Reflection Paper on Gestalt Therapy

Counseling Theory and Practice

4/1/2013

Jesslyn Guenther Reflection Paper on Gestalt Therapy

I have to be truthful and say that my first impression of this theory was total dislike, especially after I watched Fritz Perls interview with Gloria. I thought he was extremely rude by the way he talked to Gloria, made fun of her, called her a phony and pointing his finger at her. I could never do that to a client and I think unless the client was tied down, most of them would get up and walk out on me if I treated them that way.

After I read about the Gestalt theory, especially the more contemporary approach where therapists are increasing emphasis on gentleness, decreased use of stereotypic exercises and greater trust in the client’s experiencing, I began to see some good points in the theory.

I agree with the goal that Gestalt Therapy is for clients to gain awareness of what they are experiencing and how they are doing it and that people are always in the process of becoming, remaking and rediscovering themselves. It’s good to focus on the here and now, but not specifically on that because the past has a lot to do with how you are now and it is also good to have future goals. I do believe that how we feel and act now can be from unresolved issues from our past.

I don’t particularly agree with playing out our dreams as if they are happening now by physically acting out the dream. When it came to Jerry interviewing Stan, I thought Jerry Jesslyn Guenther Reflection Paper on Gestalt Therapy Counseling Theory and Practice 4/1/13 did a good job of having Stan speak for the different people and different objects in his dream. I don’t think it would have been a good idea for Jerry to have Stan get down and pretend that he was cleaning the toilet. I see that as degrading to Stan.

I also have to say that watching Jerry using the Gestalt Theory was much easier to handle than watching Fritz. With Jerry, I could see how the theory would work because

Jerry had a very calming tone and he wasn’t rude to Stan in any way.

This theory has relevance to my development as a counselor because I agree that unfinished business from the past can manifest itself in present problems in functioning effectively. I will use this to help my clients come to terms with their unfinished past experiences and learn to deal with them so they can change their outlook on life for the better.

I also agree that it is very important to pay attention to the client’s body language and other non-verbal cues to see if there is a discrepancy between what they are saying and how they are acting, for example; if they say they are sad but they are smiling or if they say that they like someone or something but are clenching their fists, I will notice these things and talk to the client about them in a caring way and not be rude or hurtful like

Fritz Perls.

What I learned about myself as a person from this theory is that I have unfinished business from my past concerning my father and it affects my present day functioning and how I feel about many men. This is something I really need to work on and come to terms with to be an effective counselor. I have already talked to my peers and the people who I have met recently at Alanon meetings about my unfinished past experiences and what I learned about needing to deal with these experiences so I can move on with my life with a better outlook. I will also continue to reflect on these feelings with family and friends to help make me an effective counselor.