Transference, Countertransference and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Transference, Countertransference and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Cartwright, C. (2004). Transference, Countertransference and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. New Zealand Clinical Psychologist, 14(2), 18-23. Transference, Countertransference and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Claire Cartwright In my training in the early 1980s, I was psychotherapies have beneficial effects on a introduced (not in-depth) to CBT, range of client problems and that the behaviour therapy, family therapy and difference in outcomes across a range of gestalt therapy. I was also introduced to the therapeutic approaches “are not as psychodynamic ideas around transference pronounced as might be expected” (p.180). and countertransference. This paper briefly This evidence of the effectiveness of a reflects on ideas that I have developed over number of different therapy approaches has a number of years about potential ways of been consistent over the last three decades bringing together psychodynamic and (Lambert & Ogles, 2004). traditional cognitive-behavioural approaches These reviewers (Lambert & Ogles, 2004) when working with clients who do not also confirm the previously established appear to benefit from traditional CBT. It importance of the therapeutic relationship as focuses on integrating ideas of transference a component of treatment effectiveness. As and counter-transference into cognitive Lambert and Ogles (2004) state: conceptualisations and uses hypothetical cases for illustration. These relationship factors are probably crucial even in the more technical therapies I welcome comment. Email: that generally ignore relationship factors and [email protected] emphasize the importance of technique in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy 1 is the their theory of change. (p. 181). dominant therapy approach practised by Despite the ongoing evidence of the Clinical Psychologists in New Zealand and importance of the therapy relationship, and taught in our Clinical Training programmes. CBT’s emphasis on empirical investigation CBT approaches continue to develop and and validation, CBT theorists and therapists treatment outcome research provides continue to pay less attention to the quality evidence that CBT approaches are effective and the meaning of the client’s relationship with a wide range of presenting problems with the therapist, relative to other (Hollon & Beck, 2004). CBT provides approaches. As an example of this lack of accessible models for working attention, two key CBT texts commonly therapeutically. These are often common used and widely respected (Beck,1995; sense and user-friendly for clinicians and for Padesky & Greenberger, 1995) make only the many clients who respond well to them. brief mention of the importance of the Whilst there is substantial empirical support therapeutic relationship. Beck, Freeman and for the effectiveness of CBT approaches associates (1990) provide more in-depth (Hollon & Beck, 2004), Lambert and Ogles discussion of working within the therapy (2004) conclude in their decade review of relationship with clients with personality research into treatment outcomes, that many disorders and use the terms transference and countertransference. The therapeutic relationship is also given a central position by Young, Klosko and Weishaar (2003) who combine cognitive, psychodynamic, 1 The term CBT will be used throughout to refer to attachment and Gestalt models in their Cognitive and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies. schema-focused therapy. However, these authors do not directly discuss the examined from a CBT perspective. For psychodynamic ideas of transference and example, a client’s core beliefs may be: “I countertransference. am unlovable” and “Others reject me”. The In this paper, I talk about ways that the client presents to the therapist seeking relief concepts of transference and from the impact that these beliefs have on countertransference can be applied by CBT her life and relationships. However, beliefs therapists in their work with clients. Before that operate in daily life can also be triggered doing so, however, it is important to briefly in therapy. The therapist may remind the consider how these terms are used. client of some-one from the past, or the Transference and countertransference can client may experience memories or emotions be regarded as