...estalt Therapy Gestalt therapy is a form of psychotherapy that relates to the process of human perception and works on a basic concept of the Gestalt approach «The whole is different from the sum of its parts.» This approach in Gestalt psychotherapy describes the process of perception in addition to the psychic equipment in general. The Gestalt approach originated from research that was initiated by psychologists specializing in human perception which demonstrated that humans do not recognize objects as separate elements and instead organize the objects into significant totalities via the process of perception. The concept of Gestalt psychotherapy was then formally developed by Fritz Perlsduring the 1950s, a well known psychiatrist and psychotherapist that initiated an entirely new approach to psychotherapy. The name «Gestalt» means «form» and is derived from Hans-Jurgen Walter's «Gestalt Theory Psychotherapy» which is based on Gestalt psychology. Gestalt psychology relates to the interconnection of the individual and the increase in awareness where the individual's senses and behaviors merge together. Gestalt therapywas created to help individuals with problem solving. Fritz Perls noticed that the concept of individualism was a positive one but there was also a reverse side to this theory. The people who were looking for the answer to their hopes and dreams looked to Gestalt therapy as the answer which eventually became a weak point in the methodology. He added that for a...
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...unning head: GESTALT PSYCHOLOGY Gestalt Psychology Theory Abstract The formation of the gestalt movement. The founding fathers of gestalt theory, Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, Wolfgang Kohler and their focus in the movement. Gestalt therapy explained by the laws and the theory of personality. How the gestalt theory is in effect today. Gestalt Psychology Theory The three pioneers of the Gestalt Theory, Max Werthmeimer, Wolfgang Kohler and Kurt Koffka. All three focused on different aspects that have continued to develop across multiple disciplines throughout the 2oth Century. Gestalt theory focused on the mind’s perceptive processes (Kearsley, 1998). The word gestalt has no direct translation into English, but “describes a configuration or form that is unified. A gestalt may refer to a figure or object that is different from the sum of its parts. Any attempt to explain the figure by analyzing its parts results in the loss of the figure’s gestalt” (Brennan, 2003). In simpler terms” A way a thing has been ‘placed’, or ‘put together’”; common translation includes “form” and “shape” (Myers, 1998). Zakia, 1997, described gestalt by saying,”…what you experience when you look at a picture is quite different from what you would experience if you were to look at each item that is in the picture separately”. Wertheimer was born in Prague in 1880 (The Columbia Encyclopedia, 2001). He studied at the Universities of Prague, Berlin and Wurzburg, receiving...
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...Introduction Gestalt therapy, which was founded by Fritz and Laura Perls in the 1940s, teaches the therapists and their clients the phenomenological awareness method, where feeling, perceiving and acting are differentiated from interpreting and rearranging the pre-existing attitudes. Gestalt therapists and clients’ dialogue, thus communicating their phenomenological perspectives, and their differences in perceptions form the basis and focus of experimentation and continued dialogue. The desired outcome of the therapy process is for the client to become aware of their actions, how they are acting, and the ways they can change their actions and learn to accept and appreciate themselves. Here, the emphasis is mainly on the process rather than the content of the therapy, that is, what is happening rather than what is being discussed. Gestalt therapy was mainly considered for adults. However, Violet Oaklander (2007) says that it is also suitable to be applied to children since it involves the body and the senses, all of which fit the therapeutic works with the children. The purpose of this paper is to formulate a response in the manner a Gestalt therapist would work with children of ages between 4 and 12. Here, the general and Gestalt literature is explored, synthesized and evaluated on working with this particular population, their specific needs and particular ethical challenges that may emerge while working with them. A comparison is offered on how different modalities with the...
