Archive for category: Gestalt therapy

Gestalt therapy developed in the 1940s and 50s as a reaction against the diagnostic approach of Freudian psychoanalysis which privileged the expertise and insights of the psychoanalyst. Gestalt therapy, in contrast, focuses on what is immediately present, with insights arising from the relationship between client and therapist. The aim of therapy is for the client to sharpen her perceptions of her experiences in their totality (Yontef, & Jacobs, 2000). I examine this and several other key philosophical and theoretical concepts of Gestalt.

Holism

Holism maintains that humans are self-regulating and growth-oriented. Gestalt therapy rejects the idea of dichotomy between the psyche and the body, instead emphasizing that the body, spirituality, language, thought and behaviour are inseparable; the whole being more than the sum of its parts. People have learnt to separate these parts and live fragmented lives. An important objective of Gestalt therapy is to address this fragmentation and so activate livelier and growth-oriented aspects of the client.

Organismic self-regulation

Organismic self-regulation is central to Gestalt therapy theory. A person’s behaviour is regulated by the process of organismic self-regulation by which they regulate themselves according to needs that arise. The environment continually creates new needs, which causes discomfit, until a person can satisfy their needs and grow. As a person develops and her situation changes, she may not be aware of her needs or believe that she can choose her behaviour and may need help to address her situation to restore balance. (Yontef & Jacobs, 2000; Clarkson & Mackewn, 1977).

Phenomenology

The basic principle of phenomenology is that of being in the world here and now. In the therapy room, the therapist’s emphasis is on supporting her client to explore her experience.  The inquiry may move from body sensations and feelings to thoughts, memories, hopes and dreams.  At some point in the therapy session the inquiry moves to meaning making, how the client understands the meaning of events in the environment they find themselves in, at any given moment. Hopes, memories and imaginings are part of the therapy session in the here and now, creating a dynamic process between client and therapist. (Zinker, 1978; Clarkson & Mackewn, 1997).

The therapist and the therapeutic relationship

The therapeutic relationship forms the foundation of effective therapy and is at the heart of the therapeutic process. The relationship between the therapist and the client is a unique and collaborative one.  The therapist regards her client with respect and perceives her in all her uniqueness.  (Clarkson & Mackewn, 1997). At times the therapist needs to relate in a practical way, discussing practical agreements, such as payment and when to meet and at times the client may need practical advice.  At other times the therapist needs to enter the world of her client and be with her and support her with their presence.

Existential Dialogue

Existential Dialogue is an exploration of a person’s experiences and beliefs. The Gestalt therapist explores alternate ways of thinking that value and respect the client’s experiences and what the client comes to believe (Yontef & Jacobs, 2000). The possibility opens up for the client to be authentic and take responsibility as they learn about themselves. With existential dialogue, the therapist shows genuine interest in her client, trusts in the organismic self-regulation of her client and that the client will make choices for action that are right for her, as she assimilates and integrates the work of therapy.

Field

A person cannot be understood apart from their environment. Variables that contribute to shaping a person’s behaviour and experience are present in the current field, and therefore, a person cannot be understood without understanding the field, or context, in which they live. A client’s life story cannot tell the therapist what actually happened in her past, but it can tell them how the client experiences their history in the here and now. The client’s experience of history is shaped by the client’s current field conditions.

Change

The paradoxical theory of change is central to Gestalt methodology. Change takes place when a person invests time and energy to be what she is, rather than focusing on how she would like to be (Beisser, 1970). In the therapy room, the therapist supports the client’s awareness of her own situation during the therapeutic process. She encourages the client, rather than trying to be what she thinks she shoud be, to become aware of her actual sensations and feelings. By giving attention to part of the field that has been out of awareness, there is the possibility for reorganization of the field and the client can choose to change her behaviour.

Experiment

An experiment is a tool for exploring how the client lives in her world, often opening up new information about the client and the possibility for further therapeutic work. Various forms of experiment include focussing on body-based sensations, role-playing, chair work, visualisation, metaphor and dream work, the use of creative media including use of objects in the therapy room and movement (Joyce & Sills, 2010).

Conclusion

Gestalt therapy offers a safe and supportive environment where therapeutic insights are developed through a collaborative process between client and the therapist. This approach respects the client’s unique experiences and perceptions, recognizing that the pace of therapy is guided by the client’s readiness for change. Central to Gestalt therapy is a deep respect for the client’s courage and willingness to engage in the therapeutic journey, ensuring that the therapy space is one of acceptance, empathy, and genuine understanding. The holistic nature of Gestalt therapy, combined with its emphasis on organismic self-regulation and existential dialogue, empowers clients to reconnect with their authentic selves and navigate their paths to growth and healing.

If you would like to know more about Gestalt therapy visit my frequently asked questions page or please feel free to send a message through the contact page.

References

Beisser, A. (1970) The paradoxical theory of change.

Clarkson, P. & Mackewn, J. (1993). Fritz Perls. Sage, London: Sage Press.

Joyce, P. & Sills, C. (2010). Skills in Gestalt Counselling & Psychotherapy. London: Sage Press.

Yontef, G & Jacobs, L. (2000). Gestalt Therapy, in Current Psychotherapies, by Corsini and Wedding.

Zinker, J. (1978). Creative process in Gestalt therapy. Vintage Books: New York.