Relational Gestalt Theory is derived from the words Gestalt and Relational. Gestalt is a word derived from Germany. It means to make whole. It provides an all-round philosophical consultation session within the nature of humanity. It entitles the importance of experience, human relations and authentic living. A therapist who applies the Gestalt perspective believes that we are always in relationship with the people and the world around us. The therapist brings out their client's curiosity to engage with the full context of their life. Therapists who apply the Gestalt Theory, focus on the here and now with the aim of stirring up their client's awareness of the world they live in. This includes evaluating the past experiences, the future aspirations, the fears and further determining whether they affect the present situation and the resultant relationships with others (Joyce & Sills, 2001).
The relational aspect of it involves applying the foundational Gestalt philosophical principles. These are existential phenomenology, existential dialogic relating, and field theory. They support greater variation and complexity of staying with experience. The process of understanding is arrived at slowly by the therapist and client jointly exploring and including the client's world as much as possible. The greatest emphasis is placed on the patient's consciousness or aware mindfulness. The key to success lies in the wisdom and sensitivity of the therapist in relating the past, present and future (Staemmler, 1997). Relational Gestalt Theory can, therefore, be defined as a humanistic therapy that is based on a patient's experiences and awareness. The methods used are aimed at enhancing awareness in a way that will help the client use his experiences to shape his attitude. The mood alteration will guide the patient in balancing his interrelations. By understanding the influence of experiences, the client gradually starts living in the here and now. Greater emphasis is therefore placed on the patient's relationship with the therapist to ensure transparency and progress. The long-term goal of Relational Gestalt Theory is for the patient to heighten his awareness of the world (Staemmler, 1997).
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Principles of Relational Gestalt Theory and their Application in Therapy and counseling
The major concepts of this theory are formed from the realization that the human experience is co-created. Though people interpret an experience based on their perspective, our interactions mutually influence our perception. We, therefore, control each other's actions and we develop self-perception from others around us. This is the first concept that is formed from process-based evaluation. This is called field theory. Field theory is the environmental context of the co-created experience that gives influence to the experience.
Phenomenology is the ability to be aware of the experience that is happening. This takes place when we can access our co-created fields and individual fields through our bodies. The process is known as the embodiment. It makes us aware of our emotions by breaking our emotional shell. Phenomenology helps one to recognize and express a given emotion. This creates an ability to differentiate between conflicting emotions and helps the person to tolerate the intensity of the emotions. Therefore the client can adjust his emotions after establishing his self-signals. This is similar to the way a human mouth adjusts its functions. It can make sounds that create speech, starts digestion through chewing and still assist the nose in breathing (McConville, 2001).
The third major concept majors on dialogue. The client is engaged by the therapist with an intention to not only recreate his experiences but also fully experience them again. This requires as naïve and full a description of direct experience as possible. This conversation elicits curiosity which creates uncertainty. The state of uncertainty causes the client to delve deeper into his experiences and self-evaluate more objectively. This creates an awareness of the clients creative adjustment and how this can work for or against them. In my case, I reflect on situations that were difficult to me, and I accept that I was either not in control or I recognize what I could have done differently. My conversations with my mother also fall into this category. This aspect is known as Existential Dialogic relating. These three concepts lead to the formation of the principles of this theory (Staemmler, 1997).
Reality is Perspectival and Constructivist
Reality is a blend of subjectivism and actuality. This means that a person builds their perspective from the facts and the preconceived ideas that are formed from their past experiences, their personality types, the person's thoughts on the expected outcome, and the circumstances that caused the event. This principle is derived from the concept of Field theory which asserts that environment is co-created. This worldview brings out how people's understanding is based on interconnection and their interdependence on others. It is the reason why I avoid romantic engagements because I relate them to abuse (Jacobs, 2016).
Influence is reciprocal and recursive
Joyce & Sills (2001) argues that influence is like a circle. It goes both ways. People affect the character and behavior of those they interact with. In the same experience, the people are also affected by the conduct of those around them. Therefore people give and take influence so to speak. Influence is therefore reciprocating. It is also possible to change your mind about an issue based on repeat influence or the recursive nature of influence. For example, I may believe that spanking a child is okay because I was spanked as a child and I turned out fine. However, I may interact with a child who is aggressive towards his peers and link his behavior to spanking. This cyclical nature of influence makes it possible to change one's perspective based on repeat influence. The principle also draws its relevance from Field theory, and it is supported by transference and countertransference. My relationship with my sister illustrates how I act strong because she is strong. This is a form of transference .
