Gestalt TherapyFritz Perls

Chapter 9

The Case of Jessica

30-year-old divorced African American female

Mother of 5-year-old sonSelf-referred for therapy due to:

Violence in current relationship

Appears to be open to counseling

Basic Philosophy

Neutral view of humansHumanistic Existential

Emphasize individual choice and responsibilityHolistic:

People can’t be separated from their environmentPeople cannot be divided into parts – there is no

separation between the mind and body

Human Motivation

Behavior is motivated by the drive to satisfy:Biological needsPsychological needsInterpersonal needs

Humans regulate behavior to facilitate growth

Central Constructs

ContactAssimilationContact Boundary

NeedsGestalt

FigureGround

Central Constructs

The cycle of awareness

Central Constructs

PolaritiesContact Disturbance

IntrojectionProjection ConfluenceRetroflectionIsolationDeflection

Theory of the Person

Initially a variation of the developmental theory of psychoanalysis

Current gestalt theory has little developmental or personality theoryChildhood events that inhibit satisfaction of

needs are acknowledged

Psychological Health and Dysfunction

HealthIs interconnected with the environmentIs aware of needs Is able to satisfy needs Takes responsibility for choices Assigns meaning to experience

Psychological Health and Dysfunction

Dysfunction (Dis-Ease)Denying what is unpleasantEmotions are symbolic of unmet needsHas unfinished business

Nature of Therapy

No Formal AssessmentsRole of Counselor

AuthenticRemains aware of his/her experience of the client

Role of ClientContinuously engages in the process of self-discoveryTakes what is offered in therapy and tests it to see if it

fits other aspects of his/her life

Nature of Therapy

GoalsClient is to gain awarenessClient applies what is learned in therapy to

his/her life

Process of Therapy

RelationshipProvides a medium through which awareness is

explored

Increase AwarenessInterruptions in awareness are what brings the client to

therapy

ExperimentAllow clients to try things out in the safe atmosphere of

therapy

Process of Therapy

TechniquesTherapist self-

disclosureDialogsPlaying the projectionExaggerationReversals

Techniques Dream workWorking with polaritiesAwareness trainingMaking the roundsI Take Responsibility

Evaluation

QualitiesPreciseTestableStimulatingEmpirical validity

Research SupportOutcome researchTheory-testing research

Issues of Individual and Cultural Diversity

ProsCounselor works with

the client in the context of his/her environment

Awareness and personal power

ConsIndividualismExpressivenessSelf-disclosureLack of focus on

content