Abstract This paper discusses Gestalttherapy in terms of its goals, concepts, approaches, and components. The paper also discusses the major ideas of Gestalttherapy including individuals seeking closure, constancy and wholeness and looks at how the Gestalt therapist works with clients.
From the Paper "Gestalt psychology emerged from a German movement that was a reaction against structural psychology. According to James F Brennan, underlying Gestalt psychology was the nativistic proposition that the organization of mental activity predisposes the individual to interact with the environment in characteristic ways. The goals of Gestalt psychology and therapy are to investigate the organization of mental activity while determining the exact nature of the interaction between the person and the environment. The principles of Gestalt psychology are described by..."
Abstract This paper discusses the Gestalttherapy that emerged from a multitude of philosophical, theoretical, scientific and cultural roots. The paper explains that as a product of the early twentieth century, it would be impossible to divorce the evolution of Gestalttherapy from Marxism or existentialism and indeed the theories of Gestalttherapy in part derive from those philosophies. Moreover, the paper claims that the Gestalttherapy at least in part originated through a therapeutic application of the perception principles of Gestalt psychology. The paper examines the tenuous and controversial relationship between Gestalttherapy and Gestalt psychology.
From the Paper "The key founders of Gestalt therapy were Fritz Perls, Laura Perls, and Paul Goodman. Their theories first become codified in the 1940s and 1950s, decades after the publication of key Gestalt psychological works like Wertheimer's 1933 Productive Thinking, and Kolher's 1929 book Gestalt Psychology. Perhaps the main contribution of Gestalt psychology on Gestalt therapy were the "gestalt laws," including the law of pragnanz, the law of closure, the law of similarity, and the law of proximity. Although these laws were used by Gestalt psychologists to describe mostly perceptual phenomenon, they can be easily extended to offer descriptions of human mental and cognitive processes. For example, the law of pragnanz (literally the "law of pregnancy") implies that the individual will gravitate toward experiencing "as good a gestalt as possible," (Boeree 2000). In other words, the human being naturally seeks wholeness in his or her visual perceptions. Applied to Gestalt therapy, the law of pragnanz would imply that the human being naturally seeks wholeness in his or her experiences of reality, and in his or her relationships. One of the keys to psychological healing is the achievement of wholeness, or gestalt."
Abstract The paper reviews the academic literature on gestalttherapy and focuses on some of the quantitative and qualitative studies that explore the impact of gestalttherapy on relieving psychological anxiety in subject groups. The paper looks at how cultural integration can influence gestalttherapy and how it can permit this therapy to assist people in optimizing their quality of life and psychological well-being. The paper concludes that while the scholarly literature is not uniformly in favor of gestalttherapy, the academic view is generally a favorable one.
From the Paper "The number of purely qualitative studies that have been done on gestalt therapy is actually rather small; for the most part, it appears as though researchers prefer studies that are predominantly quantitative in nature - or studies that are a "mix" of qualitative and quantitative measures. As one consequence of this emphasis upon statistical measures, several of the studies pored over by this writer utilized bivariate and multivariate regression analysis to control for variables such as age, ethnicity and gender (sometimes also for socio-economic status) but these studies also used descriptive or qualitative devices to contextualize (or, more importantly, to defend) their empirical findings."
Abstract This paper reviews and analyzes Gestalt and behavior therapy. According to the paper, Gestalttherapy 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)"
Abstract Gestalt is as much a philosophical and spiritual approach to life as it is a treatment for psychological disorders. The paper shows that it proposes, fore mostly, to raise the awareness of a human being of the inner workings of his mind and body so that he feels alive to life. It is, according to the Gestalt point of view the lack of self awareness that confines man to a mechanical existence and it is also this lack of self awareness that keeps man from genuine contact: first with him and second with the environment and other humans.
