Existentialism And Gestalt Theory

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Existentialism and Gestalt Theory The principles of existential therapy are based on the theories of 19th and 20th century philosophers, Soren Kierkegaard and Friedrich Nietzsche. Existential therapy supports the idea that we are all directly responsible for our own lives over the idea of meaningful existence and predetermined destiny. Many other philosophers, including Jean-Paul Sartre, Gabriel Marcel and Ludwig Binswanger, also contributed to these ideas. Existential therapy is aimed at making sense of human existence and is generally not concerned with the client's past, but emphasizes the choices to be made in the present and future. The focus is on the nature of the human condition, which includes a capacity for self-awareness,…show more content…
Gestalt therapy focuses on the whole of an individual's experience; their thoughts, feelings and actions, and concentrates on the “here and now” and what is happening from one moment to the next. Gestalt therapy is influenced by psychoanalytic theory and though focus is on present time, therapists will concentrate on past experiences to the extent that they affect current functioning. The view is nondeterministic in that the person is viewed as having the capacity to recognize how earlier influences are related to present difficulties. As an experiential approach, it is grounded in the here-and-now and emphasizes personal choice and responsibility. The main goal of Gestalt therapy is to assist clients in gaining awareness of moment-to-moment experiencing and to expand the capacity to make choices. The purpose is not at analysis, but for the individual to become more self-aware, taking into account the integration of their mind, body and soul. The role of the therapist is to promote the client's self-awareness and is of a collaborative nature. Much importance is given to the I/Thou relationship and the quality of the therapist's presence. The therapist's attitudes and behavior count more than the techniques used. The therapist does not interpret for clients but assists them in developing the means to make their own interpretations. Clients identify and work on unfinished business from the past that interferes with current
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