Current Psychotherapies Chapter 10 Gestalt Therapy Authors: Gary Yontef and Lynne Jacobs Instructor: Jeff Garrett Ph.D.

Founders of Gestalt Therapy Fritz Perls Laura Perls and

Three founders of Gestalt Psychology Max Wertheimer Kurt Koffka Wolfgang Kohler

Max Wertheimer

Kurt Koffka

Wolfgang Kohler

“ Gestalt” is a German word that means “whole” (shape or form). “ Gestalt” - A physical, biological, psychological, or symbolic configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that its properties cannot be derived from a simple summation of its parts.

“ Gestalt” - A physical, biological, psychological, or symbolic configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that its properties cannot be derived from a simple summation of its parts.

Kurt Lewin (1890-1947) adopted a Gestalt approach in developing an innovative field theory which addressed … Child development Industrial management Social Psychology

Child development

Industrial management

Social Psychology

“ Perls’ Gestalt therapy should not be considered a clinical application or the development of Gestalt psychology.” (p.254) History and Systems of Psychology. David Hothersall

“ Perls’ Gestalt therapy should not be considered a clinical application or the development of Gestalt psychology.” (p.254) History and Systems of Psychology. David Hothersall

Comparison of Gestalt Therapy to Other Therapies Most Different Most Similar Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic

Most Different Most Similar

Behavioral Psychoanalytic Humanistic

Comparisons Although similar in some ways to rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and cognitive therapy (CT), a gestalt therapist does not imply that they know the rational way to think

Although similar in some ways to rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and cognitive therapy (CT), a gestalt therapist does not imply that they know the rational way to think

Comparison In contrast to psychoanalysis, Gestalt Therapy emphasized the potential of the here and now

In contrast to psychoanalysis, Gestalt Therapy emphasized the potential of the here and now

History Frederick “Fritz” Salomon Perls Trained as a psychiatrist Worked with Kurt Goldstein, a principal figure of the holistic school of psychology, who studied the effects of brain injuries on WWI veterans Trained in psychoanalysis with Karen Horney and Wilhelm Reich Laura Perls Trained as a psychologist Worked with Gestalt psychologist Max Wethheimer

Frederick “Fritz” Salomon Perls

Trained as a psychiatrist

Worked with Kurt Goldstein, a principal figure of the holistic school of psychology, who studied the effects of brain injuries on WWI veterans

Trained in psychoanalysis with Karen Horney and Wilhelm Reich

Laura Perls

Trained as a psychologist

Worked with Gestalt psychologist Max Wethheimer

History The Perls Because of Nazism the Perls fled Western Europe in 1933 to South Africa, where they practiced until 1945 In 1947 Ego, Hunger and Aggression: A Revision of Psychoanalysis was published in London under F.S. Perls’ name and included text reevaluating the psychoanalytical view on aggression At the end of the war, the Perls emigrated to New York City Collaboration began with artists and intellectuals versed in philosophy, psychology, medicine, and education resulting in elaboration of Gestalt Theory, Gestalt Therapy and Gestalt Therapist In 1951 Julian Press published Gestalt Therapy: Excitement and Growth in the Human Personality by F.S. Perls, Ralph Hefferline, and Paul Goodman.

The Perls

Because of Nazism the Perls fled Western Europe in 1933 to South Africa, where they practiced until 1945

In 1947 Ego, Hunger and Aggression: A Revision of Psychoanalysis was published in London under F.S. Perls’ name and included text reevaluating the psychoanalytical view on aggression

At the end of the war, the Perls emigrated to New York City

Collaboration began with artists and intellectuals versed in philosophy, psychology, medicine, and education resulting in elaboration of Gestalt Theory, Gestalt Therapy and Gestalt Therapist

In 1951 Julian Press published Gestalt Therapy: Excitement and Growth in the Human Personality by F.S. Perls, Ralph Hefferline, and Paul Goodman.

Current Status Gestalt Therapy Institutes internationally Virtually every major city in the U.S. has at least one Gestalt Institute Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy formed to govern adherence to gestalt principles International Gestalt Therapy Association newly formed Four Major Journals International Gestalt Journal British Gestalt Journal Gestalt Review Australian Gestalt Journal

Gestalt Therapy Institutes internationally

Virtually every major city in the U.S. has at least one Gestalt Institute

Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy formed to govern adherence to gestalt principles

International Gestalt Therapy Association newly formed

Four Major Journals

International Gestalt Journal

British Gestalt Journal

Gestalt Review

Australian Gestalt Journal

Some Basic Principles of Gestalt Therapy Theory

Some Basic Principles of Gestalt Therapy Theory

Basic Concepts Focused on process (what is happening) rather than on content (what is being discussed) Gestalt comes from the German word for “whole” Focused on the person’s experience in the here and now Holism and field theory are interrelated in gestalt theory Organismic self-regulation requires knowing and owning

Focused on process (what is happening) rather than on content (what is being discussed)

Gestalt comes from the German word for “whole”

Focused on the person’s experience in the here and now

Holism and field theory are interrelated in gestalt theory

Organismic self-regulation requires knowing and owning

Holism All of nature is seen as a unified whole . The whole is different from the sum of its parts. We can only be understood to the extent that we consider all the dimensions of human functioning. No superior value is place on any one aspect of the individual. Gestalt therapy attends to clients’ thoughts, feelings, behaviors, body, relationships, and dreams.