cognitive-affective reactions associated with past experiences. Having or responses that occur within the regular sessions with a therapist who is therapeutic relationship. Transference refers interested, concerned and accepting in itself to the process by which the client brings can trigger transference responses. When a childhood patterns of relating into the client experiences a transference reaction in therapeutic relationship. At any given a therapy session, the therapist may notice moment, activation of a transference changes in the client. As examples, she may response manifests in how a client feels look away, seem to withdraw or appear to towards the therapist, thinks about the try harder to please the therapist. If the therapist notices a change in the client, s/he therapist and construes the therapists’ attitude towards him or herself. can then consider the possibility that the Countertransference, on the other hand, client is experiencing a transference reaction refers to the therapist’s cognitive-affective towards her. If this is so, it is possible that responses to the client. Sometimes the the client’s core belief(s) have been countertransference can be described as activated. The client may be expecting personal as the therapist’s reaction to the criticism or rejection from the therapist, client is based on his/her own personal similar to what she has experienced in other dysfunctional beliefs, or unresolved issues. earlier and sometimes current relationships. Objective countertransference refers to Perhaps the most important contribution to therapist’s reactions to the client’s understanding the complexities of the transferences. One way of checking to see if therapeutic relationship is the the therapist’s response constitutes an psychodynamic argument that objective objective countertransference is to think countertransference can be a source of about whether other therapists would be valuable information to the therapist who likely to have similar feelings in relationship attends to his or her own reactions to clients to the client. Many clinicians, for example, (see Brown & Pedder, 1991: Jacobs, 1999). would experience some negative feelings The notion of countertransference can also towards a client who is always late, cancels be integrated with CBT. If the therapist at the last minute or is irregular in payment. considers the possibility of a personal In the case of a negative personal countertransference and put this aside, then countertransference (negative feelings the question arises: What is it about the towards the client), the therapist can use a client that is leading me to feel this way. As CBT approach to work through her own a therapist gains experience, it becomes automatic negative thoughts and personal easier to distinguish between personal and beliefs that underlie the countertransference objective countertransference responses. If (Beck et al, 1990; Davis & Wright, 1994) in a therapist’s reaction to a client is order to protect the client from any negative unexpected or out of keeping with how s/he response. normally responds or feels towards the In psychodynamic therapy, therapists client, s/he can alerted to another observe and monitor clients’ and their own possibility: Is there something happening responses within the therapeutic with this client that is not apparent to me? relationship. These processes can also be Has a transference reaction been triggered in the client? If so, what might that be? How cognitive responses related to her beliefs might this relate to the formulation? that she is incompetent and cannot cope To take an hypothetical example, imagine a alone. On the other hand, she might client whom you have begun to see a few consider the above but decide to provide the weeks before Christmas. She has a history client with the name of another therapist of mild chronic depression but this has who is willing to see the client during this become worse in the last few months since time, if the client feels unable to cope. her best friend went overseas. She cries a To further illustrate the use of lot through sessions and although she countertransference reactions, we can appears to accept the CBT approach, she consider a hypothetical male client who seems to prefer to talk to you about her experienced damning criticism as a child, as worries and resists doing the agenda and well as public humiliations. This client is in working through it. She says she is getting a a work situation that he dislikes intensely lot out of the