Gestalt Theory: Overview

Frederick and Laura Perls were the founders of Gestalt therapy as a phenomenological-existential therapy in the 40-s of the last century. Both therapists and patients can learn the phenomenological awareness method. According to this method one should see the difference between perceptions, feelings, actions and interpretation and reshuffling attitudes existed before. Explanations alongside with interpretations are regarded not so trustworthy than perceptions and feelings. Patients and therapists dialogue in Gestalt therapy. It means that they communicate their phenomenological perspectives. Differences in perspectives are in the center of experimentation and continuous dialogue. The clients should understand what actions they are performing, in what way they are performing it, and how it is possible for them to alter themselves and to discover at that how to accept and appreciate themselves.

Gestalt therapy highlights more the process (what is taking place) and not the content (what is said about it). The stress is on what is happening, considered and felt right now rather than on what took place, might, could or should happen.