Gestalt therapy

Definition

The name of the method comes from the German gestalt — «form», «structure». The term «gestalt» is understood as a unit of analysis of the psyche and denotes integral, irreducible to the sum of their parts, the formation of consciousness. Gestalt therapy helps to gain a holistic view of oneself and begin to live not in the world of the past and fantasies about the future, but here and now. The method combines elements of the psychoanalytic approach (translating unconscious feelings into consciousness) and the humanistic approach (emphasis on «agreeing with oneself»).

Operating principle

The basic idea is that our perception of the world depends on our experiences and needs. Incomplete situations in the past (gestalts) distort our perception and limit the possibilities of action. The task of the Gestalt therapist is to help the client focus on his state of «here and now». It may show traces of past unresolved problems. Then the therapist helps the client to experience them and complete them in order to move on to the fullest possible perception of the current moment. Practical work goes in three directions.

First, attention to emotional and bodily sensations. Through the technique of «awareness,» the Gestalt therapist teaches the client to pay attention to the continuous flow of his bodily and emotional sensations. Secondly, strengthening healthy contact with yourself and others. Gestalt therapy allows you to determine in what situations and at what stage our so-called «contact cycle» is violated (recognition of the need — the search for satisfaction — satisfaction — the assimilation of the resulting experience). It also helps us understand why we have difficulty communicating and what makes us avoid it. Finally, awareness of your immediate needs allows you to focus on the problems that are relevant to the present moment in time and take responsibility for your condition.

Progress

The Gestalt therapist conducts a conversation with the client, gently setting her in the right direction. Typically, a Gestalt therapy session is built according to the following scheme:

1. Description of the problem: sitting opposite the therapist, the client talks about what worries him at the moment.

2. Work with experience: while the client is talking, the therapist observes his gestures and facial expressions. Then he draws the client’s attention to these manifestations, helping him to become aware of the feelings and desires expressed in them. The therapist may suggest using the “direct address” technique: in this case, the client stops talking about someone in the third person (“He is jealous” or “She is too bossy” …) and addresses him directly, as if he was in the same space. Such communication becomes possible due to the fact that a certain object (for example, a chair or pillow) symbolically represents an absent person. With this technique, the client’s feelings are no longer a story about the past, instead they are experienced and directly expressed in words and actions «here and now».

3. Workout: the client can, with the active assistance of the therapist, come up with and try out new behaviors that are more effective than the old ones. It is also possible to work in Gestalt groups. It actively uses feedback mechanisms: participants tell each other about the feelings that they have at the moment in response to the words and actions of other participants.