Gestalt Psychotherapy emphasizes the innate dignity of the individual coming to counseling. The individual is the expert on their own experience, not the counselor.
Gestalt Psychotherapy focuses on the present instead of diving into a person’s past experiences. Practitioners of Gestalt Psychotherapy believe that a person’s experiences influence their perception of a given situation and use this idea to help people navigate growth and change.
Your therapist will pay particular attention to your perception of yourself and your current circumstances. Instead of offering ideas about what the counselor thinks might be happening, they will inquire about what you think is going on. The idea is that if you focus too much on the future or the past, you may experience anxiety, but only the present matters.
The environment is vital in Gestalt Psychotherapy, so your counselor will make sure the therapeutic space is safe and welcoming. They will hold space for your difficult emotions and experiences without judging you. They might employ techniques such as encouraging you to make “I” statements, practicing self-awareness, performing role-plays, emphasizing physical sensations in the body, and bringing attention to body language. Your therapist will work with you to make sure you are comfortable, leading to a higher likelihood you will be open to change.
Therapists Who Specialize in Using Gestalt Psychotherapy
I am a Marital and Family Therapist and I have been working with individuals, couples, and families for over 25 years. I believe in the worth and value of all humans and support their desire to have joy, fulfillment, creativity, and to have control of their destiny. I recognize that some experiences negatively impact our ability to access our internal and external resources to cope with what li...
My passions are helping adults, teens, children navigate ADHD, life transitions and developmental trauma. Navigating life with ADHD can be difficult at any age. I seek to help parents, children and adults learn to accept the gifts and manage the challenges of living a successful life with ADHD. Life transitions are major life events that can be difficult to work through. Developmental trauma...
Costa holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from DePaul University and a Master’s degree in Professional Counseling Psychology from the Illinois School of Professional Psychology. He is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor, a Board Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and a Certified Professional Coach. Costa utilizes a variety of therapeutic and motivational approaches (including CBT)...
I have had a career in counseling in one capacity or another for 42 years. Over this time, I have learned many approaches and techniques. The one approach I learned many years ago that I feel is key, is to meet the client where you are at, help you define your goals, and help you identify approaches that you feel might help you the most, and then try to help you stay motivated as you pursue tho...
I work with clients who are dealing with depression, anxiety, trauma, grief, transitions in life, relationships, and LGBTQQIA. I primarily use person-centered, solution focused, and CBT to achieve goals that the client sets. I offer talk therapy, worksheets and at home assignments (for those who want it), as we process thoughts and emotions and client's struggles and needs. Starting therapy is...
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