Chapter 6 - Gestalt Therapy

Question 1

What are the core elements of Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 1

Here and now focus, authenticity, active dialogue, and I/Thou relationship.

Question 2

What is the main goal of Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 2

To expand clients’ awareness of their present experience.

Question 3

How does Gestalt Therapy define awareness?

Answer 3

A curative process that leads to integration and wholeness.

Question 4

What philosophical influences shape Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 4

Existentialism, phenomenology, and process-based approaches.

Question 5

What is the significance of the ‘I/Thou’ relationship in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 5

It emphasizes dialogue, mutual respect, and genuine presence between therapist and client.

Question 6

What is the role of the present moment in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 6

The power of healing exists in the ‘now’ rather than the past or future.

Question 7

What is phenomenological inquiry?

Answer 7

Paying attention to what is happening in the present moment.

Question 8

What is holism in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 8

Integrating thoughts, feelings, behaviors, body sensations, memories, and dreams.

Question 9

What is field theory in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 9

Clients are seen as participants in a constantly changing environment.

Question 10

What is the figure-ground formation process?

Answer 10

How individuals organize their experiences from moment to moment.

Question 11

What is organismic self-regulation?

Answer 11

A natural process where needs or sensations emerge to disturb an individual’s equilibrium.

Question 12

What is contact in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 12

Interacting with others and the environment without losing individuality.

Question 13

What are boundary disturbances?

Answer 13

Defenses that prevent full contact with the present moment.

Question 14

What is introjection in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 14

Psychologically swallowing whole beliefs without questioning them.

Question 15

What is projection in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 15

Attributing personal thoughts or feelings to others instead of owning them.

Question 16

What is retroflection?

Answer 16

Turning impulses inward, such as directing anger at oneself instead of others.

Question 17

What is deflection?

Answer 17

Avoiding direct contact or intense emotions through distraction or humor.

Question 18

What is confluence?

Answer 18

A lack of boundary between self and others, leading to loss of individuality.

Question 19

What is unfinished business in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 19

Unresolved emotions from the past that interfere with present functioning.

Question 20

What is an impasse in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 20

A point where external support is unavailable, leading to emotional stagnation.

Question 21

How does Gestalt Therapy address blocked energy?

Answer 21

Helping clients recognize and transform their resistance into adaptive behavior.

Question 22

How does Gestalt Therapy work with body awareness?

Answer 22

Encouraging clients to experience bodily tension and give it a ‘voice’.

Question 23

What is ‘It talk’ in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 23

Using impersonal language instead of owning experiences.

Question 24

Why is language important in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 24

It can reveal hidden emotions and disowned aspects of experience.

Question 25

What is the difference between exercises and experiments in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 25

Exercises are pre-planned techniques; experiments arise spontaneously in sessions.

Question 26

What is the internal dialogue exercise?

Answer 26

A technique for exploring splits in personality through dialogue.

Question 27

What is the empty-chair technique?

Answer 27

A role-playing exercise to process unresolved emotions with another 'self' or person.

Question 28

What is the future projection technique?

Answer 28

Acting out an anticipated event in the present moment.

Question 29

How does Gestalt Therapy apply to group counseling?

Answer 29

Encourages direct experience, awareness, and resolving unfinished business.

Question 30

What is linking in Gestalt group therapy?

Answer 30

Including other members in an individual's therapeutic exploration.

Question 31

How does Gestalt Therapy address cultural diversity?

Answer 31

By adapting experiments to clients' unique cultural perspectives and nonverbal expressions.

Question 32

What are limitations of Gestalt Therapy for culturally reserved clients?

Answer 32

They may feel uncomfortable with its emotional intensity and direct expression.

Question 33

What are strengths of Gestalt Therapy from a multicultural perspective?

Answer 33

It helps bicultural individuals integrate diverse cultural aspects of themselves.

Question 34

What are criticisms of Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 34

It can be confrontational, may overemphasize emotions, and requires skillful application.

Question 35

What is a risk of using Gestalt techniques improperly?

Answer 35

Therapists may abuse power or push clients too aggressively into emotional experiences.

Question 36

What is the role of therapist authenticity in Gestalt Therapy?

Answer 36

Therapists must be genuine, self-aware, and open in their interactions with clients.

Question 37

How does Gestalt Therapy view resistance?

Answer 37

As a meaningful defense mechanism that can be explored and worked through.

Question 38

What is a core belief of Gestalt Therapy about healing?

Answer 38

Healing comes from experiencing and accepting the present moment fully.