What is Gestalt Psychotherapy?

Home » Treatment Therapies » Gestalt Psychotherapy » Page 24

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

Ellen Ottman

Oakland

California

These days, many of us are busy - working multiple jobs, raising families, commuting and many of us never take the time to stop or pause. I support my clients in slowing down and bringing their attention to the parts of themselves that they so often forget. The wounds, traumas, grief, joy, & growth can all be acknowledged and integrated in therapy - hopefully, resulting in a more meaningful...

Alex M Mackenzie

San Jose

California

I exclusively provide video/online sessions for couples and individuals who want to learn and practice skills to enhance their relationships and communicate better. I use proven, research-based techniques to help you get better results in the context of all your relationships. I listen to you, but also, I am very interactive and provide feedback. I have completed Gottman Levels 1, 2, and 3. I h...
( English | español ) Therapy is a collaborative effort between the therapist and client. The goal of therapy is to empower the client to achieve their goals with hopes that the client can live a more satisfying life. The purpose of therapy is to help the client enhance their understanding of the issue(s) that may be impacting their physical, emotional and mental wellbeing and to equip the clie...

Austin Herman

Denver

Colorado

Welcome! You are taking an important step towards creating positive change in your life. I would love to be part of your journey! I value having a positive relationship with my clients. I believe that all people have both the innate ability and freedom of choice to create positive change in their lives. My work with you will focus on identifying what changes you want in your life or in yourself...
Does the stress and pressure of everyday life feel overwhelming? Has life changed so quickly that it's difficult for you to get through the day let alone focus or concentrate? You try to return to normal, but you're not even sure what normal is now. As you struggle with the demands of work and family, you know you want to find time for yourself, but you aren't sure how. You've even started to...

Anne E Smith

Madison

Wisconsin

As a counselor, I utilize a family systems approach in my work with adolescents and their parents in order to assist with restructuring of communication so that individuals can feel heard, respected and have their ideas validated. I also work hard to eliminate cultural biases and meet the client's where they are based on their individual needs. Additionally, I began my training in couples...
You may be seeking counseling today for any number of reasons. Perhaps feeling withdrawn or not yourself, overwhelmed, anxious, or you're experiencing relationship/family issues. No matter the motivator, you will find validation, a listening ear, and skills to assist with overcoming your obstacles. You are the expert of your own experiences and you can expect a team member and guide with me. Th...

Sheila Rad

San Jose

California

I see us each born with a sense of ease, a sense of knowing that we are loved and worthy. Life has a way of challenging us in ways that are sometimes more than we can manage. We endure events and experiences that feel like cuts and bruises and we have to find ways to navigate threats to our well-being. Sometimes these cuts feel so deep that we’re not able to easily heal and we cringe in pain ea...
I consider crisis to be any unwanted disruption in your life that you feel you may need help with. I will meet you where you are at, and develop with you, a personalized care plan specific to your needs and goals so that you are better equipped to meet the challenges in your life head on while remaining focused, purposeful, and authentic to yourself. In sessions, you'll gain new insight and...
I’m a licensed psychotherapist, and a yoga and meditation teacher based in Venice Beach, California. I am dedicated to supporting you on your journey home - to yourself. As a therapist, I see individuals, families and couples. My practice areas of expertise include stress, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, grief and loss, trauma, addictions, relationship difficulties, creative blocks, and...
I love to take an integrated approach to working with people and seeing people in the context of all aspects of their lives. As a queer, nonbinary transgender person I am passionate about intersectional social justice and working towards a world in which everyone is treated with respect and dignity. I enjoy working with people from all backgrounds, however, I specialize in working with LGBTQIA+...
You've been through so much in your life. You are often seen as the survivor but you feel like the outcast. The way you cope, the way you feel inside, it doesn't feel healthy any longer. You try to control what life circumstances you have been through with food, substances or other behaviors, but you have been left with only more anxiety and depression. Your past still follows you around in you...
I've found that it can make a life-changing difference to feel understood, supported, and empowered as we face fear, stress, painful circumstances, daunting challenges and pursue our greatest hopes. I was honored to work with children, pre-teens, and teens and their families for years in community mental health. I've also worked with individual adults from other countries. I enjoy helping my...

Howard Cohn

New York

New York

Life gives us challenges. These challenges can include anxiety, depression, difficulties in relationships, or just feeling stuck in life. However, we do not have to face these challenges alone. Through collaboration, we together can create an individualized and comprehensive plan to help you create an identity of your own, integrate positive practices into your daily interactions, and grow to l...

Daniela Rodriguez

Oklahoma City

Oklahoma

Isn’t it beautiful waking up every morning with the biggest smile on your face, feeling complete, as if you own the world? Sadly, that is not the reality for many of us. There are times in our lives when we just feel stuck. Experiences of loneliness, pain, and anxiety can cause us to feel like we can’t breathe, draining us, and having an overall negative impact on our health. These experiences ...