Gestalt Therapy 5
Running head: GESTALT THERAPY
Patricia Beier
Moraine Park Technical College
Jerry Van Kirk, M.Div., Th.M., ICS
The Gestalt Theory was an interesting topic to read and study. I actually, thought Fritz Perls had an interesting approach to therapy. For instance, the confrontation style that he used when working with clients could have an advantage as well as a disadvantage. According to Corey, Perls style was to get clients to experience their feelings in the now. He practiced the Gestalt therapy from a paternalistic approach. He suggests that “clients have to grow up, stand on their own two feet and deal with their live problems themselves” I agree with this technique to a certain degree. I believe that we are different and some individuals may need Perls approach to reach that self-awareness. Actually, I have known women in treatment that made comments such as “I needed someone who will be tough and call me out on my stuff.”
I agree that clients do need to stand up, grow up and take responsibility for their lives. However, I do believe that most clients may need some type of support system to help them with their problems. It seemed that Perls was a strict therapist who used his techniques to frustrate the client which led to the client open up and bring those repressed feelings into the present. He had a unique way of working with clients; however, today therapists practice a more gentle approach. Corey points out that presently Gestalt therapy “focus more of the dialogue and the relationship with the client and therapist.” This is called Relational Gestalt Therapy, supportive, empathetic, accepting, and challenging.
It seems as if some clients may benefit more from the relational therapy verses the confrontational method. However, I believe it depends on the individual client as to what style of therapy may work to help them to reach awareness. For instance, if a client went to therapy after a lost of a child, she may need support and empathy from the therapist. She may not need the therapist to be confrontational and suggesting that she grow up. The relational therapy can be extremely beneficial to the therapeutic process. It’s important to mention that respect and trust should be established in the client and therapist relationship.
Another point of the Gestalt theory that sparked my interest was the unfinished business. Corey mentions that “unfinished business can be manifested in unexpressed feelings such as resentments rage, hatred, pain, anxiety, grief, guilt and abandonment.” I can relate to this term unfinished business, especially the resentments, pain, and abandonment. For instance, when I was in treatment I became aware that I several feeling towards my mother, such as resentments. I resented her for not attending my basketball games or my eighth grade graduation. In my adult life it affected me because I would hold back sharing an event that I may have, because of the fear of no one showing up to support me. The Gestalt theory mentions that these issues can persist until the individual deals with them. I strongly agree with that statement. Additionally, I believe that until the client as well as the therapists takes care of their business, it could impede the therapeutic process. Actually, the whole relationship can come to a stand still if the client is stuck in the past and not willing to work on the here and now.
The contact and resistance to contact was also interesting to read. I agree that the therapist should connect and separate with the client. I know some therapist can become too involved in the relationship and it can become unhealthy for the client. I believe it is important to be in the present moment with the client and provide him with your undivided attention, but after the session it’s healthy for the client to detach from the situation. Unfortunately, some therapist ma y find themselves practicing in an unprofessional manner if they are not aware of there conduct. The resistance to contact was a term that I could relate to. I believe I used resistance because of fear and to cope with life. However, I was unaware that resistance can be a positive element of ones growth and not always a negative. I agree that certain resistance can lead to trouble. For instance, some people resist abiding by the laws and continue to drive while intoxicated. This type of behavior is clearly dysfunctional. The five different contact boundaries were also interesting, which were introjections, projection, retroflection, deflection and confluence.
The experiments were another interest in this theory that I enjoyed reading about. For example, the empty-chair technique was very interesting. At first I thought it was silly; however, I can see how this could be a valuable tool to use for certain clients. In using the empty chair or role playing could help the client become more in touch with his or her feelings. I’m not certain that this technique would be universal. For instance, some cultures don’t feel comfortable or may feel guilt or shame if they are asked to use the empty- chair technique. The method of the client being the top-dog may not be a tradition in his or her culture and they may not benefit from this style of therapy. The Gestalt theory emphasizes that the client need to relive the past in the here and now. I understand this concept of reliving the incidents; however, I wonder if the feelings are the exact or similar to the initial act. I question the validity of the experience, because it’s a different time. For instance, I felt sad, hurt and disappointed with my mother, but when I relived those times; my feelings were not as strong as they were when I was in middle school. In any event, the experience of reliving these events, reminds me of a type of trance and/or hypnosis. I believe there are positive results to this method and healing can take place, but I don’t think it’s necessary for all clients to partake in to begin to heal.
All in all, the Gestalt theory I believe that Perls approach to counseling had some advantages as well as disadvantages. However, it seems that today the counselors are more focused on being more supportive and empathetic when working with the clients. This style of therapy is geared on the here and now. It is an experimental approach that helps the client gets in touch with their feelings as if the event is happing at that particular moment. The main point in the sessions is for the client to eventually gain self- awareness.