The Relational Attitude In Gestalt Therapy Theory
International Gestalt Journal 2002, 25/1, 15-34
Gary Yontef
The Relational Attitude in Gestalt Therapy Theory and Practice
Abstract: Gestalt therapy theory is relational in its core, although some talk and practice of gestalt therapy is not consistent with the principles. This paper reviews core relational philosophical principles of gestalt therapy: existential phenomenology, field theory, and dialogic existentialism. The implications for practice are explored. Practices and attitudes about gestalt therapy that are inconsistent with these principles are discussed. The article studies the triggering and treatment of shame in gestalt therapy and gestalt training. The article clarifies what relational gestalt therapy is and what it is not. …show more content…
We are all "dependent", or, more accurately "interdependent".
The view of need and dependency as a weakness, and the creating of an icon of the self-sufficient hero, so prevalent in
American rugged individualism, is fertile grounds for creating shame (Wheeler, 1996; see discussion in Shame section below).
If a therapist does not know or admit his or her dependency and other vulnerabilities, it helps trigger or create shame in vulnerable patients.
The discussion of the relational essence of gestalt therapy is needed to correct the shame-creating attitude that was present in cliché level talks in the 1960 's and that can still be seen in a more subtle form in some current practice and training. When the patient is expressing or showing a need or desire that could be confronted as needy or manipulative, it is usually more effective and consistent with gestalt therapy principles to meet and understand patients ' experience rather than confront or frustrate them. Support, healthy confluence, compassion, kind3
20
In this paper I use the term confront and confrontation in the sense of being negative, judgmental, non-respectful, and not …show more content…
Another implication of field theory is the need to pay attention to the conditions of the field. I believe that we often pay insufficient attention to the conditions in the field. One of the main concerns of relational gestalt therapy is what happens between therapist and patient, that is the field of therapist and patient and between patients in therapy groups. Increasingly relationally oriented gestalt therapists have focused on the exact conditions in the field of patient and therapist as it develops moment to moment.
This field perspective is needed in understanding the processes in all groups and systems. It is important to understand the regulation processes that occur in the communities in which we live, for example the power relations in organizations, agencies, and in the larger community. This includes processes such as competition for power, ostracizing, sub-grouping, marginalizing. These processes happen in individual, group, couple, or family therapy. These are often ignored in both therapy and task groups in the gestalt therapy community. One exception
Gary Yontef
The Relational Attitude in Gestalt Therapy Theory and Practice
Abstract: Gestalt therapy theory is relational in its core, although some talk and practice of gestalt therapy is not consistent with the principles. This paper reviews core relational philosophical principles of gestalt therapy: existential phenomenology, field theory, and dialogic existentialism. The implications for practice are explored. Practices and attitudes about gestalt therapy that are inconsistent with these principles are discussed. The article studies the triggering and treatment of shame in gestalt therapy and gestalt training. The article clarifies what relational gestalt therapy is and what it is not. …show more content…
We are all "dependent", or, more accurately "interdependent".
The view of need and dependency as a weakness, and the creating of an icon of the self-sufficient hero, so prevalent in
American rugged individualism, is fertile grounds for creating shame (Wheeler, 1996; see discussion in Shame section below).
If a therapist does not know or admit his or her dependency and other vulnerabilities, it helps trigger or create shame in vulnerable patients.
The discussion of the relational essence of gestalt therapy is needed to correct the shame-creating attitude that was present in cliché level talks in the 1960 's and that can still be seen in a more subtle form in some current practice and training. When the patient is expressing or showing a need or desire that could be confronted as needy or manipulative, it is usually more effective and consistent with gestalt therapy principles to meet and understand patients ' experience rather than confront or frustrate them. Support, healthy confluence, compassion, kind3
20
In this paper I use the term confront and confrontation in the sense of being negative, judgmental, non-respectful, and not …show more content…
Another implication of field theory is the need to pay attention to the conditions of the field. I believe that we often pay insufficient attention to the conditions in the field. One of the main concerns of relational gestalt therapy is what happens between therapist and patient, that is the field of therapist and patient and between patients in therapy groups. Increasingly relationally oriented gestalt therapists have focused on the exact conditions in the field of patient and therapist as it develops moment to moment.
This field perspective is needed in understanding the processes in all groups and systems. It is important to understand the regulation processes that occur in the communities in which we live, for example the power relations in organizations, agencies, and in the larger community. This includes processes such as competition for power, ostracizing, sub-grouping, marginalizing. These processes happen in individual, group, couple, or family therapy. These are often ignored in both therapy and task groups in the gestalt therapy community. One exception