Theories of Counseling - Gestalt Therapy

This video explains the theory of Gestalt Therapy as applied to mental health counseling. A summary of Gestalt Therapy and opinion on how specific aspects can be used in integrative counseling are reviewed.

[lauraleslie]

Gestalt Therapy's focus on the present was confusing when relating to unfinished business. Both seemed to contradict each other, but this video helped connect how they work together. Recognizing there is unfinished business in the past, which is affecting the present, is an interesting technique to tie the two. Additionally, engaging in self-dialogue can be a powerful tool to overcome anxiety and other stressful situations.

[tommyfisher-klein]

I really appreciate how in Gestalt Therapy the counselor points out the use of language and nonverbal behaviors that the client expresses throughout the session. I believe that many people are not very cognizant of their language (verbal and physical) and how it represent them during a counseling session which in my opinion can stall or slow down client progress when clients are constantly viewing themselves in the negative and do not see or understand that can be a problem.

[kirstinstrand]

I was given a cursory overview 1000 years ago in Psych 101. That class introduced me to the concept of being or becoming Aurhentic. At the time, I was clueless about what such a thing was. However, Authentic seemed valuable. One could say that I have spent a lifetime becoming Authentic. I am happy to say that I have ARRIVED!

[jaceybenton]

I'm a former speducator in grad school for clinical mental health counseling and it hit me that I have been using gestalt for years because ABA is evil in my humble opinion. I love this breakdown. Thank you for your work.

[aussiebreeze]

I look forward to using this more directive approach. Though the past and future may have some importance on the moment... finding the "awareness of the now" is something I can use in the limited time with a client. I appreciate the non-verbal cues and helping a client realize how their body reacts even when they are not realizing it for themselves.

[ivengrowe]

Gestalt's therapy increases a person's awareness, freedom, and self-direction. This makes sense to me because it put the clients in control of what they will be experiencing. They also concentrate on the present rather than the past so they can develop new perspectives on things and make those positive changes in their lives.

[kikixiong]

Great review of the theory! I like Gestalt Therapy as it feels real and practical to me, even though it’s more of a directive approach. I really like the technique to point out the client’s nonverbal behavior in the session. The client can learn about themselves and talk about their feelings after being confronted. The techniques of the theory feels very realistic. Thank you for explaining the theory and make it so clear!

[ladc]

Thank you Dr. Grande for sharing your knowledge with us. I am currently studying for my National MFT exam and often use your videos as part of my study plan. L

[katybethhern]

I like Gestalt's technique of pointing out non-verbal behavior immediately after it is portrayed by the client. Thus, in my opinion, sometimes it's the things people don't say that are more important or relevant to a situation,  rather than what they verbalize. Thus, its more difficult to hide feelings through non-verbal behavior than it is through verbalization. For example, it is easy for someone to say they are not angry or sad when they really are, but it is difficult to hide such feelings through non-verbal behavior and cues that the individual is not aware they are portraying.

[melissahansbury]

I really like that Gestalt therapy focuses on self-awareness. I feel that self-awareness is important for living a healthy life. I like the fact that there is a need to increase responsibility and using "I" for more ownership. Taking responsibility for your own actions in life is a great thing. It leads to maturity. I like the techniques of this theory. I think role-play can be extremely beneficial for a client when done correctly by the counselor.

[priscillaj]

In Gestalt therapy, I appreciate the noticing of unfinished business and the impact it can have on an individual. Unfinished business can negative feelings, such as anger, guilt, or fear, experienced during the client's past experiences or desires the client never got to fulfill and prevents the client from focusing on the present. By bringing the negative feelings and unfulfilled desires from the past into the present, the client is able to deal with them constructively, find closure, and also increase awareness of themselves.

[angiegrimes]

I find the emphasis on awareness appealing, especially paying attention to nonverbal behavior. Much of how we communicate is non verbal and we do it unconsciously. By actively paying attention to these signals, the counselor may be able to help the client learn more about how they feel about a person or a situation. This can be incorporated into their conscious awareness of their senses, emotions and bodily sensations to have a more complete picture of the client.

[kyarapanula]

Thus far, Gestalt has proved to be the most appealing--even more so than Existential, which still provides a consistent foundation for my theoretical orientation. I appreciate the use of I-statements, becoming the I-thou relationship necessary for psychological change. These statements highlight the ever-important need to acquire and maintain responsibility, maturity, and an internal sense of control. I view the Gestalt theory productively combining the basic neurological function of thought associations with the technical implications of both Behavioralist and Adlerian therapies, as well as the Existentialist school in terms of symptomatology. A pretty powerful recipe!

[joe]

I like gastalt Therapy, & that it's focus is on awareness. Some of the techniques seem useful such as role playing with the client, or the empty chair techniques, & would be helpful in assisting them in exploring their issues through their present understanding.

[alexandrajones]

At first, I was confused about how gestalt focuses so much on the present but uses "unfinished business" as a technique. I now feel like this is an important technique. Looking at how things of the past are affecting you now is important to being aware of your feelings and actions. I think it is important for people to be aware and take responsibility of the things they do. Many people blame others for the things that go wrong in their lives rather than taking responsibility because they are unaware of their behaviors.

[corinne]

I like gestalt therapy and feel that it is one of the most realistic therapies out there. It is a more directive approach. I like the idea that one must take responsibility for their own actions. When a person becomes more aware of their actions then they are more likely to change.

[JMBmacL]

Conditions+cause= effect. For me gestalt therpy more than cognitive(burns style) provides a roadmap of understanding myself better and enabled me to have better outcomes. " Simple" works.

[janicedixon]

I like Gestalt Theory! It seems like a theory I would lean more towards after during further research about it. The video gave a nice breakdown which helped me understanding how personality develops based on the theory, causes of symptoms and techniques used to help alleviate some of the internalized emotions the client has.

[kimeeshareed-walker]

I like the empty chair technique. Having the opportunity to speak with a significant other but in the future is definitely a way to encourage clients to focus on present responsibilities, build confidence, and realize their potential .

[JMBmacL]

Buddaist meditation and awareness with clarity to reality brought me to begin gestalt therpy with my defenses lowered. ☺