Gestalt therapy is a type of talk therapy that focuses on the “here and now” and a holistic view of individuals. Gestalt techniques might include role play, dreamwork, and more.
Gestalt therapy is a type of psychotherapy with roots in humanistic psychology. It was developed in the 1940s and 50s and emphasizes focusing on the present moment, rather than the past.
Gestalt therapists take a holistic view of their clients, and the therapist-client relationship is important throughout sessions.
This type of therapy may be effective for several mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. It can also help you build self-confidence and improve your awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.
What is the gestalt method of therapy?
Gestalt therapy is a humanistic therapy that aims to promote individual growth and empowerment while bringing about self-awareness. Self-awareness, in particular, is a cornerstone of gestalt therapy.
When you’re able to become aware of your thoughts, behaviors, and feelings, you can gain power over them and make meaningful changes. Also, self-awareness of the body can help you understand how sensations relate to your emotions and behaviors.
Other core tenets of gestalt therapy involve:
- focusing on yourself as a whole, or holistically
- focusing on the present moment, or the “here and now” — in other words, your present relationships and mental health rather than your past or childhood
- adapting to new situations and learning coping strategies to respond to change
- understanding the importance of the therapist-client relationship
It can take place both one-on-one and in group settings.
Examples of gestalt method techniques
According to research from 2023 , gestalt therapy involves imagination, visualization, and relationship work via dreams, metaphors, body images, and dialogues that activate your emotions and experiences.
Some common gestalt techniques include:
- Empty chair technique: Looking at an empty chair, you’ll talk with an imagined person or an aspect of yourself. This may help you resolve conflict, explore your emotions, and create a dialogue.
- Role playing: When role playing, you can experiment. There a re many ways to role play, including pretending to be two sides of yourself or someone else. Role playing can help you confront and work through conflicts.
- Dream reenactment: Reliving your dreams with your therapist gives you an opportunity to explore your feelings and experiences, especially anything you may have repressed or been unable to accept. This is also called dreamwork .
Gestalt vs. CBT
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most well-known types of talk therapy. Most modern therapists use some aspect of CBT.
CBT can teach you to notice and resolve negative thoughts and behaviors that affect your mental health. You may learn problem-solving skills and other ways to cope with any problems.
One of the main differences between CBT and gestalt therapy is that, at its core, gestalt therapy focuses on the present, while CBT may explore the past, present, or future.
Although it’s not always the case, CBT sessions are often more structured. Gestalt therapy is known for being mostly unstructured.
What is gestalt therapy for?
According to The Gestalt Centre , gestalt therapy can be effective in treating anxiety , stress , addiction , and depression .
Gestalt therapy may help you with:
- gaining awareness of yourself and the world
- exploring your feelings and behaviors
- improving your self-esteem and self-acceptance
- feeling empowered
- addressing conflicts or unresolved issues
- getting closure
- having deeper interpersonal relationships
- growing and developing as a person
- making practical changes in a safe space
- taking responsibility for your choices
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some frequently asked questions about gestalt therapy.
Are there any risks or side effects to gestalt therapy?
Like any talk therapy , gestalt therapy may bring up hard topics that could be challenging for you to talk through or remember. Working with a trusted therapist and setting boundaries can help.
In addition, gestalt therapy requires a very close therapist-client relationship, and it can take a lot of time to reach a point of closeness and comfort.
This type of therapy also isn’t as common as other types, so it may be harder to find a gestalt therapist near you.
Is gestalt therapy known for being confrontational?
Although a therapist should be honest with you, confrontation isn’t often part of modern gestalt therapy. If you ever feel like you’re experiencing too much confrontation in therapy, you can stop the session at any time.
A good therapist will listen to how you’re feeling and adjust their techniques to ensure that you don’t feel unsafe during the session. If they don’t, it may be time to find a different therapist .
Is gestalt therapy good for trauma recovery?
Gestalt therapy could work for some people with trauma because they’ll work on their overall self-development. However, it’s not commonly listed as a therapy for trauma recovery .
The American Psychological Association highly recommends therapies such as CBT, cognitive processing therapy , and prolonged exposure therapy for people with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
How can I find a gestalt therapist?
You can search for gestalt therapists in your area or for online therapists licensed in your state. You may also want to look at directories, such as:
Because a positive therapist-client relationship is important for gestalt therapy, you can also try asking a therapist you trust to incorporate gestalt techniques into your sessions.
Takeaway
Gestalt therapy is a type of humanistic therapy that focuses on the present, self-awareness, and a strong relationship with your therapist.
Although it’s been around for many years, gestalt therapy has never gained as much popularity as other therapies, such as CBT.
You can find directories and organizations to put you in contact with a gestalt therapist if these techniques sound interesting to you.
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