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...psychotherapy in a number of different areas. Specifically, I will discuss the seven areas of interest. First, I will discuss and describe my basic view of human nature, Second, I will determine key factors that account for changes in behavior. Third, I will describe the nature of the therapist client relationship and its importance. Fourth, I will describe key functions and role of the therapist. Fifth, I will discuss the goals of therapy. Sixth, I will determine the techniques and theories of my approach. Seventh, I will discuss specific client issues best suited for my approach. (Walden University, 2012). In this paper I plan to describe and explain my own personal model for counseling. My personal model of counseling uses Gestalt Therapy, Person Centered Therapy, Existential Therapy and Adlerian Therapy which I think complement one another well My Basic View of Human Nature My basic view of human nature is a combination of Person -Centered, Gestalt and Existential theories of counseling (Corey, 2013a). I believe that we are all searching for what it means to be human. I also believe that people are both the product and the process of their choices that are influenced by thoughts and emotions. Self-awareness in the individual leads to greater freedom in the...
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...There are many types of therapy that have been included and excluded throughout history. Starting from Freud and his gateway into the subconscious mind and psychoanalysis, there have been many people and innovations in the psychiatric world that have spurred from him. One of those innovations was the Gestalt Theory by Fredrick S. Perls. The background behind Perls and his theory, an analysis of what his theory was and what it did, and how it is still used today, is what is focused on in this paper. Fredrick S. Perls created the Gestalt Theory in the 1940’s and continued to have an influence on culture through the 1950’s. His main interests in existenalism and Eastern religions, and Gestalt psychology contradicted what his Freudian training had taught him, but in the end led him to his well-known Gestalt Theory. “Perls saw the human being as a unified organism, an integration of mental, physical, emotional. And sensory processes expressed in the present moment” (Irving B. & Craighead, 2010). A lot of Perls work had been influenced by Kurt Goldstein, a neurologist, Moreno’s social experimentation, field therapy by Kurt Lewin, and ideas derived from Zen (Gaie, 2003). His theory focused on the less shy and submissive idea of feelings and brought up the value of the client/patient dynamic and the effectiveness of facing the problem head on. Even though all the people and therapy’s listed above had an influence on Perls, he was able to mesh all of what he had learned together...
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...Thaliya Dublin Counseling and Theories MS D, Zack Introduction Gestalt Therapy was developed in the 1940's and 1950's by Frederick Peer’s a to the United States. Gestalt is German word that refers to completeness and the concept that a whole unit is more than the sum of its parts like person-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy tries to make the individual take responsibility for their own lives and personal growth and to recognize their ability for healing themselves. However, Gestalt therapy is being willing to use confrontational questions and techniques that help the individual to express their true feelings. The basic assumption for this model is that the body and its total developments are in some way bigger than the mind. The Gestalt therapy perceives the mind to be a way of blocking the total drive of the individual in some way. According to Perl's for most individuals the mind and the creations of the mind work against the body. They work against the best interests of the total individual. Therefore the mind is not the center of the individual on the contrary it is the center of the dishonesty that the individual has about himself. As a result, in order to come of age, to become somewhat dishonest about him/her the individual then becomes cast out of his/her own of defense he/she is cut off from reality, and the individual doesn’t see the real world as it is because he/she perceives it as a risk in a distorted way. Furthermore it may have in fact all started at childhood/...
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...Gestalt psychology means unified whole. Gestalt psychology does not look at things as individual elements but as a whole. The three main founders who established the school of gestalt psychology were Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka as well as Wolfgang Kohler. The foundations of the Gestalt psychology are perception, memory and learning. Some of the principles of Gestalt psychology are isomorphism, productive thinking as well as reproductive thinking which will be elaborated in this essay. One of the main contributions of Gestalt psychology is Gestalt therapy which focuses on helping an individual understand their internal self and the difference of what they experience and interpretation of events. Gestalt is a psychology term which means "unified whole". It refers to theories of visual perception developed by German psychologists in the 1920s. Instead of approaching psychology as atoms or elements according to Wundt's theory, Gestalt psychology, discovered by Wertheimer, a German, on the other hand, focuses on human experiencing psychological events as a whole. This essay will be focusing on some of the founders of Gestalt psychology and how it has been interpreted and developed over the years from 1880 to 1967, followed by the principles of Gestalt psychology leading to modern day contribution of Gestalt psychology. Historical Developments There were 3 main founders and contributors of Gestalt psychology. They were Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffa and Wolfgang Kohler. Max Wertheimer...
