Gestalt approach to family therapy

Abstract

Gestalt psychotherapy is presented as a synthesis of a number of psychological traditions. Two particular techniques are described in detail: the empty chair technique which is a strategy that focuses on the parents' internalized object relations which are played out between themselves and with their children; and the Gestalt experiment which is a strategy that focuses on the contact boundaries between family members.     

Response to “Turning Words and Twisting Truths”

SUMMARY

Too often, in discussions of psychotherapy, the techniques are given undue emphasis. Research suggests that the same techniques are differentially effective when used by equally trained and supervised therapists. Not only are some therapists more effective, irrespective of the type of therapy they practice, but some, because of their personal qualities, may actually harm those with whom they work. This research reflects the vast importance of the ubiquitous element in therapy, that of the “person” of the therapist. The question, then, follows, how may personhood be developed? This question is explored as it relates to both breadth and depth of life experience.     

PDP and Gestalt: An integration?

Summary The possibility of a synthesis between parallel distributed processing approaches (PDP) and Gestalt psychology is discussed. The empiricist outlook of PDP is an obstacle to such a synthesis. Gestalt's belief in organization of the psychological field as the basic principle is not shared by the PDP approach. It is claimed that, nevertheless, Gestalt psychology can use PDP techniques for modeling organization processes, provided that some constraints are obeyed. From a PDP point of view, importing Gestalt constraints could be a useful strategy for obtaining testable predictions.     

Multiple Points of Intervention as an Approach in Child Psychotherapy

ABSTRACT

This article develops an integrated model that emphasizes multiple points of intervention in therapeutic work with children. It draws on nonlinear dynamic systems theory, Winnicott's theory of play and transitional space, elements of contemporary relational theory, client-centered therapy, Gestalt therapy, family systems, behavior therapy, selected aspects of cognitive behavior therapy, psychological education, and school consultations.     

Dialogical Temporal Chair Technique

ABSTRACT

The Dialogical Temporal Chair Technique (DTCT) is a method based on Hermans’s dialogical self theory combined with Gestalt and cognitive–behavioural therapeutic techniques. The Dialogical Temporal Chair Technique is a method of activating temporal voices. Three chairs symbolising the past, present and future are used to help subjects create a temporal dialogue. Participants are asked to take a specific I-position and to construct a temporal self-dialogue by changing chair (and hence I-position). The DTCT can be used to solve undefined problems or to explore new ways of thinking, but it may also be used to review important life decisions or enable integration of, or detachment from, ambivalent feelings and attitudes.     

Three techniques for the solo family therapist

Three techniques are described which may be used by family therapists working without the aid of a co-therapist or team. These are: (1 )the use of a 'ghost co-therapist', (2) the use of the Gestalt therapy 'empty chair' technique in developing a systemic hypothesis, and (3) the use of self, the opinions of significant others and research findings to allow conflicting views of the family's dilemma to be presented.     

Acting Theory Applied to Counseling: Stanislavski Continues to Contribute to Psychic Healing

ABSTRACT

This article explores a specific aspect of Stanislavski’s methods of training actors to examine the potential benefits for helping clients in the cultivation of new perceptions through empathy, which may, in turn, help toward psychic healing. Stanislavski’s methods of training actors, which is rooted in understanding the human condition, are the underpinnings for most modern acting theories. This discussion builds an additional bridge between acting theory and counseling theory to investigate additional therapeutic benefits of acting in a clinical setting. This article adds to the conversation of the possibility of expanding applications of drama therapy based on specific aspects of acting theories.     

A Solution-Based Approach to Couple Therapy

Abstract

Couples often present for counseling as a last resort. As relationships in crisis may not last it is important that treatment be time-effective. Solution-based therapies have been described as brief and time-effective and applied effectively to working with couples. This article presents a case example demonstrating the application of a solution-based approach to therapy with a married African-American couple entering therapy to resolve their relationship difficulties that lead to the initiation of divorce proceedings. The processes of reducing blame and conflict, creating hope and solution building utilizing solution-based interventions are discussed, as well as the treatment outcomes.     

Gestalt therapy in the treatment of Vietnam veterans experiencing PTSD symptomatology

In the author's clinical work with Vietnam veterans experiencing symptoms of PTSD, Gestalt theory and concepts have proven to be very helpful in (a) conceptualizing what sustains Vietnam as a deleterious problem in the lives of these veterans and (b) providing techniques which are effective in helping them overcome their Vietnam-related troubles. Although of great potential, the author feels that the effective application of Gestalt therapy techniques necessitates the kind of prudent clinical discretion which ordinarily requires a solid background in general psychotherapy and specialized training in Gestalt theory, concepts, and techniques.     

Individual and Family Growth: A Gestalt Approach

Gestalt therapy is described as a comprehensive framework of theory and techniques for experiential family therapy. Like other experientially oriented therapies, it is systems-oriented, immediate-experience-oriented, and affect-oriented. Unlike others, this method regards the client system's emergent processes as the central focus, and it emphasizes that growth occurs as the family and its members are helped to greater self-awareness and responsibility for their own functioning.     

Male Cross-Dressers in Therapy: A Solution-Focused Perspective for Marriage

This paper offers techniques on how to work with male cross-dressers using solution-focused therapy. An overview about issues crossdressers often face is addressed which shows they have many of the same concerns as other clients seeking therapy. Solution-focused therapy is discussed as a way to work with male-cross dressers and their partners. A case study of a male cross-dresser and his wife is presented and possible directions are suggested for marriage and family therapists.     

Betwixt and between: The making of a dialogical psychotherapy

Richard Hycner. Between Person and Person: Toward a Dialogical Psychotherapy. Highland, NY: The Gestalt Journal, 1991.     

Commitment: A variable in women's response to marital therapy

Abstract

The relationship between commitment to one's marriage at the onset of therapy and changes during marital therapy was examined. In a sample of 42 couples seeking marital therapy, wives' commitment level accounted for a significant amount of unique variance in marital satisfaction before therapy and gains in marital satisfaction resulting from therapy. In keeping with earlier findings, results for men were less striking, and often nonsignificant. The importance of considering the variable of commitment in marital research is discussed.     

To Change,Be Yourself: An Illustration of Paradox in Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt therapy emphasizes contact with unwanted and disowned aspects of self. This article describes the use of a therapeutic exercise based on paradoxical intent within the framework of Gestalt therapy and uses one client's account of the experience to illustrate its effectiveness.     

Family of origin: An experiential workshop

Abstract

A rationale is presented and a one day, content-free family of origin experiential workshop is described in detail. The workshop is designed for clients in ongoing family therapy. Its purposes are 1) motivating family members to engage in family of origin investigations; 2) supplying information in a supportive experiential learning paradigm for use in ongoing peer and multiple family therapy groups; 3) minimally teaching procedures for conducting a Bowen-like search; 4) contributing to an agency-wide atmosphere of intrigue and support for intergenerational therapeutic work. Sculpture, role-play and dramaturgical techniques are interwoven into a fabric deliberately left unfinished in order to provide maximal material for the ongoing family therapy.     

Trance and confusion in Gestalt therapy

This article introduces hypnotic principles of confusion and trance as fundamental operations in Gestalt therapy. A process is identified which utilizes perceptual shifts of reference as a method of organizing Gestalt techniques. The sequence of operations constituting the confusion process is outlined and developed in a psychotherapy session through the use of implication, dissociation, and embodiment. The development of this organization of Gestalt therapy is intended to enhance the strategic capacities of therapists.