A W A R E N E S S

Gestalt therapy

What is Gestalt therapy?

Gestalt psychology, pioneered by Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Köhler, and Kurt Koffka in the early 20th century, revolutionised our understanding of perception and cognition. This school of thought emphasised the holistic nature of human experience, proposing that we perceive the world not as isolated elements but as organised wholes. The principles of Gestalt psychology, such as the laws of proximity, similarity, and closure, continue to influence fields ranging from psychology to design and beyond.

Fritz Perls, a key figure in the development of Gestalt therapy, further expanded upon these principles. Born in Germany in 1893, Perls fled the rise of Nazism and eventually settled in the United States. He integrated Gestalt psychology with psychotherapy, developing Gestalt therapy as a distinct therapeutic approach.

 

Perls believed in the importance of awareness, personal responsibility, and the here-and-now experience. He emphasised the integration of mind, body, and emotions, viewing individuals as whole beings rather than a collection of separate parts. Gestalt therapy encourages clients to explore their present experience, focusing on their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours in the moment.

 

One of Perls’ notable contributions was the concept of the “Gestalt cycle of experience,” which outlines the process of awareness and self-regulation. This cycle consists of several stages, including sensation, awareness, energy mobilisation, action, contact, withdrawal, and assimilation. Through this framework, individuals can gain insight into their patterns of behaviour and develop greater self-awareness.

 

Fritz Perls’ influence extended beyond the realm of psychotherapy, as his ideas also inspired the human potential movement and influenced various forms of experiential therapy. His emphasis on authenticity, self-expression, and personal growth continues to resonate with individuals seeking to cultivate a deeper understanding of themselves and their relationships.

 

In Gestalt psychology, the concept of “figure” and “ground” refers to the organisation of visual perception, particularly in terms of how we distinguish objects from their surrounding context. The figure is the object or element that stands out and captures our attention, while the ground is the background against which the figure is perceived. This relationship between figure and ground is fundamental to how we make sense of visual stimuli.

 

The figure-ground relationship highlights the importance of context in perception. When we look at a scene, our visual system automatically organises it into a figure, which is the primary focus of our attention, and a ground, which provides the background against which the figure stands out. This process allows us to distinguish objects from their surroundings and perceive them as separate entities.

One of the key principles of Gestalt psychology related to figure and ground is that our perception can flip between the two. In some cases, the figure may dominate our attention, while in other cases, the ground may become more salient. This phenomenon is known as reversible figure-ground perception.

 

Additionally, Gestalt psychologists observed that figure and ground can influence each other and undergo perceptual shifts based on factors such as contrast, symmetry, and similarity. For example, changes in lighting or colour can alter our perception of which elements stand out as the figure and which recede into the background.

 

Understanding the figure-ground relationship provides insights into how we perceive and interpret visual stimuli. By studying how the brain organises sensory information into meaningful patterns, Gestalt psychologists have contributed to our understanding of perception and cognition, influencing fields such as art, design, and visual communication.

Nikolay started training in Gestalt therapy in October 2023. If you are curious about this psychotherapy approach and whether it could be useful for you, you can book a free session with Nick.