All of nature is seen as a unified whole . The whole is different from the sum of its parts.

We can only be understood to the extent that we consider all the dimensions of human functioning.

No superior value is place on any one aspect of the individual. Gestalt therapy attends to clients’ thoughts, feelings, behaviors, body, relationships, and dreams.

Field Theory Field - A set of mutually interdependent elements The organism must be seen in its environment (context), as part of the constantly changing field. Everything is relational, in flux, interrelated, and in process. Gestalt therapists pay attention to what is occurring at the boundary between the person and the environment. The purpose of a boundary is to separate and connect us to others Lewin thought of an individual as a complex energy field, a dynamic system of needs and tensions that directs perceptions and actions. Behavior (B) is a function (f) of a person (P) interacting with an environment (E). B = f(P,E)

Field - A set of mutually interdependent elements

The organism must be seen in its environment (context), as part of the constantly changing field.

Everything is relational, in flux, interrelated, and in process.

Gestalt therapists pay attention to what is occurring at the boundary between the person and the environment.

The purpose of a boundary is to separate and connect us to others

Lewin thought of an individual as a complex energy field, a dynamic system of needs and tensions that directs perceptions and actions. Behavior (B) is a function (f) of a person (P) interacting with an environment (E).

B = f(P,E)

Basic Concepts Phenomenological The phenomenological perspective asserts that all reality is subjectively interpreted Objective reality, as defined by a gestalt therapist, is non-existent

Phenomenological

The phenomenological perspective asserts that all reality is subjectively interpreted

Objective reality, as defined by a gestalt therapist, is non-existent

Gestalt (Figure-Ground) Formation “ Insight is a patterning of the perceptual field in such a way that the significant realities are apparent; it is the formation of a gestalt in which the relevant factors fall into place with the respect to the whole” Heidbreder, 1933 Gestalt Theory recognizes that background and forefront change fluidly Patient’s conflicts are regulated to background and are brought to forefront through therapy

“ Insight is a patterning of the perceptual field in such a way that the significant realities are apparent; it is the formation of a gestalt in which the relevant factors fall into place with the respect to the whole” Heidbreder, 1933

Gestalt Theory recognizes that background and forefront change fluidly

Patient’s conflicts are regulated to background and are brought to forefront through therapy

The Figure-Formation Process Describes how the individual organizes the environment from moment to moment. The undifferentiated field is called the background (or ground), and the emerging focus of attention is called the figure. The figure-formation process tracks how some aspect of the environmental field emerges from the background and becomes the focal point of the individual’s attention. The dominant needs of an individual at a given moment influence this process.

Describes how the individual organizes the environment from moment to moment.

The undifferentiated field is called the background (or ground), and the emerging focus of attention is called the figure.

The figure-formation process tracks how some aspect of the environmental field emerges from the background and becomes the focal point of the individual’s attention.

The dominant needs of an individual at a given moment influence this process.

Basic Concepts Holism - The idea that individuals are growth oriented, self-regulating and only understandable within the context of their environment

Holism - The idea that individuals are growth oriented, self-regulating and only understandable within the context of their environment

Basic Concepts Gestalt Therapy is best considered as a form of existential therapy The focus is on the … what and how of behavior (not why ). here-and-now. integrating fragmented parts of the personality. unfinished business from the past.

Gestalt Therapy is best considered as a form of existential therapy

The focus is on the …

what and how of behavior (not why ).

here-and-now.

integrating fragmented parts of the

personality.

unfinished business from the past.

Basic Concepts Disturbances at the Boundaries - Experiences that are blocked creates isolation Creative Adjustment Creative balance between changing the environment and adjusting to current conditions According to Gestalt therapy psychological adjustment requires an awareness of our need states Achieving a balance between individual needs and the environment reflects creative adjustment Maturity Good gestalt describes a perceptual field organized with clarity and good form Results from creative adjustment

Disturbances at the Boundaries -

Experiences that are blocked creates isolation

Creative Adjustment

Creative balance between changing the environment and adjusting to current conditions

According to Gestalt therapy psychological adjustment requires an awareness of our need states

Achieving a balance between individual needs and the environment reflects creative adjustment

Maturity

Good gestalt describes a perceptual field organized with clarity and good form

Results from creative adjustment

Basic Concepts Disrupted Personality Functioning Mental illness is the inability to form clear figures in the moment Polarities Maladjustment occurs when polarities become rigid and are seen in dichotomies Positive mental health is seen as the ability for an individual to shift between figure and ground, in other words to be able to deal with competing concepts like life and death which are considered polarities Resistance Gestalt Therapists see resistance as the process of opposing the formation of a threatening figure A gestalt therapist would view resistance as an attempt to maintain psychological integrity

Disrupted Personality Functioning

Mental illness is the inability to form clear figures in the moment

Polarities

Maladjustment occurs when polarities become rigid and are seen in dichotomies

Positive mental health is seen as the ability for an individual to shift between figure and ground, in other words to be able to deal with competing concepts like life and death which are considered polarities

Resistance

Gestalt Therapists see resistance as the process of opposing the formation of a threatening figure

A gestalt therapist would view resistance as an attempt to maintain psychological integrity

The impasse is the point in therapy at which clients: avoid experiencing threatening feelings. experience a sense of "being stuck.“ imagine something terrible will happen. When a client remains stuck in nonfunctional ways of thinking and behaving, a gestalt therapist would say the client is experiencing impasse

avoid experiencing threatening feelings.

experience a sense of "being stuck.“

imagine something terrible will happen.

