Towards a State of Being Able to Play: Integrating Gestalt Concepts and Methods into a Psychodynamic Approach to Counselling

The possibility of establishing a rationale for integrating Gestalt concepts and methods into a psychodynamic approach to counselling is examined. Examples are drawn from the writer's current student counselling practice, and four positive indicators for the use of Gestalt are identified. Winnicott's insights on the importance of playing and creativity are seen as offering a significant link between the two therapeutic modes.

'Psychotherapy has to do with two people playing together. Where playing is not possible, then the work done by the therapist is directed towards bringing the patient from a state of not being able to play into a state of being able to play'. Winnicott (1974a. p. 44)