Understand how Gestalt therapy works

Gestalt therapy, also known as form psychology, had as its main developers the psychotherapists Friederich Salomon Perls and Lore Perls. The approach, which is centered in the present, helps the patient to focus on their current situation rather than recapitulating past events.

Another feature of therapy Gestalt is the global study of behavior, in which the general conditions that alter the perception of the stimulus are taken into account. “To support this idea, Gestalt theorists based themselves on the ‘Theory of Isomorphism’, which is based on the unity of the universe, that is, a part is always related to the whole. This phenomenon of perception is guided by the search for closure, symmetry and regularity”, details Sandra Regina Rüdiger, psychologist, lecturer and writer.

Techniques used

As Sandra Regina Rüdiger reports, the techniques most used in Gestalt therapy are:

• empty chair: the patient reproduces an encounter with a situation or person, in order to get in touch with the emotional event;
• Non-verbal representations: through an object or body position, the patient represents his current situation;
• Identification: the patient presents himself as an object, image, feeling or even as another person.

Psychotherapy for everyone

Gestalt therapy is indicated for all age groups and for all groups, such as children, adolescents, adults, seniors, couples, families and single people, according to psychologist and hypnologist Myriam Durante. However, in the case of children, the professional points out that the most recommended thing is that they start this type of psychotherapy from 5 years old.

Sandra Regina Rüdiger adds that, despite being suggested for everyone, the gestalt approach should be considered mainly for those who “seek to work on contact and recognition of their own feelings”.

duration of treatment

In general, the duration of treatment with the Gestalt Approach varies from person to person. Myriam Durante comments that some patients already show improvements after 5 consultations, while others only manage to achieve the benefits of Gestalt after months or years.

Different benefits of Gestalt therapy

In addition to promoting quality of life, strengthening self-esteem and helping to treat mental disorders such as anxiety, depression and stress, this therapeutic approach it also enables other benefits for the patient.

“Gestalt therapy helps to take the first steps towards self-awareness and knowledge of the respective behavior in certain situations”, explains Sandra Regina Rüdiger. With this, according to Myriam Durante, it is possible to make the individual understand that he is solely responsible for his own happiness.

Benefits for children and teens

In addition to general benefits, Gestalt therapy also offers specific advantages for children and adolescents. According to Myriam Durante, this therapeutic approach enables the reorientation of contact functions, such as seeing, hearing, feeling and speaking, in order to support a child-juvenile development focused on the real needs of the body.

In this way, explains the psychologist, the child or adolescent will be able to lead a life that is not based on family perceptions, “in which labels such as ‘he is an aggressive child’, ‘he does not like to study’, ‘he is very shy’,’ doesn’t talk to anyone’, among others, create a condition that distorts the person’s image of themselves”, he says.

Use of medication during the therapeutic process

Depending on the case, the use of medication is necessary during gestalt treatment. However, it must be remembered that a psychologist cannot prescribe any type of medication, as this is a task of psychiatrists.

For Sandra Regina Rüdiger, what should happen is an alignment between psychology and psychiatry professionals. That is, if there is a suspicion that the patient needs to use medication, the psychologist must refer him to the psychiatrist, but without interrupting the therapeutic consultations.

Differences between Gestalt therapy and other approaches

The main feature that differentiates the Gestalt approach from other therapies is its focus on the present. “Instead of simply talking about what the patient felt, Gestalt suggests bringing emotions and experiences to the present, to the now, through techniques that can reframe pain and trauma”, exemplifies Myriam Durante.