sessions, it is just so good to and has wanted to change his job for three have some-one to talk to, and she does not years. However, he has not done so. He know how she would cope without seeing gets frustrated with himself and blames you. As a therapist you find yourself liking others whom he sees as stopping him from the client, appreciating her admiration and making changes. As therapist, you find find yourself thinking that whilst you have yourself feeling moments of annoyance with planned to have a 4 week holiday over him. These feelings come up suddenly and Christmas, you might make an exception for briefly during sessions. You attempt to not this client. In this instance, the let them show as you realise this would be countertransference can be described
Recommended publications
  • Theory and Practice of Counseling and Psychotherapy: the Case of Stan and Lecturettes
    chapter 8 Gestalt Therapy introduction t 5IF3PMFPG$POGSPOUBUJPO key concepts t (FTUBMU5IFSBQZ*OUFSWFOUJPOT t "QQMJDBUJPOUP(SPVQ$PVOTFMJOH t 7JFXPG)VNBO/BUVSF gestalt therapy from a t 4PNF1SJODJQMFTPG(FTUBMU5IFSBQZ5IFPSZ multicultural perspective t 5IF/PX t 6OmOJTIFE#VTJOFTT t 4USFOHUIT'SPNB%JWFSTJUZ1FSTQFDUJWF t $POUBDUBOE3FTJTUBODFTUP $POUBDU t 4IPSUDPNJOHT'SPNB%JWFSTJUZ1FSTQFDUJWF t &OFSHZ BOE#MPDLTUP&OFSHZ gestalt therapy applied the therapeutic process to the case of stan t 5IFSBQFVUJD(PBMT summary and evaluation t 5IFSBQJTUT'VODUJPOBOE3PMF t 4VNNBSZ t $MJFOUT&YQFSJFODFJO5IFSBQZ t $POUSJCVUJPOTPG(FTUBMU5IFSBQZ t 3FMBUJPOTIJQ#FUXFFO5IFSBQJTUBOE$MJFOU5IFS t -JNJUBUJPOTBOE$SJUJDJTNTPG(FTUBMU5IFSBQZ application: therapeutictherape where to go from here techniques and proceduresproc t 3FDPNNFOEFE4VQQMFNFOUBSZ3FBEJOHT tt 5IF&YQFSJNFOUJO(FTUBMU5IFSBQZ5 IF &YQFSJNFO t 3FGFSFODFTBOE4VHHFTUFE3FBEJOHT tt 1SFQBSJO1SFQBSJOH$MJFOUTGPS(FTUBMU&YQFSJNFOUT$MJFOUT GPS (FTUBMU &Y 210 Copyright 2011 Cengage Learning. All Rights Reserved. May not be copied, scanned, or duplicated, in whole or in part. Due to electronic rights, some third party content may be suppressed from the eBook and/or eChapter(s). Editorial review has deemed that any suppressed content does not materially affect the overall learning experience. Cengage Learning reserves the right to remove additional content at any time if subsequent rights restrictions require it. Fritz Perls / LAURA PERLS FREDERICK S. (“FRITZ”) PERLS, MD, PhD Perls and several of his colleagues established (1893–1970), was the main originator and devel- the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy in 1952. oper of Gestalt therapy. Born in Berlin, Germany, Eventually Fritz left New York and settled in Big into a lower-middle-class Jewish family, he later Sur, California, where he conducted workshops and identified himself as a source of much trouble for seminars at the Esalen Institute, carving out his his parents.
    [Show full text]
  • The Historical Roots of Gestalt Therapy Theory
    The Historical Roots of Gestalt Therapy Theory Rosemarie Wulf The theory of Gestalt therapy is itself a new Gestalt, though it does not contain many new thoughts. What its founders, Fritz and Laura Perls and Paul Goodman, did was to weave a new synthesis out of existing concepts. The background of this new Gestalt is composed of concepts and elements from different bodies of knowledge and disciplines. I would like to give you an idea of the cultural and historical situation that is the Zeitgeist (the spirit of the time) that prevailed during the lifetimes of the founders of Gestalt therapy. What kind of theories and traditions did Fritz and Laura come into contact with? Where did they find ideas that were in line with their own, what other ideas did they reject in their search for answers to the fundamental questions that are either implicitly or explicitly contained in every theory of psychotherapy? What is a human being? How does he or she function? Why do we exist? Is there a reason to exist? How should we behave toward each other? How does psychological illness develop? Firstly the background: the wider field, an overview of the Zeitgeist. In the second part, I will present the various contacts Fritz and Laura Perls had with specific persons and their ideas or theoretical models. The beginning of the 20th century was characterized by an explosive development of science and technology. The era of automation and cybernetics had begun. The rise of nuclear and quantum physics led to radical revolutionary change. Biology, chemistry and medicine also began to make rapid progress.
