Gestalt Therapy and Behavior Therapy

Paper Summary:

This paper reviews and analyzes Gestalt and behavior therapy. According to the paper, Gestalt therapy is a psychological system that stresses integration of body and mind factors by developing self-awareness and personal responsibility. The paper goes on to discuss behavior therapy, stating that there are several approaches to cognitive-behavioral therapy, including rational emotive behavior therapy, rational behavior therapy, rational living therapy, cognitive therapy and dialectic behavior therapy.

From the Paper:

"Therefore, the therapeutic process encourages the client to interact with the environment, as a group, as an individual, and on many different levels, with different techniques, from using battacca bats to whack furniture, to imaging and interacting with the image in their mind by conversing with it out loud. The techniques used in therapy vary as widely as the therapists and clients, from principles based on Holism, Field theory, figure formation, organismic, the concept of the Now and "unfinished business." The therapist dialogues with warmth and caring, yet remains "invisible," as the client is encouraged to interact with the field (environment). The client must think of him- or herself as an abstract area in a limitless "field," thus, therapy is "unpredictable," or follows moment to moment dictum. (Doermann, 2002)"

Sample of Sources Used:

• Behavioral Therapy, Psyweb.com. (2006). Retrieved September 5, 2006 from http://psyweb.com/Mdisord/MdisordADV/AdvPsych.jsp
• Burns, D. (1980). Feeling Good - The New Mood Therapy. New York: Signet
• Burns, D. (1999). Feeling Good: The New Mood Therapy (Revised edition). New York: Harper Collins Publishers .
• Doermann, D. J. (2002). Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. Detroit: The Gale Group Inc., Retrieved September 13, 2006 from
• Gestalt Therapy, Psyweb.com. (2006). Retrieved September 5, 2006 from http://psyweb.com/Mdisord/MdisordADV/AdvPsych.jsp

More papers on Gestalt Therapy and Behavior Therapy:

• Comparison Essay # 107829 : "Gestalt and Behavioral Therapies"
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• Case Study # 107011 : "Human Behavior Theory"

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