Hal & Sidra Stone

Professional Life
Hal Stone was born in 1927 and graduated from UCLA with a Ph.D. in psychology in 1953. He served in the Navy for four years as a psychologist, and later trained at the C.G. Jung Institute of Los Angeles. He remained there for 14 years, working as an analyst, and resigned in 1974. He is married to Sidra Stone. She was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Barnard with a Bachelor’s degree. She continued her education at the University of Maryland, and received her Ph.D. in 1962. Sidra Stone worked in the mental health field in public service, as well as privately as a psychotherapist. She was involved with the Veteran’s Administration and adolescent treatment centers at different points in her career.
   
Contribution to Psychology
The Stones developed Voice Dialogue based on their theory of the Psychology of Selves. This theory describes how each self relates to the others in relationships, both external and internal. The Psychology of Selves states that there are three dimensions to consciousness:

1. Awareness
   
2. Experience of the selves
   
3. Aware ego
   

This psycho-spiritual approach is designed to identify and understand the various selves that reside within each person. By gaining awareness into each of these selves, a person is able to better comprehend how each self influences their behaviors and choices. Voice Dialogue strives to teach people how to break free of living through only one of their inner selves. The Stones have a definite theory on relationships, and the bonding patterns of the relationships, and see the challenges in these dynamics as an opportunity for change and growth.

Energetics is an important component of Voice Dialogue and the Psychology of Selves. It emphasizes that there is unseen field that affects the energy of relationships. A person’s interaction with this field determines the overall direction and events in a person’s relationship with themselves and others. Additionally, the Psychology of Selves focuses on dreams and recognizes them as a source of inner guidance.

When a client participates in Voice Dialogue, they are taught how to pay attention to those selves that are the most positive, and to determine which selves are providing negative results in their lives. With this knowledge, a client can make the conscious decision as to which voices should be enhanced and which should be quieted. Although each voice, each self, serves a necessary function, a client must be able to realize which ones serve them best in order to live a life of balance and harmony.