    [Show full text]
  • Towards a More Deeply Embodied Approach in Gestalt Therapy 1
    Studies in Gestalt Therapy 2(2), 43-56 James I. Kepner Towards a More Deeply Embodied Approach in Gestalt Therapy 1 This article critiques and assesses the development of body-oriented work in gestalt therapy. Strengths of the gestalt therapy approach are highlighted as work with the "actual," and holding an integral viewpoint. The author criti­ ques limitations in the field involving a narrow epistemology of the founding perspective, the inadequacy of awareness alone for psychophysical change, the inclusion of structural concepts, and the need for physical methodology including touch and movement and other somatic methods. A brief model is offered for appreciating the multi-level complexity of a more fully embodied approach. Key words: Body-oriented work, gestalt therapy, epistemology, gestalt therapy training, non-dualistic approach, self, organism/ environment field, figure/ ground, structured ground, awareness, patterns and organization, developmental theory. Borfy Process: A Gestalt Approach to Working With the Borfy in P.rychotherapy (Kepner, 1987) was published 21 years ago. The book was my attempt to articulate a fuller body-oriented psychotherapy from the gestalt therapy ap­ proach. Gestalt therapy certainly had interest in body process and experience but, up to that time, the actual methodology for body-oriented practice was very limited. I found the ways in which gestalt therapists utilized more inten­ sive body therapeutic techniques to be a kind of grafting of often incompati­ ble methods or approaches onto gestalt therapy technique. This often re­ sulted in an unintegrated hodge-podge. As a "Young Turk" at the brash age of 34, I also had the motivation to "correct" my elders and teachers in the gestalt therapy world who, I thought, did not go far enough in working with the body.
    [Show full text]
  • Benefits, Limitations, and Potential Harm in Psychodrama
    Benefits, Limitations, and Potential Harm in Psychodrama (Training) © Copyright 2005, 2008, 2010, 2013, 2016 Rob Pramann, PhD, ABPP (Group Psychology) CCCU Training in Psychodrama, Sociometry, and Group Psychotherapy This article began in 2005 in response to a new question posed by the Utah chapter of NASW on their application for CEU endorsement. “If any speaker or session is presenting a fairly new, non-traditional or alternative approach, please describe the limitations, risks and/or benefits of the methods taught.” After documenting how Psychodrama is not a fairly new, non-traditional or alternative approach I wrote the following. I have made minor updates to it several times since. As a result of the encouragement, endorsement, and submission of it by a colleague it is listed in the online bibliography of psychodrama http://pdbib.org/. It is relevant to my approach to the education/training/supervision of Group Psychologists and the delivery of Group Psychology services. It is not a surprise that questions would be raised about the benefits, limitations, and potential harm of Psychodrama. J.L. Moreno (1989 – 1974) first conducted a psychodramatic session on April 1, 1921. It was but the next step in the evolution of his philosophical and theological interests. His approach continued to evolve during his lifetime. To him, creativity and (responsible) spontaneity were central. He never wrote a systematic overview of his approach and often mixed autobiographical and poetic material in with his discussion of his approach. He was a colorful figure and not afraid of controversy (Blatner, 2000). He was a prolific writer and seminal thinker.
    [Show full text]
  • WHAT IS GESTALT THERAPY Violet Oaklander, Ph.D
    WHAT IS GESTALT THERAPY Violet Oaklander, Ph.D. Basically, Gestalt therapy is a process-oriented mode of therapy that focuses attention on the healthy, integrated functioning of the total organism comprised of the senses, the body, the emotions and the intellect. It was originally developed by Frederick (Fritz) and Laura Perls in the 1940’s and has at its base principles from psychoanalytic theory, Gestalt psychology, various humanistic theories, as well as aspects of phenomenology, existentialism and Reichian body therapy. From these sources, and others, a large body of theoretical concepts and principles have evolved underlying the practice of Gestalt therapy. A major focus is to help clients become aware of what they are doing, how they are doing it, and how they can change themselves, and at the same time, to learn to accept and value themselves. It focuses more on process than content ( though content may be used as examples of one’s process.) What is directly perceived, felt and experienced is considered more relevant than explanations and interpretations. A famous misconception is that Gestalt therapy is the empty chair technique. It is not uncommon to hear someone say, “I use Gestalt therapy all the time,” referring to this technique. It would seem ludicrous to think that I, for example, trained to be a Gestalt therapist for more than three years at the Los Angeles Gestalt Therapy Institute to learn this technique and nothing else. Moreover, there exist at this time scores of books and articles discussing the principles and concepts of Gestalt therapy. Because of the extensive, comprehensive nature of this therapy, a short summary as this could not describe the basic concepts involved.