Experience is holistic, inclusive and unfolding
Though an experience can be described as singular, it happens as a sum of various units. Everything is connected, and each component is linked to the next. For example, a child is playing with a ball. He is happy (sensation). His brother comes and wants to take away the ball for himself (thoughts). He takes the ball away(behavior ), and his brother gets sad and starts crying (feelings and behavior). This experience demonstrates that the sequence of an experience is made up of the constituent parts. Without behavior, there would be no feeling so the events would not unfold. Similarly, if no thought were included, then there would be no behavior. This principle is applied in therapy to a large extent as it highlights mindful awareness. It's derived from Field theory (Mann, 2010).
Meaning is sophisticated, organized and organizing
Schulz and yontef (2013) points out that a person with a well-balanced psyche interprets the meaning of an experience from different angles. A sane mind will not take a harsh response from a loved one as a sign of hate. Instead, they will evaluate the words spoken and determine why they were communicated in this way and what state of mind the speaker was in. This is what makes meaning complex. The thought process analyzing the experience is the organizational aspect. A person who makes sense of a situation by oversimplifying it takes away a part of the whole system. This principle is extracted from Field theory and Phenomenology.
Time is continuous and immediate
There is no way to separate the past, present and future experiences because they occur in time and time is continuous. This binds our experiences to us, and this helps in predicting current and future responses. When you remember something, it affects what you wish to do or experience differently. This makes your mind anticipate the future, and you may replay this situation in your present. This gives credibility to the concept of Field theory which emphasizes awareness of the here and now. This is true in my case because I do not cry in public or show personal sadness. This habit that was formed when I was four years old, is is a self-protecting mechanism that allows me to stay safe within myself. I'm still able to empathize with others when they are in pain. I just don't cry so that no one can try and comfort me through touch. This is a result of sexual abuse at age 4( Mackewn, 1997).
Inquiry is phenomenological and experiential
According to Williams (2010) a n inquiry is a dissection into an experience with an intention to create meaning. The examination observes and interprets the phenomena in a method that unites memories and fantasies and breaks them down into constituent parts. This investigation differentiates perception from reality. It involves the complexity of accepting and distinguishing the objective and subjective realms of experience. This is similar to building a brick house and then bringing it down and rebuilding brick by brick because the structure does not make sense. This principle is most applicable to patients who have a twisted perception of their past. The famous statement that says that Truth is stranger than Fiction applies here. It's based on existential phenomenology.
Interaction is dialogic and existential
When people interact, a process of influence exchange takes place. One person experiences life through the perspective of the other and vice versa. The reciprocating and responsive nature of dialogue guarantees influence. This creates a sense of togetherness that sets the foundation for conversations that are transformational. Meaningful conversations are held when people discuss the things that are meaningful to them. I was recently able to tell my mother how her abandonment and neglect as a child has affected me. This created a mixture of relief and guilt as well as an afterthought that I deserved my predicaments. Interaction is a fundamental principle in therapy because no real progress can be made without transparency. Transparency cannot come without a feeling of empathy from the therapist. People are afraid of judgment, so they only divulge their weaknesses when they feel safe (Schulz & yontef , 2013).
Intervention is experimental and collaborative
This is an application of therapy that seeks to go beyond the usual safe confines of treatment. It involves applying techniques that make the client uneasy with the intention of restructuring their mindset. It is experimental because it has not been used on the client before and collaborative because the client and therapist agree on the process to follow. An example of a widespread application of this technique is the simulation of a tragic event for a client with repressed memory. The client will relive the full experience in their mind and bring clarity that dialogue may not have achieved (Mackewn, 1997).
