Member-only story

Gestalt Counselling In Action: Embracing the Here-and-Now for Transformative Change

Gary Reed

·16.1k Followers· Follow

Published in Gestalt Counselling In Action (Counselling In Action Series)

7 min read

1.4k View Claps

95 Respond

Save

Listen

Gestalt counselling is a humanistic and experiential approach to therapy that emphasizes the importance of the present moment, relationships, and the individual's unique experience. It is based on the belief that we are all inherently whole and capable of growth and change, and that our difficulties often stem from our inability to be fully present and authentic in our lives.

Gestalt Counselling in Action (Counselling in Action series)

by Simon Cavicchia

4.8 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	1152 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	256 pages

Gestalt counselling was developed by Fritz Perls, Laura Perls, and Paul Goodman in the 1940s and 1950s. It is based on the Gestalt psychology of Kurt Lewin, which emphasizes the importance of the whole rather than the parts. In Gestalt counselling, the therapist works with the client to help them become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, and to identify and challenge the patterns that are preventing them from living a fulfilling life.

Key Concepts of Gestalt Counselling

There are several key concepts that underpin Gestalt counselling, including:

The here-and-now: Gestalt counselling focuses on the present moment, rather than the past or the future. This is because the present moment is the only time in which we can truly experience and change our lives.
The whole person: Gestalt counselling considers the individual as a whole, rather than as a collection of separate parts. This means that the therapist will work with the client to explore their thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and relationships.
Relationships: Gestalt counselling emphasizes the importance of relationships in our lives. The therapist will work with the client to explore their relationships with others, as well as their relationship with themselves.
Responsibility: Gestalt counselling encourages clients to take responsibility for their own lives. This means that the client will be supported to identify and challenge the patterns that are preventing them from living a fulfilling life.

Techniques of Gestalt Counselling

Gestalt counselling uses a variety of techniques to help clients become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations, and to identify and challenge the patterns that are preventing them from living a fulfilling life. These techniques include:

Awareness exercises: These exercises help clients to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. They may involve paying attention to their breath, scanning their body for sensations, or simply noticing their thoughts and feelings without judgment.
Dreamwork: Dreams can provide valuable insights into our unconscious mind. In Gestalt counselling, dreams are often used as a way to explore our hidden thoughts and feelings.
Role-playing: Role-playing can be used to explore different aspects of ourselves, or to practice new ways of behaving. For example, a client may role-play a conversation with a difficult boss or a family member.
Empty chair work: Empty chair work is a technique that can be used to explore relationships with others. The client will sit in a chair and imagine that someone else is sitting in the empty chair opposite them. They can then talk to the person in the empty chair, expressing their thoughts and feelings.

Benefits of Gestalt Counselling

Gestalt counselling can offer a number of benefits, including:

Increased self-awareness: Gestalt counselling helps clients to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. This increased self-awareness can lead to a greater sense of self-acceptance and self-compassion.
Improved communication skills: Gestalt counselling can help clients to improve their communication skills. They will learn to express their thoughts and feelings in a clear and assertive way, and to listen to others with empathy and understanding.
Enhanced emotional regulation: Gestalt counselling can help clients to regulate their emotions. They will learn to identify and express their emotions in a healthy way, and to cope with difficult emotions such as anger, sadness, and fear.
Reduced stress and anxiety: Gestalt counselling can help clients to reduce stress and anxiety. By learning to be more present and aware, clients can let go of worries about the past and the future, and focus on living in the present moment.
Increased resilience: Gestalt counselling can help clients to become more resilient. They will learn to cope with challenges and adversity, and to bounce back from setbacks.