Gestalt therapy is a type of psychotherapy that emphasizes integrating the mind, body, and spirit to achieve balance and harmony. The goal of gestalt therapy is to help people become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment so that they can make more mindful choices going forward.
When we are not living in alignment with our true selves, we can end up feeling disconnected, lost, and alone. Gestalt therapy can help us to reconnect with ourselves and others so that we can live more authentic and fulfilling lives.
The word “gestalt” comes from German meaning “shape” or “form.” In gestalt therapy, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. This means that when we are able to see ourselves as part of the larger picture, we can gain a better understanding of who we are and how we fit into the world around us.
How Does Gestalt Therapy Work?
Gestalt therapy focuses on the here-and-now. The therapist will help you to become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and actions in the present moment so that you can make more mindful choices going forward. This type of therapy also emphasizes the importance of taking responsibility for your own choices and actions.
Gestalt therapy sessions typically last 50 minutes to 1 hour. During your session, your therapist will likely encourage you to talk about your thoughts and feelings openly and honestly. You may also be asked to participate in experiential exercises such as role-playing or guided imagery. These exercises are designed to help you get in touch with your emotions and better understand how your past experiences are impacting your present life.
Gestalt therapy was developed by Fritz Perls, and his wife, Laura Perls, who was a psychologist and psychotherapist. The Perls’ were influenced by the work of German philosopher Edmund Husserl. Husserl believed that humans experience the world through their senses, and that our consciousness is constantly changing in response to our experiences. The Perls’ took this idea and applied it to counseling, creating a therapy that emphasizes a person’s immediate experience and how it affects their overall well-being.
How Does Gestalt Therapy Work?
Gestalt therapy is usually conducted with a therapist and a client. The therapist will guide the client through different exercises and activities designed to help them become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
One common exercise used in Gestalt therapy is called “empty chair work.” In this exercise, the therapist will ask the client to imagine that someone important to them (such as a parent or spouse) is sitting in an empty chair across from them. The client will then have a conversation with this imaginary person, during which they will express their thoughts and feelings honestly. This exercise can help people understand how past relationships have affected them and how they can move forward in their lives.
In Gestalt therapy, the practitioner uses the empty chair technique as a way of exploring emotions and feelings that may be suppressed. Again, the technique involves sitting in an empty chair and imagining that someone else is sitting in it. This can be someone who is no longer alive, someone who is inaccessible, a boss, co-worker, someone in a relationship, an imaginary coach, your future self, or even a part of yourself.
The Origins of the Empty Chair Technique
Perls believed that we suppress parts of ourselves that we don’t like or that we are ashamed of. By sitting in an empty chair and talking to these suppressed parts, we can bring them into our awareness and begin to work through them.
How the Empty Chair Technique Works
The empty chair technique is usually done with a therapist, but it can also be done alone. To do the technique alone, find a comfortable place to sit where you will not be interrupted. Sit in a chair and imagine that someone else is sitting in the chair across from you. This can be anyone you choose.
Once you have chosen someone, start a conversation with them. You can say anything that you want to say to this person. Remember, there are no wrong answers. The point of the exercise is to explore your emotions and get in touch with parts of yourself that you may have been suppressing.
After you have finished speaking, spend some time reflecting on what you said and how you felt during the exercise. Did anything surprise you? Did any new insights come to light?
Often the client can switch back and forth between the chairs, and take on the personality of whom they are talking to. This can help the client to gain empathy for the person and the situation, as well as to see the larger picture. This communication within themselves sets the stage to see the larger picture.
What Are the Benefits of Gestalt Therapy?
Gestalt therapy can provide many benefits including:
– Improved self-awareness
– Greater insight into your thoughts, feelings, and actions
– Increased ability to make mindful choices
– More authenticity in relationships
– Greater sense of connection with yourself and others
– Better management of strong emotions
– improved coping skills for dealing with stress and anxiety
If you’re looking for a type of therapy that emphasizes integration of the mind, body, spirit, Gestalt therapy may be a good fit for you. This type of therapy has been shown to provide many benefits including improved self-awareness, insight into your thoughts and feelings, increased ability to make mindful choices, more authenticity in relationships, and better management of strong emotions. If you’re interested in exploring Gestalt therapy further, consider meeting with a therapist at Sunflower Counseling.
