Gestalt therapy is an unfamiliar form of psychotherapy used in rehab centers to address psychological issues.
It is an all-inclusive, individualized type of psychotherapy that focuses on the current life and challenges a person is experiencing rather than investigating past experiences. Additionally, this technique emphasizes the significance of understanding the background of an individual’s life and taking responsibility instead of putting blames.
Under ideal conditions, gestalt therapy can help people cope with any unpleasant restrained emotions or worries arising from current difficulties or past experiences. One of the primary goals of this therapy is allowing individuals to decide according to their true motives, rather than continuously suppressing issues or living up to irrational external standards. Usually, gestalt therapists try to transform patients’ entire lives by centering on every aspect of their mental state.
With many therapeutic approaches spending lots of time focusing on patients’ pasts and investigating events that may trigger current behavior, gestalt therapists also include such techniques. However, these therapists perform it in a more progressive means. This action happens by concentrating on how previous events make someone feel every day and eliminate restrained emotions.
Techniques Used in Gestalt Therapy
Gestalt therapy professionals use various techniques while attending their patients. Some of the methods might be deemed unusual by other therapy rehab centers. For instance, they may focus a lot on physical sensations related to emotions and try to educate patients on the meaning of those sensations. Ideally, once patients recognize their senses, they can learn to manage their emotional disorders and act towards them positively.
The other popular method therapist used in gestalt therapy is role-playing. Role-play is a crucial technique that teaches patients how to cope with their past. Usually, patients are requested to pretend to communicate with invisible past people and express their feelings towards them. Also, therapists encourage them to feel real emotions during the process, which serves as an excellent simulation.
Additionally, gestalt therapy includes lots of dream analysis since therapists believe dreams sometimes communicate details about the subconscious mind. Usually, the process involves dream therapy handled in different methods, with its main elements being dream diaries. Also, therapists can help their patients interpret their dreams in this technique.
There are other additional techniques apart from these.
Benefits of Gestalt Therapy
Various conditions which gestalt therapy can treat include:
- Depression
- Bipolar disorder
- Anxiety disorders
- Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders
- Substance abuse and addiction
- Chronic stress
Additional potential benefits may include:
- Increased self-esteem and self-efficacy
- Increase in self-awareness and the ability to live in present conditions
- Improved self-acceptance
- Solving relationship issues and conflicts among families and couples
- Increased emotional understanding
- Enhanced self-control and mindfulness
- Promotes inner calm and serenity
- Better communication skills
- Ability to monitor and control mental states
- Better tolerance for negative emotions
- Willingness to try new things
- A greater sense of personal freedom
Final Words from the Recover
According to the founder of gestalt therapy, self-awareness promotes healing. As therapists work to heal and integrate self-aspects parts in people, they can eventually become healthy individuals.
If you want to confirm whether gestalt therapy can address your psychological needs, ensure to check the available rehab centers near you or a mental health professional offering it. Also, inquire whether you can benefit from it in other ways apart from the ones listed above and the best approach perfect for your needs.