THEORY IN BRIEF: GESTALT THEORY

 I wrote this post for students and practitioners of psychology/therapy; however, I believe it contains much interesting information for the layperson, especially those interested in psychology and/or philosophy.

NAME OF THEORY:  Gestalt Theory

BASIC PREMISES AND PHILOSOPHY:  Learning occurs incrementally through successive reinforcement.  People become disconnected from their essential selves and require reintegration of them selves into a whole to heal.  Focus in on the present instead of the past.  Emphasizes whimsy and playfulness.  The goal is to heighten awareness and act on what is experienced.  Uses clients’ behaviors to bring about awareness of their creative potential to discover and facilitate their own change.

FOUNDERS OR IMPORTANT CONTRIBUTORS:  Fritz Perls, Latner, Polster, Wheeler, Kurt Lewin, Wolfgang Pohler

COUNSELING GOALS:  To have clients focus on the moment and their personal immediate experience and feelings and integrate this into appropriate action, showing ownership and responsibility.
 



FRITZ PERLS

ROLE OF COUNSELOR:  Demonstrate a high degree of authenticity, creativity, sensitivity.  Be willing to confront clients on their repression and denial. 

ROLE OF CLIENT:  Focus on the present, be open to emotions and immediate experiences, be willing to implement solutions and take personal accountability and responsibility for change and personal behaviors. 

 

USEFUL WITH WHAT POPULATIONS AND TYPES OF PROBLEMS:  Best with clients who are willing to engage in longer-term therapy.  Good with clients who are resistant to self awareness regarding their feelings.  Often used in group therapy.


 

BOOK COVER INDICATING FAMOUS EMPTY CHAIR TECHNIQUE

EXAMPLES OF TECHNIQUES:  Focus on the here and now, unfinished business (focus on resentment and other unexpressed feelings), channels of resistance (focus on defense mechanisms), choice of language indicating ownership, empty chair technique (speak to imaginary person).



CREATIVE EXPERIENTIAL GROUP THERAPY

TERMS:  experiential nature, existential encounter, client awareness, channels of resistance, person-centered, process-oriented, non-verbal behavior, eureka phenomenon/”aha” moments.

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