Brian Mistler on “What is Gestalt Therapy?”

 

I share many important things in common with others and at the same time each person comes with his or her own culture and formative life experiences. Each person is both separate from and connected to others. We all live in the world together, and perceive that world each in our own way. I cannot say that my way of perceiving the world is better than yours. Every way of perceiving the world has its own value, deserving of respect. Sometimes the value of a particular way of being in the world changes – it begins to work better or worse in this situation or that. Its effectiveness may change dramatically not only between persons, but at different times in the life of one person. As a particular way of perceiving, acting, and being becomes less effective for me (generally because circumstances have changed), I must also adapt if I am to continue feeling satisfied. Often, however, instead of adapting, I get stuck, and it is at this point, that Gestalt Therapy can help. As a Gestalt therapist I help people who want to get unstuck.

 

There are no right answers – any changes you want to make are guided by and limited by what you know and want. Thus it is that Gestalt therapy begins and ends with awareness! Awareness is assisted by developing habits that facilitate paying attention and habits that enable more clear communication and interaction with one's environment and with one's self in the ongoing present moment. The Gestalt therapeutic approach rests on the belief that each unique person has an inner urge toward survival, growth, and wholeness. Nature heals if the right conditions are present and available. Change begins not by trying to be different, but by being completely who you already are. Therefore, as a Gestalt Therapist, it is my hope to work with my clients to vhelp support the availability of what is needed to grow, and occasionally to frustrate the tired habits of unconsciously moving away from opportunities for healing.

 

When we (I and my client together) are successful in this, the individual moves from ill-health (that is, child-like dependence upon, or neorotic manipulation of, the environment for necessary support) toward health (self-support independent of, and interactive with, the environment in healthy ways, with clear, flexible boundaries).  There are no set formulas for this personal state of maturation, nor for the activities of a Gestalt therapist in enabling that movement. Sometimes we do CBT journals, and sometimes we move, dance, or draw. Both the process of living one's life and of doing Gestalt therapy are creative acts.

 

 

The material presented in these links has been taken largely from, "Theoretical and Practical Foundations of Gestalt Therapy," written by my friend, teacher, and mentor for nearly a decade Margaret ("Pat") P. Korb, Ph.D, in a form first adapted for the web by Pat along with Josie Davenport and John P. Korb for the Gestalt Center of Gainesville. In making it available here I will also repeat from the original preface that there is no prescribed order to the headings;  in one way or another, each facet of Gestalt therapy theory relates to the others. Readers are highly encouraged to seek out other sources of information on Gestalt. Please also remember that theory must be accompanied by real life experience – after reading about water, the next step is to get wet.              

                                                                                                                                                                                        – Brian J. Mistler, Ph.D.