Gestalt Psychotherapy

Gestalt Psychotherapy has its roots in 'Gestalt psychology' and pre-war psychoanalysis. It emerged in the United States in the 1950s and evolved into a highly successful approach in the 1970s. The approach of Gestalt psychotherapy is connected with existentialism and phenomenology prevailing in the socio-cultural contexts in which it developed.

Gestalt Psychotherapy Techniques

Psychotherapists are active collaborators in the client's development process, emphasizing empowerment, autonomy, and creative adaptation. Gestalt adopts a holistic view of the client, tending to integrate the mental (cognitive and emotional), physical, social, and spiritual dimensions. It focuses on awareness of the present experience and is based on the principle that mental conflicts are always expressed and realized in the here and now. Therefore, it does not focus so much on the 'why' of a mental difficulty but on the 'how' it operates for the client at the given moment. Furthermore, Gestalt psychotherapy not only aims to explain the origin of difficulties but also promotes experimenting with new solutions, mobilizing change. Gestalt psychotherapy does not focus so much on 'treating' symptoms but on the complete recovery and development of human potential.