Gestalt Therapy

by Gordon Wheeler, Lena Axelsson

Gestalt Therapy provides an introduction to the theory, historical evolution, research, and practice of this process-oriented approach to psychotherapy.

Gestalt therapy arose as a reaction to psychodynamism and behaviorism, the dominant approaches of the mid-twentieth century.  Its major tenets — a rejection of traditional notions of objectivity, a radical (for the time) focus on building rapport between therapist and client as a relationship of equals, careful attention to the bodily sensations that accompany strong emotions, and a guiding belief in the therapy room as a problem-solving laboratory in which experimental approaches towards interpersonal relations can be attempted in a safe setting — have been widely incorporated into a broad range of approaches today.

Open-ended and inquisitive rather than a rigid, manualized set of techniques, Gestalt is a set of guiding principles that inspire an active, present-focused, relational stance on the part of the therapist. This essential primer, amply illustrated with case examples featuring diverse clients, is perfect for graduate students studying theories of therapy and counseling, as well as for seasoned practitioners interested in understanding how this approach has evolved and how it might be used in their own practice.
 

Genres: Psychology, Counselling

167 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2014

Reviews

[Darryl Knudsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made accessible the sometimes challenging concepts of gestalt theory, which undergird so much of our contemporary understanding of intersubjective reality and of the ways that rigid, patterned ways of responding to phenomena can lead to potential-limiting and sometimes dysfunctional behavior and thought.

I found it complemented greatly the other broad branches I find myself interested in such as “existential-humanistic therapy” and Buddhist teaching about constructions of mind. I also think it will complement my interest in narrative therapy.

The “evaluation section” was a bit disappointing because of the apparent state of research. I understand the challenges and accept the authors’ ersatz approach to research by correlating research outcomes in effective therapeutic process (therapeutic alliance, etc.) with core principles of Gestalt theory and therapy, but it would seem that such an influential school and theory would have more and better research studies to support it.

Overall, this book left me wanting to go deeper in my explorations and learning of the introduced concepts and their application.

So fun!

[Jasmin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually read Gestalt Therapy by The Centre for Excellence in Spotify Premium, but that book isn’t on Goodreads so I am using this book as the platform.

It was a good refresher and I learned some new things. Glad I read it. I have a lot of respect for Gestalt Therapy and whilst I’m not trained in it I feel I do draw on its principles a lot in my work.

[Candace Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

APA 'Cole's' notes. Great!

[Marina Riker-kucic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great introduction to gestalt therapy as therapy of situation.