Gestalt psychotherapy
Gestalt psychotherapy is an approach that focuses on the present moment, personal responsibility and awareness. It was created in the first half of the 20th century. century, and the founders of this approach are Fritz Perls, Laura Perls and Paul Goodman. It has its roots in psychoanalytic theories, phenomenology and existentialism.
Fritz Perls, a German-American psychiatrist and psychotherapist, played a key role in the development of Gestalt psychotherapy. He was inspired by the ideas of phenomenology, where attention is focused on the present moment as well as the direct experience of the person.
The basic idea of Gestalt therapy is that people are best understood through their personal experiences, perceptions and emotions.
Techniques in Gestalt psychotherapy
Gestalt therapists emphasize the importance of becoming aware of and expressing emotions, as well as recognizing and exploring one’s own patterns of behavior. Therapists use the technique of “presence” to help clients become aware of their current thoughts, feelings, and bodies.
The “dialogue” technique encourages interaction between different aspects of the client’s personality. Gestalt therapy also emphasizes responsibility for one’s own actions and choices.