Gestalt therapy and science

• Gestalt therapy and Gestalt-theoretical psychotherapy? by Javier Guillen, 11/13/97
  • Similarities and differences by Gerhard Stemberger, Society for Gestalt Theory and its Applications (GTA), 11/15/97
    
    

Gerhard,

Thank you for your response.

If I understood you well, Gestalt-theoretical psychotherapy tries to integrate many ideas, concepts and techniques from Gestalt therapy, and re-assimilate them from a different espistemological base; Gestalt theoretical-psychotherapists are scientifically oriented, while the first Gestalt therapists were not very interested in a rigorous scientific approach.

But... what is the attitude of those more ´traditional´ Gestalt therapists toward Gestalt-theoretical psychoterapy? I know about the appreciation that gestalt therapists have in the value of experiencing without prejudice: experiencing "what is" instead of fantasizing about it. Take for example the title of the book of Claudio Naranjo, "Gestalt therapy: the Attitude and Practice of an Atheoretical Experiencialism"; there, Naranjo talks about Gestalt therapy as an intuitive approach. Also, I´ve read that Fritz, in regard to his clinical practice, said "I try not to think"...

Since the difference between Gestalt therapists and Gestalt-theoretical therapists seems to be the "theoretical" part... does ´traditional´ Gestalt therapists have accepted without problems the approach of Hans-Juergen Walter? Does Gestalt-theoretical therapists still accept intuition?

A final question... can you tell me more about the differences in the conception about the healing process between Gestalt therapy and Gestalt-theoretical psychotherapy?

Thank you

Javier

No Replies