What is Gestalt Therapy?
Gestalt psychotherapy/counselling offers you a safe, supportive space to explore your behaviour, feelings and experiences.
Gestalt psychotherapy is a relational embodied therapy, which means we are interested in 'how we learn to relate to others' and how relating is closely connected to our feelings and thoughts (even if we don't think/feel they are!).
Together we will explore how your present capabilities, enjoyment and fulfilment are affected by your life situation, past relationships, traumas and repeating patterns of being in the world. Awareness and meaning are developed collaboratively, creating possibilities for choice and change. Underpinning the above are core practitioner values of compassion, respect, authenticity and appreciation of the need to create a safe-enough and challenging-enough therapeutic space.
Tell me and I’ll forget; show me and I may remember; involve me and I’ll understand - Chinese Proverb
Gestalt therapy is also a highly effective and empowering change process for working with individuals, couples, groups, teams and organisations. Beyond the therapy room, the Gestalt approach is increasingly being used by people whose work relies on relationship building, particularly those in education, health and social care. It’s also used by people-focused professionals in areas such as HR, Organisational Development, coaching and training where it can be a powerful way to effect change in individuals, in teams and across organisations.
As a Gestalt psychotherapist I aim to support self-awareness that will enable you to develop your unique perspective on life. By becoming more aware of how you think, feel and act in the present moment, you can gain insight into ways that your current difficulties can be alleviated to allow you to live a full and lively life.
Gestalt therapy is not just about talking we will work to find creative ways to support deeper understanding and meaning.. This might involve using art materials, using imagery, working with dreams, journalling, reading, testing out new skills .... obviously this doesn't suit everyone .... so we will work with what you feel comfortable with.