IJSP Number 6, 2024

33 his counterpart as a slyly sabotaging "under dog", should be by no means a foregone conclusion. However, critical evaluation does not only consist of identifying errors and deficiencies that should be rectified. It also consists of identifying what has been successful and understanding the conditions that are decisive for success. Here, the difference between the "good inner critic" and the "bad inner critic" is no less pronounced. The "bad inner critic" only recognizes the successful in the form of an unobjective hymn of personal praise and this in an exaggerated measure based on the glory of the person. Wolfgang Metzger, in agreement with the individual psychologists Adler and Künkel, has repeatedly pointed out (mostly - but not only - in connection with child rearing) the damaging effects of this type of "positive criticism" as a de-education of genuine interest in the matter and the natural capacity for objectivity [ cf. 18; 19 ] . This brings up a very important point: These are functions in specific given situations and not a fixed, situation-independent inventory of the person's characteristics or abilities. People do not "have" a good or bad "inner critic", but rather the function of critically accompanying their movement through life comes into play better or worse in certain situations and overall constellations (with other functions). In terms of developmental psychology, Metzger, together with Adler and Künkel, identifies anything that undermines the child's tendency and ability to be objective as particularly unfavorable boundary conditions - this includes constant belittling criticism as well as constant unobjective praise. Other circumstances can come into play in terms of the actually existing situation - for example: an existentially unsettling or frightening situation that puts the ego at the center and thus makes objective critical observation more difficult; or a particularly strong identification of the person with the matter, which tends to make every critical evaluation of the matter always become a critical evaluation of the person at the same time. 5. THE TRIAD IN PRACTICAL APPLICATION With the concept of the Dialogic Triad [ 1 ] , Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy attempts to take the phenomena of "inner speech" into account appropriately in therapeutic practice. As in other areas, the therapist's first task here is to pay attention to what is happening in the client and in themselves, even without active intervention. If, for example, they notice signs in the client that they are controlling their experience and the communication about it with one or other form of "inner speech" (keeping it flowing or inhibiting it), they make the decision as to whether the situation suggests that they actively address this observation. They may then share their observation and, if it resonates, suggest