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...Person centered and Gestalt Therapy The Gestalt approach to therapy emerged during the 1950’s and was developed by Frederick Perls (1893-1970). The aim of Gestalt therapy is to increase awareness, so that the client comes to resolution of unfinished business and the integration of the thinking, feeling and sensing processes. In Gestalt therapy the emphasis is placed on the present experience, the perception of the individual as a whole and the direct awareness of emotions and action. Gestalt therapists believe that the emotional problems and frustrations that are experienced by individuals are attributed to the lack of recognition and understanding of their own feelings. In addition to this Gestaltist believe that many individuals lose parts of themselves when they are confronted with the overpowering task of coping in society. The role of therapist in Gestalt therapy is to encourage the client to acknowledge their emotions. This is by the therapist supporting the client to express their current feeling and experiences. The main focus for the client in Gestalt therapy is to stay in the ‘here and now.’ This is very important because it allows client to stay focused in the present when it comes to their feelings and experiences. Looking at past situations, experiences and future goals is not permitted in therapy because it can cause anxieties that bring forth excessive problems. This is why the ‘here and now’ is emphasized. Also within gestalt therapy the therapist helps the...
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...Family Counseling Approach Research Gestalt Family Therapy Gretchen Thomas Liberty University Abstract Not every client will be of the Christian faith. With that known, proper integration of psychology, spirituality and theology is imperative to have a successful and healthy therapeutic relationship. There are many theorists with distinctively diverse approaches. The Gestalt experiential family therapy process allows professionals the flexibility to individualize their procedures while maintaining an unyielding theoretical background. The way one views integration has a lot to do with their worldview, which determines their use or lack of use of spiritual methods in counseling as well as help the professional deal with on-Christian counselees. This manuscript provides a synopsis of the history of the Gestalt experiential family therapy framework, the leading figures, and in conclusion an overview of how a personal worldview interacts with the Gestalt theory. keywords: Gestalt, integration, experiential family therapy, worldview Family Counseling Approach Research Gestalt Family Therapy Introduction The experiential model or experiential approach to family therapy has many innovators. The symbolic experiential approach pioneered by Carl Whitaker highlights how the therapist provides counselees different ways to accept and deal with issues (Goldenberg and Goldenberg, 2013). Satir (1967) emphasizes the importance...
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...University Abstract This counseling theory paper combines different aspects of various counseling theories and puts them into one unified theory. This new theory takes in account my personal beliefs and worldview. This theory is not permanent, but is put together to allow direction for future counseling sessions. Although each client has a unique situation, this theory can be a basis on how a counselor would start the interaction between herself and the client. This paper outlines philosophical assumptions, which includes how man is inherently evil, but there is still hope for growth. The next section will then discuss the model of personality, which talks about how man develops. This section combines counseling theories such as Gestalt and behavior therapy. The next two sections discuss psychological health and abnormality. This section looks at how a client will be able to set himself free from symptoms that are harming the client. The next section will conclude by talking about psychotherapy and how a counselor should look at the role of the counselor and client while using certain techniques. This paper will conclude with a discussion of the assignment. Overall, this theory could be used in a Christian or secular setting and is based off of personal beliefs. Counseling Theory Paper Each counseling theory includes various strengths that can be used in a counseling session. Since a counselor should make known that each client’s life situation is unique, a counselor should...
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...Browning September 1, 2015 Joshua Paul Humanistic therapies are used to help patients gain insight into their feelings, emotions, and behaviors. The three main psychotherapies are client-centered therapy, existential therapy, and gestalt therapy. Psychotherapy has often been depicted as a complete personal transformation—a sort of “major overhaul” of the psyche. But therapy is not equally effective for all problems (Coon & Mitterer, 2013). Client-Centered Therapy was developed by Carl Rogers. Rogers referred to his Patients as clients rather than patients because he felt by calling them patients It made it sound as if they were sick and needed treatment in order to be cured. Rogers also thought that what may be right for the therapist may not be right for the client. It was Rogers that also allowed his clients to talk about what they wanted to talk about in their sessions together. Client- centered therapy focuses on finding one’s true self that is hidden deep within one’s own defenses (Coon & Mitterer, 2013). Existential Therapy has some similarities as client-centered therapy such as, both therapies promote self-knowledge. With that being said there are prominent differences as well. Existential therapists try to give clients the courage to make rewarding and socially constructive choices. Typically, therapy focuses on death, freedom, isolation, and meaninglessness, the “ultimate...