    [Show full text]
  • Gestalt Therapy Allen Richard Barlow University of Wollongong
    University of Wollongong Research Online University of Wollongong Thesis Collection University of Wollongong Thesis Collections 1983 The derivation of a psychological theory: Gestalt therapy Allen Richard Barlow University of Wollongong Recommended Citation Barlow, Allen Richard, The derivation of a psychological theory: Gestalt therapy, Doctor of Philosophy thesis, Department of Psychology, University of Wollongong, 1983. http://ro.uow.edu.au/theses/1685 Research Online is the open access institutional repository for the University of Wollongong. For further information contact the UOW Library: [email protected] THE DERIVATION OF A PSYCHOLOGICAL THEORY : GESTALT THERAPY A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the degree of » DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY from THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG by ALLEN RICHARD BARLOW, B.A. (Hons.l) DEPARTMENT OF PSYCHOLOGY (1983) -i- TABLE OF CONTENTS Page List of Tables xiv Acknowledgements xv xvi Abstract xvii CHAPTER 1: Introduction 1.1 The aim of this dissertation 1 1.2 Principles of Gestalt therapy 7 CHAPTER 2: Sigmund Freud and psychoanalysis 2.1 Biography 12 2.2 Difficulties in comparing Freud's and Perls' works 13 2. 3 Freud ' s influence on Perls 16 2.4 Structure of the personality 20 2.4.1 Relationship between the three subsystems 22 2.5 Conscious/unconscious 24 2.6 Instincts 28 2. 7 Defence mechanism; 30 2.7.1 Regression 31 2.7.2 Repression 32 2.7.3 Reaction-formation 33 2.7.4 Introj ection 34 2.7.5 Proj ection , 35 2.7.6 Turning against the self (retroflection) 36 2.7.7 Rationalization 37 2.7.8 Denial 37 2.7.9 Identification 38 2.
    [Show full text]
  • GESTALT THEORY an International Multidisciplinary Journal Journal of the Society for Gestalt Theory and Its Applications (GTA)
    GESTALT THEORY An International Multidisciplinary Journal Journal of the Society for Gestalt Theory and its Applications (GTA) Volume 43 • Number 1 • March 2021 Editorial Gerhard Stemberger Psychotherapy: The Challenge and Power of Consistency This issue of Gestalt Theory presents coherently compiled some essential basic concepts of Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy for the first time in English and thus beyond the German-speaking circle1. A side effect of such a systematic pre- sentation might be that it also helps to avoid the frequent confusion with Gestalt therapy, which has a similar sounding name, but most of its forms differ substan- tially in its basic concepts. A brief history of Gestalt theoretical psychotherapy is given at the end of this introductory article. In view of the elementary role of cognitive processes for human experience and behavior, the first paper in this issue highlights the epistemological orientation of Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy, which underlies all sub-concepts of the meth- od from personality theory to praxeology: “Critical Realism: The Epistemic Posi- tion of Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy,” by Katharina Sternek. The second contribution of Bernadette Lindorfer’ deals with a core component of personality theory in Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy: “Personality Theory in Gestalt Theoretical Psychotherapy: Kurt Lewin’s Field Theory and his Theory of Systems in Tension Revisited”. This contribution is complemented by a critical synopsis of the views on ego and self in Gestalt theory and their heuristic poten- tial for psychotherapy: “Ego and Self in Gestalt theory” (G. Stemberger). 1 Up to now, there have only been scattered publications on individual aspects from the field of Gestalt The- oretical Psychotherapy in English: H.-.J.