From the Paper "In the last decade a new variant of cognitive therapy called mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) has become popular as a psychotherapeutic branch, particularly in the treatment of depression. Gestalt therapy, on the other hand is an older branch that continues to have a select but fiercely loyal following. This paper is an attempt to compare the two. It will first look at each branch from a theatrical and also practice point of view. Then it will try to show where these tow modalities of psychotherapy converge and diverge."
Abstract This paper examines similarities between Adlerian and Gestalt psychology theories, and their respective psychotherapies. It traces the history of Gestalt psychology and the development of Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy.
From the Paper "Gestalt psychology traces its origins to when Max Wertheimer studied phenomenal movement in the way the cinema operates. Moving pictures do not actually move but we see movement because we impose our perception of a series of pictures as movement and this is an example of Gestalt organization. We don't passively respond to the world but we interact with it. Our environment is not just reality but is also subject to our perceptions of it."
Abstract This paper examines six concepts important to understanding Gestalt psychology and therapy using characters and situations in Tony Kaye's film about two skinhead brothers, "American History X"
From the Paper "The six Gestalt principles are introjection, projection, retroflection, confluence, denial and contact cycle. The brothers' personality developments leading to their radical racism and one brother's eventual rejection of the movement provide strong examples of these principles, showing how Gestalt psychology looks at psychopathologic personality development and can be used to work toward personality reintegration."
Abstract This paper explains that, although the client's best interest is always the most important decision when choosing what kind of the many types therapeutic approaches to use with any single individual, it is still important for the therapist to have an understanding of his or her own personal choices and preferences. The author describes and compares existential therapy, the client-centered or person-centered approach developed by Carl Rogers and Gestalttherapy, which are forms of phenomenological or experiential (P/E) therapy.The paper concludes that the active involvement and holistic viewpoint of Gestalttherapy, mixed with an emphasis on philosophical thought, self-reflection, honesty and emotion in the broader existential therapies, to be an accurate reflection of the author's own personality and views of how individuals function.
From the Paper "Rogers considered his therapy a method of allowing for personal growth, and the unconditional positive regard and empathetic understanding were responsible for the provision of an atmosphere conducive to such growth. As an adult during the middle stages of my life, although I do still see the potential for personal growth, such issues are not paramount to my life. I prefer to view my life as a whole, and to see what I have accomplished as being an integral part of my personality."
Tags: behaviours structured deficiencies, problem solving, role
This paper is an extensive review of Brief therapy (?Solution-Focused Brief Therapy?), which uses practical strategies to help clients make significant positive changes in their lives in a relatively short period of time.
Abstract This paper states that Brief Therapy contrasts markedly with the psychoanalytic approaches because Brief Therapy focuses on what is going on in the client's life at the time of the therapy and does not delve into the subconscious or early childhood experiences. The paper also reviews GestaltTherapy and cognitive therapy and their relationship to Brief therapy. The paper is well researched.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Implementation
When is Brief Therapy Appropriate?
When Brief Therapy Is Not Appropriate?
Related Research
Questions Raised by Brief Therapy What Do We Need to Know about Brief Therapy?
From the Paper "Therapists who use brief therapy have specific tasks to accomplish with their clients. They have to learn skills and techniques used with solution-focused therapies. It helps for them to be open to new ideas regarding how to guide people to actively make changes in their lives. They need to be able to use several approaches with skill and flexibility, as a client may become stuck and need an innovative way to move forward."
An overview of cognitive behavior therapy, focusing on the roles of the therapist and patient and how it compares to other therapies used in psychology.
3,720 words (approx. 14.9 pages), 6 sources, 2006, $ 133.95
Abstract This paper discusses cognitive behavioral therapy and the elements of its practice. It also explores the therapist and patient roles of cognitive behavioral therapy, and how it relates to other therapies currently used in psychology. Adlerian therapy, person centered therapy, existential therapy, Gestalttherapy, reality therapy, solution oriented brief therapy, multi-modal therapy, feminist therapy, and rational emotion behavior therapy are discussed and contrasted to traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. Through these comparisons a focus on the central characteristics of these therapies is evident, providing a framework for patients and professionals to determine which therapy would be most effective for the needs of particular patients.
