Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Gestalt Therapy: Similarities
As Yontef and Jacobs (2011) note, initially, it was fairly simple to compare Gestalt to other systems of therapy, largely due to the fact that Gestalt could clearly distinguish itself as the system that upheld existential and humanistic characteristics. Over time, however, the distinction between the fields has become more and more narrow. Following are the similarities between Gestalt boundary differences
and psychodynamic defence mechanisms:
Both theoretical approaches mention projection as a defence mechanism or boundary difference that they seek to address. The psychodynamic approach describes projection as “unacceptable impulses or feelings of his own to another person (or agency)” …show more content…
This is largely
due to the fact that the Gestalt approach seeks to place the onus of behaviour squarely on the shoulders of the individual, albeit compassionately. Following is an expanded explanation of the root of this difference.
Yontef and Jacobs (2011) note that at the heart of the differences between the two theoretical orientations is a disagreement on the concept of the conscious/unconscious and awareness/unawareness. Freudian conceptualization of the conscious and unconscious does not allow for the
fluidity between awareness and unawareness as Gestalt therapy does. Furthermore, in application of both theories, this disagreement becomes more pronounced when defining the role of the therapist and patient. For the psychodynamic approach, the therapist is the “expert,” equipped with highly specific knowledge of the unconscious and armed with psychoanalytical tools at their disposal to discover, extract and interpret the
objective truth for their patient. It is thought that “[P]atients’ statements of their feelings, thoughts, beliefs, and wishes were not considered reliable because they were assumed to disguise deeper motivations stemming from the unconscious” (Yontef & Jacobs, 2011, p. …show more content…
As was mentioned earlier,
Gestalt therapists so not claim to know more than their patients about their patient's experience, after all, they too are human and are bound by the same relative experience guidelines that their patients are. Thus, it is the therapist’s duty to come to the therapeutic relationship with their own awareness and the knowledge that “people are inclined toward growth and will develop as fully as conditions allow” (Yontef & Jacobs, 2011, p. 353). When faced with what the psychoanalyst would call
“resistance” the Gestalt therapist will instead understand that their patient’s perception of the therapy relationship is that it is not yet safe enough for them bring elements of their subjective states into their awareness. As such, attempts by the patient to relate to their therapist's experience will be considered an attempt to connect, and they may be inclined to indulge their patient, rather than a
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Compare and contrast client-centered therapy with Gestalt therapy in terms of the goals of therapy, the role of the therapist, and therapeutic effectiveness.
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Solution Preview
Let's take a closer look through discussion ad research, which you can draw on for your final copy. I also attached a supporting article for further reading.
RESPONSE:
Carl Rogers developed client-Centered Therapy (CCT) in the 40's and 50's. It is a non-directive approach to therapy. A non-directive approach is very appealing on the face of it to many clients, because they get to keep control over the content and pace of the therapy. It is intended to serve them, after all. The therapist isn't evaluating them in any way or trying to "figure them out". This is as opposed to "directive" meaning any therapist behavior that deliberately steers the client in some way. Directive behaviors include asking questions, offering treatments, and making interpretations and diagnoses (1).
Somewhat similar to CCT, Gestalt Therapy was co-founded by Fritz Perls, Laura Perls and Paul Goodman in the 1940s-1950s and is also considered client-centered. Specifically, Gestalt Therapy is a humanistic, existential and experiential psychotherapy that focuses on the individual's experience in the present moment, the therapist-client relationship (like CCT), the environmental and social contexts in which these things take place, and the self-regulating adjustments people make as a result of the overall situation. It also emphasizes personal responsibility (2).
Goals of Therapy
In CCT, the goal of therapy is to deal with whatever the client brings to the session. The foundational belief of CCT is that people tend to move toward growth and healing, and have the capacity to find their own answers. This tendency is helped along by an accepting and understanding climate, which the CC therapist seeks to provide. So, the CC therapists do:
· Listen and try to understand how things are from the
client's point of view.
· Check that understanding with the client if unsure.
· Treat the client with the utmost respect and regard.
· There is also a mandate for the therapist to be ...
Solution Summary
This solution compares and contrasts client-centered therapy with Gestalt therapy in terms of the goals of therapy, the role of the therapist and therapeutic effectiveness. Supplemented with an article on Gestalt Therapy.