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
Telehealth sessions available on Zoom; currently (full - I can add you to the waiting list). With our everyday stressors, life will leave you feeling as if you are unreachable and helpless. I'm honored to work with ALL people that are looking for support and desire a change in their life. I support clients who are dealing with anxiety, depression, trauma, OCD, eating disorders (including binge...
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I am a Licensed Professional Counselor and owner of Restore Counseling, LLC. I understand that finding the right counselor can be a daunting task and I hope to help you in that process. As a therapist, my goal is to create a safe place for you to express what you are experiencing. I look forward to hearing about the changes you would like to see in your life and working with you to make these...
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Sharon Benekohal is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a Master's degree in Social Work from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. She is a 30-year resident of Champaign-Urbana. Sharon has been a social worker for 17+ years and has a dual specialization in mental health and the schools. Sharon believes the counseling relationship offers support, promotes self-development and guides ...