Self is developmental, emergent and conceptual
Mann (2010) argues that the self is like a plant. It grows and changes depending on the seasons and changes it experiences. Therefore, the self is only as accurate as its environment, and the moment it exists in. Its different forms are built from the flow of the various sources. However, some behaviors that project the self-care reaffirmed by memories of self. They accept the familiarity of their past, and this hinders their change IE development. They are trapped by the predictability of their actions. Self may also be determined by the context or setting. This is why a doting father can double up as a formidable manager and still be able to be a little league coach. This is also why I can comfort others, yet I hide my pain to avoid being pitied. It's the same reason why I avoid deeper intimacy in a romantic setting because I know I asm not in control if I go past kissing.
Awareness is embodied, unfolding, mindful and situational
Spinelli (2007) states that t his principle requires concentration and deliberate effort for both the client and therapist. The two have to listen to understand and not just to answer. This means that for the principle to be successfully applied, the parties must pay attention to the tiniest details and commit them to memory. This may be an integral part of unfolding a client’s awareness by identifying the aspects of the embodiment. That is done by recognizing awareness, experiencing it and allowing it to be interrelated to the environment. It is directly connected to the nature of awareness being reciprocal and recursive. This means that a different setting for therapy sessions can make a difference in the intensity of the awareness process.
Interpretation is provisional and fallible
Interpretation is a tool that extracts meaning out of an experience. It is wise not to make a final analysis at any given time because an experience is subjective and objective. A provisional interpretation brings the therapist down to earth and allows a margin of error in conclusion making. Many times a psychiatrist concludes patient without investing adequate time for dialogue. This can be rectified by revisiting topics discussed and reliving experiences that seem to hold significant meaning to the client. In my case, some people interpret my avoidance of intimacy as frigidity (Jacobs, 2016).
Change is incessant, expansive, paradoxical and present-centered
This principle emphasizes the complexity of the experience. It explains that for change to take place, there must be an awareness of the present state of affairs. In the same breath, there must be an understanding of the past and a clear vision of the future that is desired. The paradox or contradiction comes up when the client must combine this three fields with environmental challenges and use them to move forward and act. This transition is often unpleasant or incessant. Therapists can encourage it by preparing a client for the process and letting the events flow at their own pace. After my breakup with my boyfriend of three years, I went into a session of reflection. This was where my Paradoxical theory of change came in. My present state of anger is slowly being replaced with peace and self-confidence. This is after I took stock of the past and accepted its significance (Ullman & WheelerG, 2009).
Health is functionally flexible and contextually responsive
Flexibility means that you can adjust solutions. Sometimes an old persistent problem may require a new application of a solution to solve it. Narrowing the therapy options also narrows the possible outcomes. Embracing diversity in decision-making can help in resolving a range of problems. The concept of Field theory holds this principle in high regard because of its success rate. Therapists can try this application as it gives varied options ( Spinelli, 2007).
Agency is decisive, goal-directed, hopefully, responsible and communal
Zinker (1977) points out that agency gives a client the power to make changes that matter to them. This gives a sense of clarity that leads to goal making. A therapist can use this optimism to help the client in making realistic goals. The therapist should be present when a goal is met or failed. They should reinforcement the progress through offering hope. Every therapist should embrace the responsibilities of seeing a client through their journey. Agency should be undertaken with the aid of the society and environment.
Development is intelligent, dynamic and integrative
According to McConville (2001) Progress takes place through step by step internal mechanisms. The patient may not show overnight progress, but the healing process is gradual with an intention to attain totality or wholeness. This is evident in my case because I have been able to deal with my issues one at a time. I'm a work in progress, and I hope to reach the ultimate goal of wholeness that defines Gestalt Theory.
Conclusion
The key concepts of relational Gestalt therapy in regard to gestalt theory are formed from the fact that human experiences are often co-created. Gestalt entails an experiential as well as humanistic approach that seeks to enhance the patient’s awareness and ensure that therapist effectively engage with the existing nature of one’s condition, with the patient at a personal level and applies the methods to help generate the client awareness, behavioral tools as well as their repertories of awareness. It is characterized by key principles of changing process, singularity, possible relevance, influence, time, interaction and contemporaneity and perspectival view on reality among others. It further emphasizes on key aspects of respect, fullest experiences, and empathy. Moreover, the therapist upholds a perception that as human being, we are always in relationship with one another and as a result seeks to build the patient’s curiosity and awareness of their lives. Gestalt therapy is therefore a holistic approach that seeks to enhance the client’s self-awareness and rebuild relationship with others through existential experiences.
References
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