Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy is a humanistic, holistic, person-centered form of psychotherapy that is focused on an individual's present life and challenges rather than delving into past experiences. This approach stresses the importance of understanding the context of a person’s life and taking responsibility rather than placing blame.

It can be a little intimidating to consider starting therapy, especially if you imagine yourself sitting in the therapy room talking about the past. Although revisiting the past is an important part of identifying what needs to be healed, Gestalt therapy is an approach that focuses more on the "here and now" experience of the client.

What Does Gestalt Mean? 

Gestalt, by definition, refers to the form or shape of something and suggests that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. There is an emphasis on perception in this particular theory of counseling. Gestalt therapy gives attention to how we place meaning and make sense of our world and our experiences.

Within Gestalt therapy, the client has space to safely explore their experiences without fear of judgment. In fact, the clients are encouraged to not simply talk about their emotions or experiences, but to bring them into the room so they can be processed in real-time with the therapist.

A Different Approach 

Based on Gestalt psychology, this type of therapy was introduced in the 1940s to be an alternative to more traditional psychoanalysis. Gestalt therapy was developed by Fritz Perls, with the help of his wife at the time, Laura Perls. Both Fritz and Laura were trained in psychoanalysis and Gestalt psychology.

Along with others, such as Paul Goodman, they worked together to develop a style of therapy that was humanistic in nature. In other words, the approach focused on the person and the uniqueness of their experience.