‘Gestalt’ is a German word, which has no direct translation, but generally refers to a whole, circle, completion or connection. Gestalt therapy is all about connecting with ourselves both emotionally and physically.

Developed by Fritz and Laura Perls, gestalt therapy was one of the modalities featured in Everett Shostrom’s ‘Three Approaches to Therapy’ – or, as they are more commonly known, ‘the Gloria Films’. Perls’ session with Gloria is confrontational, which is a key element in this modality, though this now tends to take a more gentle form.

Gestalt shares its emphasis on phenomenology and the here-and-now with person-centred counselling, but pays more attention to the physical manifestations of our emotions. Rory illustrates this with examples from his experience as a counsellor. There are also influences from Freud’s psychodynamic theory, and Kurt Lewin’s field theory.

Rory provides a brief biography of the Perls, referring to the influences of psychoanalysts Karen Horney (who described a phenomenon known as ‘the tyranny of the shoulds’) and Wilhelm Reich (who also has an interesting link with cloud-busting, as described in A Book of Dreams, by his son), and of philosopher Martin Buber.

‘Mental metabolism’ suggests that we exhibit our feelings in our bodily behaviours. Being in therapy with a gestaltist (as practitioners call themselves) involves much emphasis on physical feelings and reactions. The aim is to become fully aware of our whole body process, when faced with different situations.

Rory provides an example of how we as humans are moved to take action in order to return ourselves to a state of ‘equilibrium’, completing a ‘gestalt’. ‘Co-creation’ is about being in the client’s frame of reference and ensuring the client is taking control of therapy and their life. Rory also explains other key terms from gestalt therapy – introjection, projection, retroflection, deflection and confluence.