When a client remains stuck in nonfunctional ways of thinking and behaving, a gestalt therapist would say the client is experiencing impasse

Basic Concepts People are inclined to towards growth and self regulation Conditions can impede growth People define themselves in relation to others

People are inclined to towards growth and self regulation

Conditions can impede growth

People define themselves in relation to others

Basic Concepts The essential nature of the individual’s relationship with the environment is interdependence , not independence. Individuals have the capacity to self-regulate in their environment Individuals can reown the parts of themselves they have disowned .

The essential nature of the individual’s relationship with the environment is interdependence , not independence.

Individuals have the capacity to self-regulate in their environment

Individuals can reown the parts of themselves they have disowned .

Basic Concepts View of human nature is rooted in - existential philosophy - phenomenology - field theory

View of human nature is rooted in

- existential philosophy

- phenomenology

- field theory

Gestalt Therapy’s Theory of Personality Organismic Self-regulation “ There is only one thing that should control: the situation … If you understand the situation you are in and let the situation you are in control actions, then you learn to cope with life.” Fritz Perls

Organismic Self-regulation

“ There is only one thing that should control: the situation … If you understand the situation you are in and let the situation you are in control actions, then you learn to cope with life.” Fritz Perls

Gestalt Therapy’s Theory of Personality Human regulation is either Organismic Acknowledgement of what is Choosing and learning happen holistically A natural integration of mind and body Shouldistic What one thinks should or should not be Cognition reigns

Human regulation is either

Organismic

Acknowledgement of what is

Choosing and learning happen holistically

A natural integration of mind and body

Shouldistic

What one thinks should or should not be

Cognition reigns

Gestalt Therapy’s Theory of Personality Consciousness and Unconsciousness View is radically different from Freudian view In gestalt therapy, the concept of unconscious is replaced by the concepts of awareness and unawareness Concepts of awareness and unawareness replace the unconscious

Consciousness and Unconsciousness

View is radically different from Freudian view

In gestalt therapy, the concept of unconscious is replaced by the concepts of awareness and unawareness

Concepts of awareness and unawareness replace the unconscious

Gestalt Therapy Goal is for the client to have increased awareness of what they do, how they do it and how they can change or accept themselves

Goal is for the client to have increased awareness of what they do, how they do it and how they can change or accept themselves

The Figure-Formation Process The figure-formation process tracks how some aspect of the environmental field emerges from the background and becomes the focal point of the individual’s attention. The dominant needs of an individual at a given moment influence this process.

The figure-formation process tracks how some aspect of the environmental field emerges from the background and becomes the focal point of the individual’s attention.

The dominant needs of an individual at a given moment influence this process.

The Now Initial goal is for clients to gain awareness of what they are experiencing and doing now Promotes direct experiencing rather than the abstractness of talking about situations Therapist directs clients to “bring the fantasy here” Rather than talk about a childhood trauma the client is encouraged to become the hurt child

Initial goal is for clients to gain awareness of what they are experiencing and doing now

Promotes direct experiencing rather than the abstractness of talking about situations

Therapist directs clients to “bring the fantasy here”

Rather than talk about a childhood trauma the client is encouraged to become the hurt child

The Now Ask “what” and “how” instead of “why” Our “power is in the present” Nothing exists except the “now” The past is gone and the future has not yet arrived For many people, the power of the present is lost They may focus on their past mistakes or engage in endless resolutions and plans for the future

Ask “what” and “how” instead of “why”

Our “power is in the present”

Nothing exists except the “now”

The past is gone and the future has not yet arrived

For many people, the power of the present is lost

They may focus on their past mistakes or engage in endless resolutions and plans for the future

Unfinished Business Feelings about the past are unexpressed These feelings are associated with distinct memories and fantasies Feelings not fully experienced linger in the background and interfere with effective contact Pay attention on the bodily experience because if feelings are unexpressed they tend to result in physical symptom Result: Preoccupation, compulsive behavior, oppressive energy and self-defeating behavior Solution: get in touch with the stuck point (impasse).

Feelings about the past are unexpressed

These feelings are associated with distinct memories and fantasies

Feelings not fully experienced linger in the background and interfere with effective contact

Pay attention on the bodily experience because if feelings are unexpressed they tend to result in physical symptom

Result:

Preoccupation, compulsive behavior, oppressive energy and self-defeating behavior

Solution: get in touch with the stuck point (impasse).

