Gestalt therapy
Selecting a therapist can be challenging. You might not know which therapist is best for you when browsing profile after profile online, each one filled with varied psycho-babble that might not ring a bell. Wouldn’t it be helpful if these profiles included a glossary of all the therapy terms used? Gestalt therapy is a form of treatment you might encounter. This article will debunk any myths surrounding what Gestalt therapy might entail.
Focus on the present moment
You can anticipate that a Gestalt therapist will inquire about your current experience when you work with them. You will undoubtedly examine your past during therapy. Gestalt therapy, however, pay close attention to how their patients are feeling right now as it is developing. Gestalt therapy actually aims to increase the client’s awareness of their current experience. Despite the fact that it may seem paradoxical, paying close attention to what you are going through might help you gain insight into unhealthy patterns and change them.
To truly allow yourself to experience unpleasant or painful feelings as they arise may feel frightening. But pushing those emotions away will leave them frozen. When you enter the treatment room, a Gestalt psychotherapist might ask you one of the following questions, for example:
What are you currently aware of?
As you’re telling me about that date you went on, what was your experience like?
As you recount how your mother handled you in high school, what’s coming up for you?
Reduce speed
By assisting people to slow down, Gestalt therapy can help their patients notice their experience in the present moment. As we live in a culture that values a quick tempo and multitasking, this can be very difficult. Social media and cellphones regularly take our attention away. It can be challenging to sit with emotions, so we frequently “up up into our heads” to avoid the discomfort. By saying things like, “After you expressed that you miss your ex, I saw tears come up in your eyes, and I think your voice sounds sad,” a Gestalt therapist can encourage you to take it slower. Can you continue that for a moment? Instead, “The tale you’re telling me is extremely significant. I want you to take a moment right now to breathe deeply and pay attention to your awareness.