Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy was first developed in the 1940s by Fritz Perls and literally translates as ‘whole’. It focuses on the whole of an individual’s experience including their thoughts, feelings and actions, with the main goal being that the individual becomes more self-aware.

The therapist may use experiments such as creating patterns with objects and role-playing to help promote client’s awareness. As the individual talks through and explores their thoughts and feelings, they are also encouraged to notice their physical and emotional responses that may have provided barriers to communication with others thus exacerbating problems.