Contact and Resistances to Contact CONTACT – The gestalt term describing an individual's ability to focus on the here and now Interacting with nature and with other people without losing one’s individuality Contact (connect) and Withdrawal (separate) RESISTANCE TO CONTACT – the defenses we develop to prevent us from experiencing the present fully Five major channels of resistance: Introjection • Deflection Projection • Confluence Retroflection

CONTACT – The gestalt term describing an individual's ability to focus on the here and now

Interacting with nature and with other people without losing one’s individuality

Contact (connect) and Withdrawal (separate)

RESISTANCE TO CONTACT – the defenses we develop to prevent us from experiencing the present fully

Five major channels of resistance:

Introjection • Deflection

Projection • Confluence

Retroflection

Contact and Resistances to Contact Introjection : uncritically accept others’ belief and standards without thinking whether they are congruent with who we are Projection : the reverse of introjection; we disown certain aspect of ourselves by assigning them to the environment Retroflection : turning back to ourselves what we would like to do to someone else Directing aggression inward that we are fearful to directing toward others.

Introjection : uncritically accept others’ belief and standards without thinking whether they are congruent with who we are

Projection : the reverse of introjection; we disown certain aspect of ourselves by assigning them to the environment

Retroflection : turning back to ourselves what we would like to do to someone else

Directing aggression inward that we are fearful to directing toward others.

Contact and Resistances to Contact Deflection : The process of distraction, or fleeting awareness that makes it difficult to maintain sustained contact. A way of avoiding contact and awareness by being vague or indirect. e.g., overuse of humor Confluence : less differentiation between the self and the environment. e.g., a need to be accepted---to stay safe by going along with other and not expressing one’s true feeling and opinions. e.g., A parent and a child become so enmeshed that the child can no longer experience a sense of separate identity. Clients are encouraged to become increasingly aware of their dominant style of blocking contact

Deflection : The process of distraction, or fleeting awareness that makes it difficult to maintain sustained contact. A way of avoiding contact and awareness by being vague or indirect.

e.g., overuse of humor

Confluence : less differentiation between the self and the environment.

e.g., a need to be accepted---to stay safe by going along with other and not expressing one’s true feeling and opinions.

e.g., A parent and a child become so enmeshed that the child can no longer experience a sense of separate identity.

Clients are encouraged to become increasingly aware of their dominant style of blocking contact

Energy and blocks to energy Pay attention to where energy is located , how it is used, and how it can be blocked Blocked energy (resistance): Tension some part of the body; numbing feelings, looking away from people when speaking, speaking with a restricted voice Recognize how their resistance is being expressed in their body Exaggerate their tension and tightness in order to discover themselves

Pay attention to where energy is located , how it is used, and how it can be blocked

Blocked energy (resistance):

Tension some part of the body; numbing feelings, looking away from people when speaking, speaking with a restricted voice

Recognize how their resistance is being expressed in their body

Exaggerate their tension and tightness in order to discover themselves

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt psychotherapy is focused on process rather than on content

Gestalt psychotherapy is focused on process rather than on content

Gestalt Psychotherapy Main Gestalt Therapy Principles Awareness Direct experience Contact Relationship Experimentation Phenomenological focusing

Main Gestalt Therapy Principles

Awareness

Direct experience

Contact

Relationship

Experimentation

Phenomenological focusing

Four Dialogue Characteristics 1. Inclusion Putting oneself as fully as possible into the experience of the other without judging , analyzing or interpreting while simultaneously retaining a sense of one’s separate, autonomous presence Represents phenomenological trust in immediate experience Provides a safe environment and strengthens the client’s self-awareness

1. Inclusion

Putting oneself as fully as possible into the experience of the other without judging , analyzing or interpreting while simultaneously retaining a sense of one’s separate, autonomous presence

Represents phenomenological trust in immediate experience

Provides a safe environment and strengthens the client’s self-awareness

Four Dialogue Characteristics 2. Presence The Gestalt Therapist expresses their observations, preferences, feelings, personal experience and thoughts to the client Therapist is modeling phenomenological reporting Enhances client’s trust and use of immediate experience to raise awareness

2. Presence

The Gestalt Therapist expresses their observations, preferences, feelings, personal experience and thoughts to the client

Therapist is modeling phenomenological reporting

Enhances client’s trust and use of immediate experience to raise awareness

Four Dialogue Characteristics 3. Commitment to dialogue Contact refers to something that happens in an interaction Therapist allows contact to happen rather than making contact happen

3. Commitment to dialogue

Contact refers to something that happens in an interaction

Therapist allows contact to happen rather than making contact happen

Four Dialogue Characteristics 4. Dialogue is lived Dialogue is something done “ Lived” emphasizes the excitement/immediacy of the process Mode of dialogue can vary. Examples might include dance, song, art, words, movement

4. Dialogue is lived

Dialogue is something done

“ Lived” emphasizes the excitement/immediacy of the process

Mode of dialogue can vary. Examples might include dance, song, art, words, movement

Techniques

The Gestalt therapist pays attention to the client's nonverbal language.

