Gestalt Therapy Theory Flashcards
Gestalt Theory of Change
Change occurs through increased awareness of here-
and-now experience in a dialogic relationship. Both existential and humanistic.
Gestalt
Role of the Therapist
- The therapist is an authentic, present other
- Non-directive and non-judgmental
- Increase the client’s awareness in the present moment
Gestalt
Treatment Goals
The goal is for clients to become aware of what they are doing, how they are doing it, and how they can change themselves, and at the same time, learn to accept and value themselves.
Gestalt - Key Concepts
•Phenomenological Method:
Exploring experience by description and abstaining from interpretation
Gestalt - Key Concepts
•Dialogical Relationship:
Therapist’s presence allows for the client to
become fully present.
Gestalt - Key Concepts
•Experiential:
Through experiments, the therapist supports the client’s direct experience of something new, instead of merely talking about the possibility of something new.
Gestalt - Key Concepts
•Here-and-Now Focus:
The past is discussed in terms of how the past affects the present.
Gestalt - Intervention
Empty Chair Technique:
Used to explore patients’ relationships with themselves or others in their lives. A form of role-playing, the client addresses
an empty chair as if another person was in it in order to act out two or more sides of a discussion.
Gestalt - Intervention
Experiments:
Encourages the client to experience a feeling rather than just talk about it.
Gestalt - Intervention
Body Techniques
Bring patients’ awareness to their body functioning or
help them to be aware of how they can use their bodies to support excitement, awareness
Gestalt - Intervention
Focuses on the process, what is actually happening, and the content, what is being talked about.
