Gestalt Therapy

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Gestalt Therapy
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Themes

• Gestalt
• A whole or completion, or a form that cannot be
  separated into parts without losing its essence
• We are a composite whole made up of interrelated
  parts, (body, emotions, thoughts, etc.) none or
  which can be understood outside the context of
  the whole person
• We are also part of our own environment and
  cannot be understood apart from it

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Themes

• Awareness and experience of the here and now is
  more important than the past or the future (The
  Now)
• Phenomenological inquiry
• Sensory awareness in the present moment
• Individuals have the capacity to self-regulate
  when they are aware of what is happening in and
  around them
• Paradoxical Theory of Change
• We change when we become aware of what we are, as
  opposed to trying to become what we are not
• Contact needs to be made with ourselves, nature,
  and others
• Often requires a period of withdrawal to
  integrate what is learned

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Process

• Gestalt Therapy is not so much verbal as
  experiential it is about doing, not saying

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Process

• Therapeutic Goals
• Move toward increased awareness of themselves
• Gradually assume ownership of their experience
  (as opposed to making others responsible for what
  they are thinking, feeling, and doing)
• Develop skills and acquire values that will allow
  them to satisfy their needs without violating the
  rights of others
• Become more aware of all their senses
• Learn to accept responsibility for what they do,
  including accepting the consequences of their
  actions
• Be able to ask for and get help from others and
  be able to give to others

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Process

• Ask what and how questions instead of why
  (keep things in the present tense)
• What is happening right now?
• What is going on right now?
• What are you experiencing as you sit there
  attempting to talk?
• What is your awareness at this moment?
• How are you experiencing your emotion right now?
• How are you attempting to withdraw at the moment?

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Process

• The past often involves some sort of lack of
  completion or unfinished business
• Talk about the past as if in the present.
• Effects will persist until dealt with
• Often result in some sort of blockage in the body
  resulting in physical sensations or problems
• Leaves debris in our lives and interferes with
  self awareness

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Process

• Spontaneity and Creativity (The Experiment)
• Pays close attention to body language and regular
  language
• Confrontation

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Process

• Experiential Exercises
• Reversal exercise
• Exaggeration
• Dreams
• Use of personal pronouns
• Assuming responsibility
• Staying with the feeling
• Empty chair technique