Gestalt Psychology is not the Only Root of Gestaltherapy

• Gestalt Therapy and Gestalt Theory by Timothy C. McNamara, 2/10/97
  • Gestalt theory has to offer more than criticism by Gerhard Stemberger, Society for Gestalt Theory and its Applications (GTA), 2/17/97
    
    

I completly agree with the ideas of your very rich message. Including the need to discover more and more Gestalt Theory for Gestaltherapists. But I think it would be a mistake to assume Gestalt Theory as the only or the main root of Gestaltherapy. As important as Gestalt Theory is a sort of Life Philosophy which has its main roots, I think, in F. Neitzsche's Philosophy (I'm aware that to speak of Nietzsche is problematic sometimes, there is a lot of misunderstanding and conflict around him, and I want to come back to this later, because it seems very important.). There are some other roots specifically of Gestaltherapy as we know it, in theatre, Oriental Philosophy... which are independent of Gestalt Theory. Sometimes I think we can feel that Fritz used Gestalt Theory, but he was not thet comited with it -- what could be a mistake. I don't want with this diminish the enormous specific importance of Gestalt Theory, mainly in the modern developments. Sincerely, Afonso.

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