The Gestalt therapist pays attention to the client's nonverbal language.

Main Tools of Gestalt Therapy Awareness Being in touch with one’s existence, with what is Gestalt Therapy focuses on creation of an awareness continuum where what is of primary concern and interest to the organism, the relationship, the group or society becomes the gestalt and into the foreground Primary concerns are fully faced, worked through, sorted out, changed, or eliminated As one becomes aware of and faces concerns they can become the background which leaves the foreground free for the next primary gestalt

Awareness

Being in touch with one’s existence, with what is

Gestalt Therapy focuses on creation of an awareness continuum where what is of primary concern and interest to the organism, the relationship, the group or society becomes the gestalt and into the foreground

Primary concerns are fully faced, worked through, sorted out, changed, or eliminated

As one becomes aware of and faces concerns they can become the background which leaves the foreground free for the next primary gestalt

Main Tools of Gestalt Therapy Stay with it Therapist encourages client to follow a report of awareness with the instruction: “Stay with it” or “Feel it out” Enactment Therapist asks the client to act out feelings or thoughts to increase awareness Gestalt therapy's empty chair technique, in which a patient is encouraged to express feelings to others or themselves in a symbolic manner enactment Exaggeration A special form of enactment where the therapist asks the client to exaggerate some feeling, thought, or movement to feel it more intensely

Stay with it

Therapist encourages client to follow a report of awareness with the instruction: “Stay with it” or “Feel it out”

Enactment

Therapist asks the client to act out feelings or thoughts to increase awareness

Gestalt therapy's empty chair technique, in which a patient is encouraged to express feelings to others or themselves in a symbolic manner enactment

Exaggeration

A special form of enactment where the therapist asks the client to exaggerate some feeling, thought, or movement to feel it more intensely

Main Tools of Gestalt Therapy Loosening and Integrating Therapist asks the client to imagine the opposite of whatever is believed to be true Integrating techniques bring together processes – the client keeps alert Examples might include asking a client to put words to crying; identifying where in the body one feels an emotion; Or asking a client to express positive and negative feelings about the same person Guided Fantasy Therapist encourages visualizing rather than enacting

Loosening and Integrating

Therapist asks the client to imagine the opposite of whatever is believed to be true

Integrating techniques bring together processes – the client keeps alert

Examples might include asking a client to put words to crying; identifying where in the body one feels an emotion; Or asking a client to express positive and negative feelings about the same person

Guided Fantasy

Therapist encourages visualizing rather than enacting

Main Tools of Gestalt Therapy Body Techniques Therapist provides ideas about how the client can increase awareness of their body functioning Examples would be teaching the client breathing exercises or to hold the body in a certain posture while feeling a certain emotion Therapist Disclosures Therapist uses “I” statements judiciously to enhance therapeutic contact and the client’s awareness Requires wisdom to know when to self disclose Therapists may share what they are experiencing in their senses or emotions In most types of therapy, the therapist may not reveal considerable amounts of information about themselves. In gestalt therapy, therapist disclosure is considered appropriate if done judiciously

Body Techniques

Therapist provides ideas about how the client can increase awareness of their body functioning

Examples would be teaching the client breathing exercises or to hold the body in a certain posture while feeling a certain emotion

Therapist Disclosures

Therapist uses “I” statements judiciously to enhance therapeutic contact and the client’s awareness

Requires wisdom to know when to self disclose

Therapists may share what they are experiencing in their senses or emotions

In most types of therapy, the therapist may not reveal considerable amounts of information about themselves. In gestalt therapy, therapist disclosure is considered appropriate if done judiciously

Reversal technique A Gestalt technique that is most useful when a person attempts to deny an aspect of his or her personality (such as tenderness)

A Gestalt technique that is most useful when a person attempts to deny an aspect of his or her personality (such as tenderness)

The Gestalt approach to dreams Ask the client to become all parts of his or her own dream. The client interprets and discovers the meaning of the dream for himself or herself.

Ask the client to become all parts of his or her own dream. The client interprets and discovers the meaning of the dream for himself or herself.

Therapeutic Goals The basic goal of Gestalt therapy is attaining awareness , and with it greater choice. Awareness includes knowing the environment, knowing oneself, accepting oneself, and being able to make contact. Stay with their awareness, unfinished business will emerge.

The basic goal of Gestalt therapy is attaining awareness , and with it greater choice.

Awareness includes knowing the environment, knowing oneself, accepting oneself, and being able to make contact.

Stay with their awareness, unfinished business will emerge.

Therapeutic Goals Dialogue b/w client and therapist is stressed. The therapist has no agenda, no desire to get anywhere) The therapist understands that the essential nature of the individuals relationship with the environment is interdependent, not independent. Therapy is a spontaneous ; here and now experience

Dialogue b/w client and therapist is stressed.

The therapist has no agenda, no desire to get anywhere)

The therapist understands that the essential nature of the individuals relationship with the environment is interdependent, not independent.

