Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt Therapy

What is Gestalt Therapy:  Humanistic therapy technique used that focues on gaining awareness of emotions and behaviors in the present rather than the past.  The therapist does not interpret experiences for the patient but rather the therapist and patient work together to help patient understand him/herself.  ("Gestalt therapy," 2004)

Key Individuals:

Fritz Perls                                                                              

Laura Perls

Ralf Hefferline

Paul Goodman

Max Werthheimer  ("Gestalt therapy," 2004)





The Goal of Gestalt Therapy:  The major goal is self-awareness.  Patients work on uncovering and resolving interpersonal issues during therapy.  ("Gestalt therapy," 2004)

Technique:  Gestalt Therapy works by engaging in dialogue rather than by encouraging or manipulating a patient toward a therapeutic goal.  The contact is done in a caring, warm, and accepting manner.  The therapist says what he/she means and encourages the patient to do the same.  (Yontef, 1993)

Four characteristics of Gestalt dialogue:

1. Inclusion - Putting onself as much as possible without judging or analyzing while still obtaining an autonomous presence.
2. Presence - The therapist expresses him/herself to the patient with discrimination indicating feelings, experiences, preferences, etc.
3. Commitment to dialogue - Allowing contact to happen rather than manipulating it.
4. Dialogue is lived - Dialogue is done, not talked about.  Can be done through dance, song, words, etc.  (Yontef, 1993)     

Risks:  Individuals with severe mental illness may not be good candidates for Gestalt Therapy.

Results:  There is limited scientific documentation regarding the effectiveness of Gestalt Therapy.  For this reason evidence suggests this type of therapy may not be reliably effective.  The approach can be anti-intellectual and discount beliefs and thought patterns

References

Yontef, G. (1993). Gestalt therapy: an introduction.  Retrieved from             

          http://www.gestalt.org/yontef.htm

Gestalt therapt.  (2004).  Retrieved from http://medical-/

          dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Gestalttherapy