THERAPY OPTION: INTEGRATIVE GESTALT THERAPY

The term Gestalt therapy derives from Gestalt psychology. It deals with how we humans perceive ourselves and our environment. It demonstrates our tendency not to perceive elements individually, but to place them into meaningful context. For example, when we are listening to music, we do not hear the individual notes, we hear a melody.

Sometimes, our manner of perception or action, though originally meaningful, may block us in our further development. Issues, also referred to as "gestalts", remain unresolved. Identifying them and resolving them is the therapy's primary purpose.

From a gestalt therapy perspective, therapy is not an encounter between a "knowing" therapist and an "ignorant" client, but between two people, who embark on a profound journey of discovery together. Every person is considered an expert for him/herself and responsible for his/her process of development and healing. An eye-level dialogue.

Gestalt therapists invite their clients to tell of their experiences. In the sheltered environment of therapy, however, they also encourage the client to bring what has been experienced into the present and to utilise the power of emotions. Aside from by dialog, this is achieved by means of creative methods, such as role play, or working with drawings, music or the body. The aim being to achieve better contact to oneself and the world.