Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt Therapy

I. Summary and Integration of Major Concepts

Founded by Frederick (Fritz) and Laura Perls in the 1940's, Gestalt therapy is a phenomenological -- existential methodology which emphasizes experience and experimentation. Gestalt is a German term that means a "complete pattern or configuration" (p. 112). Though there are many modalities and styles in Gestalt therapy, it is holistic in its approach uniting mind, body, and feeling (p. 112). Some concepts at the core of Gestalt therapy are "the organism as a whole", emphasis on the "here and now", and "awareness" (pp. 223-225).

Perls believed that "human beings are unified organisms" (p.223) and that mind and body were not separate entities. It was important that to understand the person as a whole, one must consider all dimensions of the person such as physical functioning, thoughts, emotions, culture, etc., in a unified manner. All of these aspects were viable expressions of the individual.

Gestalt therapy also places a great deal of emphasis on the "here and now", however, it does not imply that the past and the future are not important. Past-unfinished business can interfere with a person's current and future existence. For this reason, finishing

unfinished business is a significant aspect of Gestalt therapy (p. 112). It is thought that these unfinished situations will naturally emerge when the person is focused on what is being done, thought, and felt at the moment (p.224). Focusing on the "here and now" allows the individual to be in touch with the self and his/her environment which in turn enables the individual to realize his/her needs (p.224).

Awareness and acknowledgement of experiences are key elements to the ...

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...p the session. I started by recalling how high she had rated her level of tension at the beginning of the session and had her re-rate it at this point. She claimed that her tension had diminished to a 3 and that she felt much better. I ended the session by summarizing the various events and complimenting her on her courage and willingness to explore these difficult issued and her ability to accept them as part of her. She thanked me for helping her through it and then we chatted for a while before I went home.

Because I had worked with Paula previously in Client Centered therapy, we had already developed a rapport and a foundation of trust. She was a far more open and willing participant this time around which made my job much easier. Overall, I felt that the session, which lasted 82 minutes, went very well, and I truly felt that I had helped Paula.