Therapy is a spontaneous ; here and now experience

Therapist’s function and Role Increase clients’ awareness Pay attention to the present moment Pay attention to clients’ body language, nonverbal language, and inconsistence b/w verbal and nonverbal message (e.g., anger and smile) “ I” message

Increase clients’ awareness

Pay attention to the present moment

Pay attention to clients’ body language, nonverbal language, and inconsistence b/w verbal and nonverbal message (e.g., anger and smile)

“ I” message

Therapist’s function and Role Pay attention to language patterns. Language can both describe and conceal

Pay attention to language patterns.

Language can both describe and conceal

Examples of the aspects of language that Gestalt therapist might focus on. 1. “ It” talk – “it” instead of “I” (depersonalizing language) e.g., “It is difficult to make friends” instead of “I have difficulty making friends” 2. “You” talk – “you” instead of “I” (global and impersonal)

1. “ It” talk – “it” instead of “I” (depersonalizing language) e.g., “It is difficult to make friends” instead of “I have difficulty making friends”

2. “You” talk – “you” instead of “I” (global and impersonal)

Examples of the aspects of language that Gestalt therapist might focus on. 3. Questions - keep the questioner hidden, safe, and unknown. 4. Language that denies power – qualifiers and disclaimers such as “perhaps”, “sort of”, “I guess”, “possibly”, “I suppose” 5. “I can’t ” talk – instead of “I won’t”

3. Questions - keep the questioner hidden, safe, and unknown.

4. Language that denies power – qualifiers and disclaimers such as “perhaps”, “sort of”, “I guess”, “possibly”, “I suppose”

5. “I can’t ” talk – instead of “I won’t”

Examples of the aspects of language that Gestalt therapist might focus on. 6. Listening to metaphors - It’s hard for me to spill my guts - I don’t have a leg to stand on - I feel like a have a hole in my soul - I feel ripped to shreds - I feel like I’ve been put through a meat grinder

6. Listening to metaphors

- It’s hard for me to spill my guts

- I don’t have a leg to stand on

- I feel like a have a hole in my soul

- I feel ripped to shreds

- I feel like I’ve been put through a

meat grinder

Examples of the aspects of language that Gestalt therapist might focus on. 6. Listening to metaphors Seek to translate the meaning of these metaphors into manifest content so that it can be dealt with in therapy. e.g., “What is your experience of being ground meat?” “Who is doing the grinding”

6. Listening to metaphors

Seek to translate the meaning of these metaphors into manifest content so that it can be dealt with in therapy.

e.g., “What is your experience of being ground meat?” “Who is doing the grinding”

Examples of the aspects of language that Gestalt therapist might focus on. 7. Listening to language that uncovers the story (fleshing out the flash). Clients often use language that is elusive yet significant clues to a story that illustrate their life struggles. Clients slide over pregnant phrases but alert therapist can help flesh out their story line.

7. Listening to language that uncovers the story (fleshing out the flash).

Clients often use language that is elusive yet significant clues to a story that illustrate their life struggles. Clients slide over pregnant phrases but alert therapist can help flesh out their story line.

Client’s Experience in Therapy General orientation is dialogue Therapist  no interpretation that explain why they are acting in certain ways. Client  making their own interpretation Three-stage (Polster, 1987) Discovery (increasing awareness) Accommodation (recognizing that they have a choice) Assimilation (influencing their environment)

General orientation is dialogue

Therapist  no interpretation that explain why they are acting in certain ways.

Client  making their own interpretation

Three-stage (Polster, 1987)

Discovery (increasing awareness)

Accommodation (recognizing that they have a choice)

Assimilation (influencing their environment)

Relationship Between Therapist and Client Person-to-person The quality of therapist-client relationship Therapists knowing themselves Therapists share their experience to clients in the here-and-now Therapist  Use of self in therapy

Person-to-person

The quality of therapist-client relationship

Therapists knowing themselves

Therapists share their experience to clients in the here-and-now

Therapist  Use of self in therapy

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The experiential work Use experiential work in therapy to work through the stuck points and get new insights Preparing client for experiential work Get permission from clients Be sensitive to the cultural difference (e.g., Asian cultural value: emotional control). Know when to leave the client alone. Respect resistance

The experiential work

Use experiential work in therapy to work through the stuck points and get new insights

Preparing client for experiential work

Get permission from clients

Be sensitive to the cultural difference (e.g., Asian cultural value: emotional control). Know when to leave the client alone.

Respect resistance

Therapeutic techniques and procedures Increase awareness about the incongruence between mind and body (verbal and nonverbal expression)

Increase awareness about the incongruence between mind and body (verbal and nonverbal expression)

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 1. The internal dialogue exercise – Pay close attention to splits in personality function. Top dog - is righteous, authoritarian, moralistic, demanding, bossy. The critical parent that badgers w/ “shoulds” &“oughts” Underdog – manipulates by playing the role of a victim: defensive, apologetic, helpless, weak, and feigning powerlessness.

1. The internal dialogue exercise – Pay close attention to splits in personality function.

Top dog - is righteous, authoritarian, moralistic, demanding, bossy. The critical parent that badgers w/ “shoulds” &“oughts”

Underdog – manipulates by playing the role of a victim: defensive, apologetic, helpless, weak, and feigning powerlessness.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The top dog demands thus-and-so while the underdog defiantly plays the role of disobedient child. As a result of this struggle for control, the individual becomes fragmented into controller and controlled.