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...is concern. There are new theories being proved true on a daily basis. The following text will have three of the many theories proved to be true over the centuries before us. Psychodynamic Theory Psychodynamic is defined as an interaction between conscious and unconscious mental states. This will affect the personality, attitude and behavior patterns in a person (Definition of Psychodynamic, 2000). In recent studies, the military psychologists have been using this theory on PTSD patients just coming home from war. This theory and its techniques are implemented over several sessions and the patient is evaluated over time to see how effective the treatment plan has worked (Tull, M., Ph.D., 2012, January 29). The process of psychodynamic therapy can often be stressful on the patient but with the right doctor, those stressful feelings can be redirected to a better outlook on life. For every five soldiers returning home, there is one that returns with PTSD (PTSD Statistics., 2012). Breaking this down to see how many people this actually affects would be eye opening. Well over 300,000 individuals would be the result of that statistic (PTSD Statistics., 2012). The beginning stages in treatment begin by evaluating the patient and see where the...
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...association and interpretation. Free association will be employed in my therapy because when people think of certain people or topics they feel certain ways. With free association as I give the client a words or name they are able to say what first comes to mind then taking that and relating it back to the current issues. For example, if a therapist were to ask me about my father the first things that comes to mind is abandonment, abuse, neglect, etc. With acknowledging what first came to mind I can see my clear thoughts towards that person. I said the things...
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...Gestalt Psychology Reflection Jessica Flatequal PSY/310 11/09/2015 University of Phoenix Major contributors of Gestalt Psychology were Max Wertheimer, Kurt Koffka, and Wolfgang Kohler. The main observations, questions, and principles characteristics from Gestalt Psychology became part of every American Psychologists mental equipment. Mark Wertheimer wrote a paper on phi motion in 1912, which was known to start Gestalt Psychology. Throughout this paper I will review the main contributing events in Gestalt Psychology and its influences in America. Contributions Gestalt contributed to therapy known as Gestalt therapy which focuses on raising individuals boundaries, needs, and sensory. This therapy helps contribute to one’s own self-worth. Gestalt has always focused on whole rather than individuals. Gestalt psychology focuses on human experiencing psychological events as a whole. Wertheimer shifted his interest from law to philosophy and psychology. He had an influence on other things besides the school of thought such as sensation and perception. Kurt Koffka main interest of study was colors such as the difference of color with short and long wave lengths. As a professor at Smith College where he studied the principles of Gestalt, concentrating on focusing and memory. Wolfgang Kohler worked side by side with Werheimer and Koffka at the University of Frankfurt where he studied perceptual ideas through...
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...Developing Personal Style of Counseling Abstract Counseling is a profession, a unique relationship in which the counselor’s job is to hold a ‘mirror’ for the client to see himself or herself. The counselor understands that sometimes it takes a while for the client to see what he or she needs especially if there are more subtle things needing recognition. The counselor knows how to hold the ‘mirror’ in such a way that the client can see himself or herself from a caring, supportive and sympathetic perspective. Sometimes counselors may appear to be repeating what the client says or paraphrasing the clients rather than giving answers. When counselors are doing this there is a strategy behind it. Counseling is not about expect fixing problematic people, they just motivate people to pick up the broken pieces in their behaviors that need attention. Because counselors have a lot of experience witnessing human beings in various forms of life challenges, they use techniques or share observations that are more revealing than what friends or family members might say. With these revelations, clients make decisions and with the support of the counselor, clients take action towards positive growth in their lives. This paper is an expression of my current thinking regarding a theoretical approach of individual counseling. The counselor’s approach is unique based on his or her personal belief systems and values. I have adopted and integrated counseling approach to understanding...
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