What is Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that centers on a holistic view of the individual's experience in their environment. It emphasizes personal responsibility and focuses on the individual's experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship, the environmental and social contexts of a person's life, and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of their overall situation.

Developed by Fritz Perls, Laura Perls, and Paul Goodman in the 1940s-1950s, this therapy integrates the body and mind factors, believing that individuals can only understand themselves in relation to their current circumstances.

Key concepts include:

Here and Now: Concentration on the current experience and awareness, rather than past experiences.

Awareness: Fostering an understanding of oneself and the world around. Unfinished Business: Addressing unresolved issues and emotions.

Contact: Interacting with the environment and others without losing one's individuality.

Gestalt Therapy is experiential, with techniques that may include role-playing, guided fantasy, and confrontation, aimed at increasing self-awareness and self-acceptance. It posits that psychological health stems from awareness, acceptance, and integration of the many aspects of the self.