The internal dialogue exercise

The top dog demands thus-and-so while the underdog defiantly plays the role of disobedient child.

As a result of this struggle for control, the individual becomes fragmented into controller and controlled.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The conflict between top dog and underdog is rooted in the mechanism of introjection which involves incorporating aspects of others, usually parents, into one’s ego system.

The internal dialogue exercise

The conflict between top dog and underdog is rooted in the mechanism of introjection which involves incorporating aspects of others, usually parents, into one’s ego system.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise It is essential that clients become aware of toxic introjects that poison the system and prevent personality integration.

The internal dialogue exercise

It is essential that clients become aware of toxic introjects that poison the system and prevent personality integration.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The empty chair – is one way of getting the client to externalize introjects. Use two empty chairs. Ask the client to sit in one chair and be fully the top dog and then shift to the other chair and become the underdog.

The internal dialogue exercise

The empty chair – is one way of getting the client to externalize introjects.

Use two empty chairs. Ask the client to sit in one chair and be fully the top dog and then shift to the other chair and become the underdog.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The empty chair (continued) – as introjects surface the client can experience the conflict more fully. The conflict can be resolved by the clients acceptance and integration of both sides.

The internal dialogue exercise

The empty chair (continued) – as introjects surface the client can experience the conflict more fully. The conflict can be resolved by the clients acceptance and integration of both sides.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The empty chair (continued) – this technique helps clients get in touch with a feeling or a side of themselves that they may be denying.

The internal dialogue exercise

The empty chair (continued) – this technique helps clients get in touch with a feeling or a side of themselves that they may be denying.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The empty chair (continued) – rather than talking about the conflicted feeling, they intensify the feeling and experience it fully. Further, by helping the clients realize that the feeling is a very real part of themselves, the intervention discourages them from disassociating the feeling.

The internal dialogue exercise

The empty chair (continued) – rather than talking about the conflicted feeling, they intensify the feeling and experience it fully. Further, by helping the clients realize that the feeling is a very real part of themselves, the intervention discourages them from disassociating the feeling.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The empty chair (continued) – the goal of this exercise is to promote a higher level of integration between the polarities and conflicts that exist in everyone.

The internal dialogue exercise

The empty chair (continued) – the goal of this exercise is to promote a higher level of integration between the polarities and conflicts that exist in everyone.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures The internal dialogue exercise The empty chair (continued) – the aim is not to ride oneself of certain traits but to learn to accept and live with the polarities.

The internal dialogue exercise

The empty chair (continued) – the aim is not to ride oneself of certain traits but to learn to accept and live with the polarities.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 2. Making the rounds The purpose is to confront, to risk, to disclose the self, to experiment with new behavior, and to grow and change. Is most useful when a person attempts to deny an aspect of his or her personality (such as tenderness)

2. Making the rounds

The purpose is to confront, to risk, to disclose the self, to experiment with new behavior, and to grow and change.

Is most useful when a person attempts to deny an aspect of his or her personality (such as tenderness)

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 2. Making the rounds Example – A group member does not participate. Experiment - Go around to each person and say “What makes it hard for me trust you is……” OR “I’d like to make contact with you but I’m afraid of being rejected [or accepted]”

2. Making the rounds

Example – A group member does not participate. Experiment - Go around to each person and say “What makes it hard for me trust you is……” OR “I’d like to make contact with you but I’m afraid of being rejected [or accepted]”

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 3. Rehearsal exercise Reverse the typical style (e.g., a pessimist is directed to act like an optimist, a critical negative client is directed to act positive) Plunge into the very thing that is fraught with anxiety and make contact with those parts of themselves that have been denied. Goal – e.g., accept positive and negative side. May get stuck when rehearsing silently or internally Share the rehearsals out loud with a therapist

3. Rehearsal exercise

Reverse the typical style (e.g., a pessimist is directed to act like an optimist, a critical negative client is directed to act positive)

Plunge into the very thing that is fraught with anxiety and make contact with those parts of themselves that have been denied.

Goal – e.g., accept positive and negative side.

May get stuck when rehearsing silently or internally

Share the rehearsals out loud with a therapist

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 4. Exaggeration exercise Helps client become aware of the subtle signals and cues they are sending through body language. Exaggerate a gesture or movement repeatedly, which usually intensified the feelings attached to the behavior and makes the inner meaning clearer.

4. Exaggeration exercise

Helps client become aware of the subtle signals and cues they are sending through body language.

Exaggerate a gesture or movement repeatedly, which usually intensified the feelings attached to the behavior and makes the inner meaning clearer.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 4. Exaggeration exercise Movements, postures, and gestures may communicate significant meanings, yet the cues may be incomplete. So the client is asked to exaggerate the movement or gesture repeatedly, which usually intensifies the feeling attached to the behaviors and makes the meaning clearer.

