Gestalt Theory
Gestalt theory is a psychological concept that views learning as a reorganization of a whole situation. Gestalt therapy is a psychotherapeutic technique that focuses on the human body operating as a whole with a complex mixture of behaviors, experiences, and emotions. The vital therapeutic goals of gestalt theory are wholeness and integration, unfinished business, and awareness (O’Leary, 2013). Wholeness refers to the individual’s mind, body, and soul as one and integration refers to how these parts are together and how an individual blends with the environment. Awareness in Gestalt therapy refers to how individuals are familiar with their situation and how they control themselves in their environments. To achieve awareness one has to be conscious with the present and forget about the past, take responsibility for their actions other than blaming others, and having contact with the environment by being observant. Unfinished business refers to people who do not finish things in life. Gestalts therapy helps in assisting people in completing their unfinished businesses. Gestalts therapy stresses on the development of clients’ self-awareness and personal responsibility and assisting in restoring balance in their environment.
Gestalt therapists are mainly concerned with assisting clients in achieving self-awareness in their current state and not necessarily changing the clients. To meet the goal, therapists use a language that will encourage change in the client. Therapists emphasize use of statements to keep the conversation between them and the client going, use of present tense to focus on the present and encourage the client to use “I” to avoid blaming others. Therapists are also keen on body language since it provides additional information on how the client is feeling. Locating emotions in the body helps the clients portray awareness of physical feelings and emotions. Therapists challenge or frustrate clients. Challenging clients on sensitivity and empathy on issues facing the clients benefit in being aware of the realities they are facing. Therapists also draw attention to the client’s hesitation in talking about something unpleasant. Drawing attention helps in creating self-awareness and tackling the issue.