about replacing a negative thought with a positive one. It’s about slowing down and honestly investigating: Is this thought true? And what happens when it’s believed? Just asking those questions often loosens the belief’s grip, and a more balanced or compassionate view emerges.

Here’s a simple, powerful example.

Consider someone who is feeling hurt and angry after an argument and is caught in the thought:
“He is disrespecting me.” This thought feels justified. It’s tied to tone of voice, a dismissive look, or past patterns. In Inquiry-Based Psychotherapy, we slow the process down and gently explore what’s happening internally.

First, is it true? → “Yes. It looks and feels that way.”

Second, can you know that it’s true? → “Not completely. Maybe he was frustrated. Perhaps it wasn’t about me. Maybe I’m interpreting it through past wounds.”

Third, how do you react when you believe the thought “He is disrespecting me? → “I shut down. My body tightens. Anger builds. I rehearse comebacks or plan to withdraw. I feel unsafe and want to fight back.”

Fourth, who would they be without that thought? → “I am more open, less reactive, and more able to listen than prepare to defend. I am more curious about what they said and more capable of addressing the situation thoughtfully. There is more room for connection and clear boundaries. I understand their point of view better.”

Then come the turnarounds.

• Turnaround to the Other: “I am disrespecting him.” I am not listening to him. I am plotting how to get back at him. I withdraw and give the silent treatment.” 
• Turnaround to the Opposite: “He is not disrespecting me.” He trusted me enough to express his hurt. He didn’t call me any names. He was honest with me.”
• Turnaround to the Self: “I am disrespecting myself.” I took his tone and told a whole story about how he disrespected me and was fed up with me. I make myself fragile when I take the stance of poor me, I am being disrespected. When I look for a way to get back at him, I deny my deeper desire for connection with him.” 

These turnarounds are not mental gymnastics. They’re invitations to look again. Often, new insights emerge – not because someone told us to think differently but because the mind was given space to see differently.

The Work is an effective therapeutic tool.

I use this form of inquiry as one of several tools in my work. It can be invaluable for addressing anxiety, shame, self-criticism, relationship patterns, grief, and the deeper beliefs we carry about ourselves and others.

This process offers a way out of a mind caught in pain. In my experience, I can’t simply drop a stressful thought, but when I inquire into it, the thought lets go of me. Again and again, I’ve seen this happen not just for myself, but for the people I’ve worked with.

Inquiry takes us to a place the thinking mind can’t reach. If we could have thought peace, we would have done it already. The Work doesn’t layer positive thinking on top of painful beliefs – it gently undoes the beliefs themselves. What remains is greater freedom, peace, and compassion.

Because it’s experiential, Inquiry-Based Psychotherapy meets each person exactly where they are. There’s no pressure to change thoughts or beliefs – just an invitation to explore them, slowly and kindly.

Why do I use it?

I continue using this method in counseling because it brings insight, relief, and unexpected peace.

Stressful thoughts don’t have to be fought or repressed. Instead, they can be met with inquiry, and often, they lose their power simply through being seen clearly.

If you’re interested in working with me using this approach or curious about how it might support your goals in therapy, I’d be glad to explore it with you.

Contact me for more information about The Work.