4. Exaggeration exercise

Movements, postures, and gestures may communicate significant meanings, yet the cues may be incomplete. So the client is asked to exaggerate the movement or gesture repeatedly, which usually intensifies the feeling attached to the behaviors and makes the meaning clearer.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 4. Exaggeration exercise e.g., trembling (shaking hands, legs), slouched posture, clenched fists, tight frowning, crossed arms, etc. Then the therapist asks the client to put words to the movements.

4. Exaggeration exercise

e.g., trembling (shaking hands, legs), slouched posture, clenched fists, tight frowning, crossed arms, etc. Then the therapist asks the client to put words to the movements.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 5. Staying with the feeling Clients may want to avoid unpleasant feelings. At key moments when the client attempt to flee from the feeling the therapist may ask the client to stay with the feeling they wish to avoid. Go deeper into the feelings they wish to avoid

5. Staying with the feeling

Clients may want to avoid unpleasant feelings.

At key moments when the client attempt to flee from the feeling the therapist may ask the client to stay with the feeling they wish to avoid.

Go deeper into the feelings they wish to avoid

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 5. Staying with the feeling Facing, confronting, and experiencing feelings not only takes courage but is also a mark of a willingness to endure the pain necessary for unblocking and making way for newer levels of growth.

5. Staying with the feeling

Facing, confronting, and experiencing feelings not only takes courage but is also a mark of a willingness to endure the pain necessary for unblocking and making way for newer levels of growth.

Therapeutic techniques and procedures 6. The Gestalt approach to dream work Not interpret or analyze dreams Bring dream back to life as though they were happening now The dream is acted out in the present to become different parts of the dream Projection: every person or object in the dream represents a projected aspect of the dreamer. Royal road to integration Dreams serve as an excellent way to discover personality No remember-  refuse to face what it is at that time

6. The Gestalt approach to dream work

Not interpret or analyze dreams

Bring dream back to life as though they were happening now

The dream is acted out in the present to become different parts of the dream

Projection: every person or object in the dream represents a projected aspect of the dreamer.

Royal road to integration

Dreams serve as an excellent way to discover personality

No remember-  refuse to face what it is at that time

From a multicultural perspective Contributions Work with clients from their cultural perspectives Limitations Focus on “affect” Asian cultural value: emotional control Prohibiting to directly express the negative feelings to their parents.

Contributions

Work with clients from their cultural perspectives

Limitations

Focus on “affect”

Asian cultural value: emotional control

Prohibiting to directly express the negative feelings to their parents.

A contribution of this therapeutic approach is that it enables intense experiencing to occur quickly. it can be a relatively brief therapy. it stresses doing and experiencing, as opposed to talking about problems.

it enables intense experiencing to occur quickly.

it can be a relatively brief therapy.

it stresses doing and experiencing, as opposed to talking about problems.

Summary and Evaluation Limitations Ineffective therapists may manipulate the clients with powerful experiential work Some people may need psycho-education

Limitations

Ineffective therapists may manipulate the clients with powerful experiential work

Some people may need psycho-education

Gestalt therapy encourages clients to experience feelings intensely. stay in the here-and-now. work through the impasse. pay attention to their own nonverbal messages.

experience feelings intensely.

stay in the here-and-now.

work through the impasse.

pay attention to their own nonverbal messages.

According to Gestalt theory, people use avoidance in order to: keep themselves from facing unfinished business. keep from feeling uncomfortable emotions. keep from having to change.

keep themselves from facing unfinished business.

keep from feeling uncomfortable emotions.

keep from having to change.

In Gestalt therapy, the relationship between client and counselor is seen as A joint venture An existential encounter An I/Thou interaction

A joint venture

An existential encounter

An I/Thou interaction

Limitations of Gestalt Therapy Clients who have been culturally conditioned to be emotionally reserved might not see value in experiential techniques. Clients may be "put off" by a focus on catharsis. Clients may believe that to show one's vulnerability is to be weak.

Clients who have been culturally conditioned to be emotionally reserved might not see value in experiential techniques.

Clients may be "put off" by a focus on catharsis.

Clients may believe that to show one's vulnerability is to be weak.

Application Anxiety Depression Perfection driven Phobic Crisis intervention Groups Couples

Anxiety

Depression

Perfection driven

Phobic

Crisis intervention

Groups

Couples

Application Psychosomatic disorders including migraine, spastic neck and back pain Does not rely heavily on formal diagnostic evaluations and research methodology Gestalt Therapists do not believe that a statistical approach can tell the individual client or therapist what works for him or her All interactions are seen as experiments involving calculated risk taking Caution when attempting to treat psychotic, disorganized, personality disorders, or severe mental illness. Should not be used with these disorders unless a long-term commitment is possible

Psychosomatic disorders including migraine, spastic neck and back pain

Does not rely heavily on formal diagnostic evaluations and research methodology

Gestalt Therapists do not believe that a statistical approach can tell the individual client or therapist what works for him or her

All interactions are seen as experiments involving calculated risk taking

Caution when attempting to treat psychotic, disorganized, personality disorders, or severe mental illness. Should not be used with these disorders unless a long-term commitment is possible