| Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy is a form of psychotherapy, based on the experiential
ideal of "here and now", and relationships with others
and the world. Drawing on the ideas of humanistic psychology, the
school of Gestalt therapy was co-founded by Fritz Perls, Laura Perls
and Paul Goodman in the 1940s-1950s. It is related to but not identical
to Gestalt psychology and the Gestalt psychology-based Gestalt Theoretical
Psychotherapy of Hans-Juergen Walter.
General description
Based initially on the insights of Gestalt psychology and traditional
psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy has developed as a psycho-therapeutic
model, with a developed theory that combines phenomenological, existential,
dialogical, and field approaches to the process of transformation
and growth, of human beings.
At the centre of Gestalt therapy lies the promotion of "awareness".
The individual is encouraged to become aware of his own feelings
and behaviours, and the patient's effect upon his environment. The
way in which a patient interrupts or seeks to avoid contact with
his environment is considered to be a substantive factor when recovering
from psychological disturbances. By focusing on the patient's awareness
of themselves as part of reality, new insights can be made into
the patient's behaviour, and the patient can engage in self-healing.
Perls takes approaches from diverse psychological and philosophical
disciplines, and integrates them into a therapeutic practice based
on the conception of a total organism (i.e.mind and body as an integrated
whole). The objective of this therapy is, to help the person to
obtain a greater independence (seen as freedom and responsibility)
in their actions, and the ability to face up to the blockages that
prevent them developing naturally.
Principal influences
- Wilhelm Reich's psychoanalytic developments, especially the
concept of coraza caractereológica and its focus on the
body.
- Jacob Moreno's Psychodrama, principally the development of body
experimentation techniques for the resolution of psychological
conflicts
- Max Wertheimer's Gestalt Psychology , which this therapy derives
its name from, influences the application of the concepts about
perception to a broader theory about the necessities of humans,
and the relation of humans with their surroundings.
- Carl Gustav Jung's psychology, particularly the polarities concept
- Some elements from existentialism and Zen Buddhism
Conceptualizing human beings
Although gestalt therapy is fundamentally based on personal experiencing
and the majority of therapist have denied theoretical development
(anti-intellectual orientation), of their expositions for a number
of years; the number of these expositions are sufficient to contextualize
their practises.
The human being seen as a whole
To be human means not being totally disolvable. We can not work
while asserting our humanity without considering our body. In addition,
there is a correspondance to both.(for example, emotional states
are correlated with specific corporal positions).
The tendency towards Self-actualization, therefore, consists of
progressing conscientiously and gradually towards the totality of
each unique individual within context of the totality where he or
she belongs.
Moral injunctions of Gestalt therapy
- Live now, stay in the present.
- Live here, be with the present.
- Stop imagining, experience reality.
- Stop unnecessary thinking.
- Express, rather than manipulating, explaining, justifying, or
judging.
- Give in to unpleasantness do not restrict your awareness.
- Accept no "should" or "ought", other than
your own.
- Take full responsibility for your own actions, feelings and
thoughts.
- Surrender to being who you are right now.
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