What is gestalt therapy?

This focus if this therapy is the way individuals relate to their environment. Gestalt therapy assumes that being in touch with one’s self and others is an important requirement for growth and personal development.

Gestalt therapy is based strongly on the relationship between the client and the therapist. This therapeutic relationship can reveal certain patterns with which the client will be familiar from other relationships. This is taken as a starting point for addressing the conflicts faced by the client.

The focus of gestalt theory is the present – “here and now”.

Gestalt therapy aims for people to accept themselves the way they are and encourages them to take note of and express their needs, feelings and desires. This is often the prerequisite for letting go of the past and being open to new, satisfying experiences. This is what we try to encourage with gestalt therapy by adopting the attitude that personal development requires us to experience things, rather than merely just understand them.

The gestalt method is a holistic approach. It conceives of feelings, thoughts and actions as related aspects of the body, mind and soul. As a result, the therapy process draws equally on the resources of the body, emotions and analytical thinking.

During gestalt therapy we try to avoid seeing the individual and their problems as something isolated, but as part of a social field which is characterised by reciprocal interaction. This means that individuals are influenced by their environment (whether work situations, a family situation, social status, or friends), but also that they are able to actively shape this environment.

You will find more information about what actually happens during gestalt therapy on the following pages.

Cost of gestalt therapy

Gestalt therapy is not covered by the statutory health insurance funds. Some private health policies will cover gestalt therapy, please consult your insurance company to find out.