    [Show full text]
  • GESTALT Play Therapy
    GESTALT Play Therapy | FELICIA CARROLL, LMFT, RPT-S & VALENTE OROZCO, LCSW, PPS, RPT-S n the 1970s, Violet Oaklander, PhD, was a classroom teacher Organismic Regulation of emotionally disturbed children while she trained to Humans are organisms that strive for life and connection. The become a Gestalt therapist. She used creative modalities organism, using the functions of contact (e.g., senses, movement, Iwith her students, including clay, puppets, sand tray, drawing, to emotion, and problem solving), directs its awareness towards support greater awareness and integration. One of many originators identifying a need/want. With adequate self-support and of Gestalt Therapy, Frederick Perls, MD (1975), wrote, “The criterion environmental support, the need/want can be satisfied within given of a successful treatment is the achievement of that amount of conditions. Yet, the child can interrupt this natural process to adapt integration that leads to its own development” (pp. 52-53). In healthy to the demands of socialization, which can result in symptoms. growth and development, the child’s behavior is purposeful, balanced, The therapist attends to the child’s adaptations of somatic states, flowing from one experience to another. That is, it is integrated. emotional expression, and problem-solving skills. She provides support for him to re-experience his process of organismic regulation. Oaklander, like many child therapists before her, applied theoretical As the therapy progresses, the child becomes more integrated with a and clinical concepts to the endeavor of therapy with children (Carroll, greater sense of well-being and aliveness (Oaklander, 1978, 2006). 2009a). In her book, Windows to our Children: A Gestalt Therapy Approach to Children and Adolescents, Oaklander (1978) presented Dialogic Process the Gestalt approach to therapy with children and has inspired child Gestalt play therapy is a mutually engaging relationship.
    [Show full text]
  • Fundamentals of the Gestalt Approach to Counselling
    2 Fundamentals of the Gestalt Approach to Counselling The therapeutic relationship Gestalt practitioners affirm the primary values of the living existential encounter between two real human beings, both of whom are risking themselves in the dialogue of the healing process. The central focus is the moment-by-moment process of the relationship between the client and the counsellor. In this encounter, the goal is a full and complete authen- tic meeting between these two people. (Naturally such a meeting may include each experiencing existential separation and essential aloneness.) The development of the capacity for genuine relationship forms the core of the healing process and has been described by Hycner (1985) as a rela- tionship basically characterised by dialogue – a dialogic relationship. As they work through the many stage-posts of their journey, the client gains emotional resources, security and freedom, and the counsellor comes to be seen more and more as a ‘real’ person. No longer is the counsellor experienced merely as a projective substitute for figures from the past, and no longer are past patterns habitually used in the present. Laura Perls has mentioned ‘that she was profoundly influenced by a personal meeting with Martin Buber, and that the true essence of Gestalt therapy was the relationship formed between therapist and client’ (Hycner, 1985: 27). Buber described this ‘I–Thou’ (‘Ich und Du’ in German) relationship as a genuine meeting between two unique people in which both openly respect the essential humanity of the other. Buber (1958/1984) 02-Clarkson with Cavicchia_Ch-02.indd 19 9/18/2013 11:58:42 AM 20 Gestalt Counselling in Action writes that there are two primary human attitudes, the ‘I–Thou’ relation- ship and the ‘I–It’ relationship.
    [Show full text]
  • Lo Transpersonal E Integral En Psicoterapia John Rowan
    Transpersonal and Integral in Psychotherapy John Rowan Transpersonal and Integral in Psychotherapy Lo Transpersonal e Integral en Psicoterapia John Rowan* British Psychological Society London, UK Abstract This paper delineates the Ken Wilber (2006) model of approaches to the world, including therapy. He calls it the All Quadrants All Levels (AQAL) approach, which includes the whole world in its boundaries. This means that we can now do justice to the whole of the client and all the connections that may be relevant. What I have done is to spell out the relevance of all this for therapy, and to add two levels which Wilber does not include in the model, even though he has described them in detail elsewhere. The result is a fuller model which is even more relevant to therapists, and particularly to transpersonal therapists. Key Words Transpersonal, Wilber, Quadrants, Levels, Therapy Resumen Este artículo describe el modelo descriptivo del mundo descrito por Ken Wilber (2006), incluyendo la terapia. Él lo llama Modelo de los Cuadrantes “Omnicuadrante, Omninivel” (AQAL), el cual comprende al mundo entero y sus límites. Esto significa que ahora podemos atender integralmente a todos los estados y conexiones que pueden ser relevantes en la persona. Lo que en este artículo desarrollo es una descripción minuciosa de la importancia que todo esto tiene, para la terapia. Además he añadido dos niveles, los cuales Wilber no incluye en el modelo, aunque los ha descrito en detalle en otro lugar. La conclusión es el resultado de un modelo más completo y relevante para terapeutas, especialmente para terapeutas transpersonales. Palabras Clave Transpersonal, Wilber, Cuadrantes, Niveles, Terapia Received: April 30, 2009 Accepted: May 14, 2009 © Journal of Transpersonal Research, 2009, Vol.
