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Gestalt is a German word which does not translate directly into English.
It refers to a complete and organised whole, unique to its individual
context. So, Gestalt therapy attends to the whole person – mind,
body and emotions – in their context, and everything that happens
in the session may be relevant. Gestalt therapy places great value on
attending to the here and now.
Although my core psychotherapy training is in Gestalt, I have a background in Integrative Counselling. I seek to integrate the best thinking and practice from a number of other approaches into my work, while keeping faithful to the spirit of Gestalt.
What excites me about Gestalt therapy is the way in which people make connections. This comes from my belief that we all need a sense of connection – with ourselves, with others, and with our environment. A good sense of connection can be a source of nourishment, affirmation, inspiration and growth. For many of us, at certain times in our lives it isn’t easy to achieve this. Then feelings of emptiness, anxiety, chaos or isolation may arise.
As a Gestalt therapist I work to raise awareness of individual patterns of connection and disconnection. An exciting approach to developing awareness is through Mindfulness, which I introduce to many people who find it helpful. The therapeutic relationship becomes a good vehicle for understanding the process of connection and disconnection as therapy progresses. This enables awareness of how deep hopes and fears can influence relationships. I enjoy helping people restore a sense of themselves through their body, a connection that is fundamental to how we experience ourselves in the world, but which is often neglected. Through deeper awareness and the support of a restored sense of connection, new solutions to life’s challenges emerge.
Within the therapeutic relationship I invite clients to become more aware of who they are and may expand that awareness by trying different behaviours. Often subtle differences are experienced as new possibilities.