Gestalt therapy facts for kids
Gestalt therapy is a special type of psychotherapy, which is like a talking therapy. It helps people who are feeling uncomfortable, worried, or just not quite right. The main idea behind Gestalt therapy is to help you focus on what you are feeling and experiencing right now, in the present moment. It encourages you not to get too caught up in thinking about past problems or worrying about what might happen in the future.
The main goal is to help people understand their own thoughts, actions, experiences, and feelings. It also helps them learn to take responsibility for these things. This way, they can become more aware of themselves and how they interact with the world around them.
Gestalt therapy is part of a bigger group of ideas called humanistic psychology. It was created in the 1940s and 1950s by three important people: Fritz Perls, Laura Perls, and Paul Goodman.
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What is Gestalt Therapy?
Gestalt therapy helps people become more aware of themselves and their surroundings. The word "Gestalt" comes from German and means "form" or "whole." In this therapy, the idea is that we should look at a person as a whole, not just their individual parts or problems. It focuses on how a person's mind, body, and feelings all work together.
How Does Gestalt Therapy Work?
At the heart of Gestalt therapy is the idea of "awareness." This means really knowing and understanding your own feelings, thoughts, and actions. It also means understanding how these things affect the people and world around you.
A Gestalt therapist helps you explore your feelings and behaviors in the present moment. They might ask questions like:
- "What are you feeling right now?"
- "What is happening in your body as you talk about this?"
- "How does this situation make you react?"
The therapist helps you notice if you are trying to avoid certain feelings or situations. For example, you might be trying to ignore a feeling of sadness or anger. Once you realize you are doing this, the therapist can help you face those feelings. This can lead to feeling better and finding new ways to deal with challenges.
Focusing on the "Here and Now"
A key part of Gestalt therapy is staying focused on the "here and now." This means dealing with what is happening in the therapy session itself, and how you are feeling in that exact moment. It's about experiencing your emotions fully, rather than just talking about them as if they happened in the past or will happen in the future.
For example, if you talk about a past argument, the therapist might ask you to imagine that person is in the room with you. Then, they might encourage you to express your feelings as if that person were truly there. This helps you experience the emotions more directly.
Taking Responsibility
Another important part of Gestalt therapy is helping people take responsibility for their own lives. This doesn't mean blaming yourself for everything. Instead, it means understanding that you have choices in how you react to situations and how you feel. By taking responsibility, you can feel more in control and empowered to make changes in your life.
Who Can Gestalt Therapy Help?
Gestalt therapy can be helpful for many different people. It can assist those who:
- Feel anxious or stressed.
- Are struggling with relationships.
- Want to understand themselves better.
- Are having trouble dealing with change.
- Feel stuck or unsure about their path in life.
It's a way to learn more about yourself and how to live a more fulfilling life by being truly present and aware.
Related pages
See also
In Spanish: Terapia Gestalt para niños