Abstract This paper provides a comparison of Gestalt and behavioral therapies and presents an overview and assessment of each therapy and the ways each are used in the field of counseling. The researcher proposes that the Gestalt approach to therapy is more patient-focused and may lead to quicker positive outcomes than behavior therapies, though the two therapies are much the same in terms of their purpose and ideals.
Outline:
Introduction
GestaltTherapy Behavioral Therapy Assessment in Practice
Major Differences in Approach
Conclusion
From the Paper "Gestalt "theory" and "therapy" are terms often used interchangeably. They focus on the individual in the present moment; combining their identity with the relationship, they have with the therapist to emphasize responsibility for one's behaviors and actions (James & Jongeward, 1996, p.30). Among the first theorists to believe in the gestalt approach were a Jewish psychologist and analyst known as "Fritz Perls" who incorporated many psychological influences when forming the idea that therapy should be holistic in its approach, and emphasize the client's responsibility for all actions and consequences personally (James & Jongeward, 1996). Using this line of thinking, a gestalt therapist would encourage someone who committed a crime for example, to take responsibility for their actions by recognizing the motives behind their actions and the consequences their actions had on others. This approach today is more common among therapists interested in integrated therapy, something gestalt therapy shares with many behavioral therapies, which attempt to adopt a mind/body approach (Fine & Schwebel, 1994)."
Abstract The writer claims that these two approaches are very different in how they view the client and how they work with clients. According to the paper, Rogers was very non-directive, while holding the view that clients naturally moved toward health. Perls, a Gestalt psychologist,on the other hand, was extremely directive, and felt that clients often became stuck in non-productive patterns and behaviors. The paper gives examples to prove this thesis.
From the Paper "Rogers termed his work the person-centered approach to psychotherapy. His ideas evolved over time. For Rogers, this was an evolutionary process, driven by his work with clients. It is important to remember that Rogers represented a break with the traditional Freudians and Jungians; he is the first true psychotherapist, rather than medically trained psychiatrist. So, essentially he felt his way along into his theory and practice. What he learned was that his clients seemed to make more progress when he listened to them, rather than when he made interpretations of their experiences (Rogers, 1980)."
Abstract Distinguishing between types of therapies is beneficial for those seeking to make change within social settings with specific or unique needs. Family centered therapies are one of the many different therapy strategies that can be applied to facilitate change. However while individual therapy tends to be defined as a relationship between two individuals with the purpose of achieving therapeutic change, the family systems therapy approach takes a more integrated process towards the close social units in which the individual seeking therapy resides. This paper identifies differences between the traditional individual therapy style of therapy and the family systems therapy approach.
Abstract This paper details the benefits of solution focused brief therapy (SFBT), which was introduced as an alternative method of treatment, which could be accomplished in a shorter period of time, as opposed to the more traditional forms of long-term therapy and psychoanalysis. The writer contends and explains why SFBT is significantly more efficient in terms of time, scope and cost when compared to long-term therapy. This paper delves into the literature and research published on this particular form of therapy. This paper cites the various techniques involved in successfully implementing SFBT. This paper discusses the advantages of SFBT and success rates attained in both family and couples therapy, while also citing various experts in the field who oppose this particular form of treatment.
From the Paper "Miracle questions are created to provide the therapist a 'preview' of how the patient views his/her future life. These questions engage patients by allowing them to contemplate about specific possibilities that may happen in their lives. Questions may be hypothetical situations that focus on the individual's action when confronted with mundane events followed after by thought-provoking inquiries by the therapist. This technique probes into the patient's capability to think about alternative solutions to specific life situations or problems, enabling the therapist to come up with a suggested resolution that is within the understanding of the patient. This also makes the patient feel that s/he had an active role in the solution-making process that took place during the therapy. Scaling is a more quantitative means by which problems are assessed by the therapist."
