As stated in Encyclopedia Britannica, “Gestalt therapy is a humanistic method of psychotherapy that takes a holistic approach to human experience by stressing individual responsibility and awareness of present psychological and physical needs (Gestalt Therapy). Gestalt therapy was first introduced by Frederick, Fritz, and Laura Perls in 1940. Gestalt therapy teaches people to become aware of situations in them and to respond to those situations fully and reasonably (Gestalt Therapy). Frederick, Fritz, and Laura Perls were the founders of gestalt therapy. They first introduced gestalt therapy in 1940. Fritz was strongly influenced by many psychoanalysts. He did not agree with much of Freud’s work which is what led him …show more content…
Gestalt therapy began as a research endeavor and as a movement against the established assumptions of psychology at the beginning of the twentieth century (Schulz, 2013). Laura Wagner-Moore stated, “Gestalt therapy assumes that an organism ultimately knows what is best for its self-regulation and actualization” (Wagner-Moore, 2004). In Gestalt therapy the client learns to fully use their internal and external senses to become self-responsive and self-supportive. Gestalt therapy focuses more on what is happening now rather than what could be, should be, might be, or what was (Yontef, 1993). The gestalt therapist engages the patient in dialogue rather than trying to manipulate the patient toward some therapeutic goal and embodies authenticity and responsibility in that dialogue (Yontef, 1993). Gestalt therapy helps the client to recognize that they are responsible for their own actions instead of blaming some external force or person. Many of the awareness techniques used in gestalt therapy came from came from various aspects of Eastern thinking such as Taoism and Zen-Buddhism (Wulf, 1996). A popular exercise used in gestalt therapy is the empty chair. The empty chair is a therapeutic technique in which the client is seated facing an empty chair and is instructed to picture themselves, parts of themselves, or someone else in that chair and speak as though that person were sitting in that chair in front of them. The empty chair technique has been found to be superior to empathetic responding for increasing shifts in awareness (Wagner-Moore, 2004). Gestalt therapy differs from other types of therapy due to the fact that when using other types of therapy
Gestalt therapy is an experiential and humanistic form of therapy that embraces awareness, freedom and self-direction. Gestalt therapy focus on the “here and now” and allow clients to be more self-aware and to accept their feelings in order to ease distress. Gestalt theory maintains that wellness encompasses taking responsibility for one’s self and being connected to others.
A severe economic depression, as well as the beginning of psychology as a social science, marked the 1890’s. Paranoia is known to be a thought process, heavily influenced by anxiety or fear, often to the point of irrationality and delusion. Paranoid beliefs can also be associated with the feelings of powerlessness and victimization. When Christian von Ehrenfels founded gestalt psychology, William James also published “Principles of Psychology”, which introduces readers to four methods of psychology: analysis, introspection, experiment, and statistical studies. This period experienced a tremendous amount of growth within the scientific studies of the psychological mind, and can be known as the experimental stage of social sciences.
Many gestalt therapists are against assessments or favor a gestalt version of an assessment (Brownell, 2010). Despite the lack of general assessments for gestalt therapy, therapists focus on four concepts during treatment: phenomenological method, dialogical relationship, field-theoretical strategies, and experimental freedom. Phenomenological method is used to bring awareness to the client. The therapist observes the client’s actions, such as if they choose to roll their eyes. He or she will describe these details out loud and treats each action with equal value. The dialogical relationship is where the therapist is honest and upfront with the client, instead of taking on a persona. The therapist also accepts however the client chooses to portray themselves. Field theoretical strategies enable the therapist to interpret a person’s character as dynamic rather than static. Lastly, experimental freedom is the concept that gestalt therapy is more than just talk. The therapist can experiment and try something new with the client as the therapy persists (RGI, 2013).
Gestalt psychotherapy recognizes that no one can be purely objective including therapists whose experiences and perspectives are also influenced by their own contexts and counselors accept the validity and truth of their client’s experiences. Gestalt therapy also recognizes that forcing a person to change can result in further distress and irritation, rather than changing results from acceptance of what is. Therapy sessions focus on helping people learn to become more self-aware and to accept and trust in their feelings and experiences to alleviate
People with depression often experience interpersonal problems. Family therapy for depression is a widely used intervention, but it is unclear whether this is an effective therapy for the treatment of depression.
The rapport and friendship built throughout this movie is vital to the success of the therapy exhibited here. This is a great example of Gestalt therapeutic approach and helps to identify most of the techniques incorporated. The techniques and ways of gently confronting but pushing a client all the way through are very beneficial to each viewer of this film.
The main goal (though this theory is not as goal-oriented as some other theories) of this theory is to expand a client’s awareness of their here and now. The attempt is to get the client to become more aware of what they are thinking, feeling, and doing. A big saying that is often said when thinking of gestalt therapy is that people are always
It is inevitable that in psychotherapy there are numerous theories. Theories arise out of scholarly investigations of ideas on human behavior. Human behavior is an extraordinarily interesting subject and therefore produces a plethora of ideas from a variety of theorists. These theorists are influenced by their education, culture, and time period. One influential theorist is Carl Rogers. His contributions to human behavior have changed many of the theories that preceded him, and his theory contributed to many theories that followed.
Gestalt therapy is a type of therapy used to deepen our awareness of ourselves. According to O’Connor and Braverman, (2009) “Gestalt" implies wholeness. “Gestalt therapy is a process-oriented, experiential therapy that is concerned with the integrated functioning of all aspects of the person: senses, body, emotions and intellect.”
“Integration is a method of utilising more than one theory in the belief that by combining or integrating these theories the chance of a successful outcome for the client is increased.”
I think the major technique is focusing on the person and not the problem which would help the client to achieve independence and allow the client to cope with current and future problem they may face. Another major technique is the client determines the course of directions of therapy. Another technique is the person-centered therapy which is a non-directive which allows the client to be the focus of the therapy session without the therapy giving advice.
Gestalt therapy is existential, phenomenological, and process-based approach created on the premise that individuals must be understood in the context of their ongoing relationship with the environment. Awareness, choice and responsibility are the cornerstone of practice (Corey, 2013).
Gestalt psychology was founded by German thinkers Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler and Kurt Koffka. They mainly focused on how people interpret the world around them. The Gestalt perspective formed partially as a response to the structuralism of Wilhelm Wundt, who focused on breaking down mental events and experiences to the smallest elements. Structuralists had failed in explaining the concept of ‘apparent motion’ and ‘illusory contours’.
Psychodynamic psychotherapy was first started by Freud who worked to make this therapy better from 1885 when he began until he passed away in 1939. When Freud first began his first approach to psychoanalytic theory was primarily biological. As years past Freud changed his thoughts and views and it eventually evolved into the therapy it is today. (Borstein,2016)
Gestalt and TA concept have been widely recognized for their role in psychotherapy. In this context, they provide the therapist with a framework which can be used to help their patients overcome mental problems and issues. As result, personal growth and development is likely to be attained. Their significance is illuminated by the fact that both of them encourage the patient’s ‘here and now’ awareness, which is fundamental in personal development (Brenner 2000).