    [Show full text]
  • The SAGE Encyclopedia of Theory in Counseling and Psychotherapy
    The SAGE Encyclopedia of Theory in Counseling and Psychotherapy Gestalt Therapy Contributors: Robert W. Resnick Editors: Edward S. Neukrug Book Title: The SAGE Encyclopedia of Theory in Counseling and Psychotherapy Chapter Title: "Gestalt Therapy" Pub. Date: 2015 Access Date: June 16, 2015 Publishing Company: SAGE Publications, Inc. City: Thousand Oaks, Print ISBN: 9781452274126 Online ISBN: 9781483346502 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483346502.n156 Print pages: 457-463 ©2015 SAGE Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This PDF has been generated from SAGE knowledge. Please note that the pagination of the online version will vary from the pagination of the print book. SK Reviewers ©2015 SAGE Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SAGE knowledge http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483346502.n156 Gestalt therapy is an existentially based humanistic therapy arising out of Fritz and Laura Perls’s discrimination and integration of ideas from many traditions, philosophies, narratives, disciplines, and theories beginning in Germany in the 1920s. Born as a revision of Sigmund Freud’s theories, it has evolved into a major contributor to mainstream psychotherapy—from a psychoanalytical/biological/Aristotelian/ deterministic foundation to a humanistic/existential/experiential psychotherapy wherein restoration and holism replace dissection and fragmentation and phenomenology (personal meaning making) replaces interpretation. [p. 457 ↓ ] Gestalt is a German word that translates into English as “a whole,” “a pattern,” “an organization,” or “a configuration.” While the hallmark of Gestalt psychology is finding shared ways by which people organize their perceptions and phenomenology, the task of Gestalt therapy can be seen as becoming aware of and understanding the idiosyncratic organizing patterns of each individual.
    [Show full text]
  • Fritz Perls (1883–1970), Codeveloper (With His Wife, Linda Perls) of Gestalt Therapy, Was Born to Lower-Middle-Class German Jewish Parents in Berlin, Germany
    The SAGE Encyclopedia of Theory in Counseling and Psychotherapy Perls, Fritz Contributors: Robert W. Resnick Editors: Edward S. Neukrug Book Title: The SAGE Encyclopedia of Theory in Counseling and Psychotherapy Chapter Title: "Perls, Fritz" Pub. Date: 2015 Access Date: June 16, 2015 Publishing Company: SAGE Publications, Inc. City: Thousand Oaks, Print ISBN: 9781452274126 Online ISBN: 9781483346502 DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483346502.n271 Print pages: 762-765 ©2015 SAGE Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This PDF has been generated from SAGE knowledge. Please note that the pagination of the online version will vary from the pagination of the print book. SK Reviewers ©2015 SAGE Publications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. SAGE knowledge http://dx.doi.org/10.4135/9781483346502.n271 Fritz Perls (1883–1970), codeveloper (with his wife, Linda Perls) of Gestalt therapy, was born to lower-middle-class German Jewish parents in Berlin, Germany. He grew up before World War I and then lived through the chaos of the Weimar Republic—a time of great economic stress, hyperinflation, and [p. 762 ↓ ] the rise of Adolf Hitler and Nazism in the early 1930s. He served as a medical officer in the German army during World War I, developing an abhorrence for war and causing his politics to drift decidedly to the left. After completing medical school in 1920, Perls was living and working in Berlin, immersed in his friendship circle of artists, philosophers, poets, intellectuals, and, especially, members of the Bauhaus movement. He began his own psychoanalysis with Karen Horney, which was soon interrupted when Perls left Berlin in 1926 to work with Kurt Goldstein in Frankfurt.
    [Show full text]