My therapist uses some Gestalt techniques--- some I like more than others. From my understanding, the overall principle of Gestalt is to process the here and now. Our memories can fail us, and getting all of the details of an experience correct is not what matters. However, how we feel about the situation in the here and now is what does.

My therapist does a lot of asking-- where in your body are you experiencing the hurt? What are your tense shoulders telling you that you need?


Gestalt is pretty famous for the "empty chair technique" in which you dialogue back and forth with someone (or a part of yourself) you may have unresolved emotions with. In doing so, the therapist guides you to stay in the moment and experience the feelings and to be aware of the body sensations that come with those feelings.

Gestalt also explores dream work and takes the perspective everything in the dream is a projection of yourself. I sometimes feel uncomfortable (and silly!) with these exercises sometimes.

Gestalt was a new concept to me, and it has been challenging. It has been helpful in many ways, but I also resist some of it both because it's hard and also because I just don't feel comfortable. Thankfully, my therapist isn't a "pureist" and is comfortable using other modalities as well.

I feel like that was a lot of rambling, but I hope that helps a little.