And this is my existence
Gestalt dream work technique in which clients are asked to describe a dream image and follow their description with "and this is my existence
Body feedback
important part of Gestalt therapy in which the therapist consistently notices and points out client's nonverbal behavior and physical manifestations
Boundary disturbances
in gestalt paradigm, these are the ways of having "resistance to contact." the specific methods by which individuals may interrupt or resist contact are: (a) introjection; (b) projections; (c) retroflection; (d) deflections; or (e) confluence
Character armor
Theodore Reich used this term to describe muscular resistance through which clients defended against their libido
Confluence
type of boundary disturbance that involves boundary merging or the experience of not knowing where one person stops and the other begins
Contact
considered the lifeblood of Gestalt therapy and a necessary component of all learning possibilities, this is the exchange of information between self and other. definition implies boundaries that function to connect as well as separate self and other
Deflection
boundary disturbance involving a distraction designed to diffuse, reduce, or avoid contact. Perls used the term Aboutis to describe this as talking about things or about the self rather than directly experiencing contact
Dream work
working with dreams in ways that help clients own all persons, parts, and objects in their dream as a core procedure or activity in Gestalt therapy
Emotion-focused therapy
approach developed by Leslie Greenberg, PhD, that integrates person-centered, Gestalt, and existential therapy traditions
Empty chair technique
core Gestalt experiment in which the client imagines someone or a part of the self into an empty chair and then initiates and maintains a dialogue with that person or part of the self
The exaggeration technique
Gestalt experiment in which clients exaggerate their subtle, nonverbal behaviors. helps clients to reclaim their entire self- including their bodies- and amplifies the meaning of behaviors that may have been outside awareness
Explosive layer
one of the layers of neurosis in Gestalt theory
Feeling the actual
Gestalt experiment in which the therapist asks that the client make up sentences starting with the words "now" or "at this moment" or "here and now" as a way to bring the client's current physical and emotional experiences into greater awareness
Field theory
originally described by Kurt Lewin, this theory emphasizes that individuals and the environment are in a state of constant interaction. it's a holistic perspective in which everything is relations, and nothing occurs in isolation
Figure-formation process
Gestalt term for a shift in cognitive or perceptual focus. Usually, it refers to the formation of a figure or focus out of what was before in the background
Gestalt Bible
published in 1952, Gestalt Therapy: Excitement and Growth of the Human Personality (F. Perls, Hefferline, & Goodman), is considered the founding book or "bible" of Gestalt therapy. it has been described as intellectually challenging and difficult to under
Gestalt experiments
treatment methods in which clients are asked to think, act, or speak in a prescribed way as a part of therapy. examples include: empty chair technique, reversal technique, and playing the projection
Here-and-now
one of three phrases used by Yontef to describe the core theoretical factors in gestalt therapy. describes immediacy or an emphasis on being present in the moment
Holism
primary idea associate with Gestalt theory in which the whole is both grater than and different from the sum of its individual parts
I and Thou
relationship that was originally articulated by Martin Buber. one of the three phrases used by Yontef to describe core theoretical factors in Gestalt therapy. describes the deepest and most ideal and authentic therapist-client relationship
I take responsibility for
gestalt experiment in which the client is asked to use the phrase "I take responsibility for" as a prefix for whatever they're saying in therapy. especially useful for clients who externalize symptoms, it's a technique designed to address the problems tha
Impasse
one of the layers of neurosis in Gestalt theory
Implosive layer
one of the layers of neurosis in Gestalt theory
Introjection
type of boundary disturbance that involves complete acceptance of others' beliefs or standards without any critical thinking or evaluation
Mental metabolism
gestalt term for the process of assimilating ideas by metaphorically biting off what one can, chewing on it, and digesting the idea
Phobic layer
one of the layers of neurosis in gestalt theory
Phony layer
one of the layers of neurosis in gestalt theory
Playing the projection
gestalt experiment especially applicable to group therapy in which one client takes on and acts out characteristics they're describing or seeing in other members. also used in individual therapy, clients can be asked to be or act in a way that is especial
process experiential therapy
original name for emotion-focused therapy
projection
one of the five gestalt boundary disturbances; occurs when one persona places his or her emotions or traits onto others. often, these traits are those the individual would prefer ignoring or disowning
relational gestalt therapy
approach characterized by the belief that both the client and therapist bring subjectivity into therapy and neither view is inherently accurate or correct
resistance to contact
enacted as boundary disturbance, it is the reluctance or defense against true interaction with the environment or others that would allow for learning. in gestalt paradigm, repeated instances constitute psychopathology
Retroflection
one of five boundary disturbances, it has two components. first, it occurs when someoene does to themselves what they would really like to do to another person. second, it occurs when one does to someone what they would really like to have done to themsel
the reversal technique
gestalt technique, often used in group therapy, in which clients are asked to notice physical sensations, feelings, and thoughts that emerge as she or he engages in behaviors that are less obvious or typically opposite of normal for them. technique helps
Self-regulation
primary focus of gestalt therapy, it is accomplished when one is aware of his or her own needs, sensations, and desires and can therefore deal with them directly and authentically
Staying with the feeling
general gestalt therapy strategy used to help clients stay focused on what they're experiencing in the moment. by encouraging clients to be aware of what they're feeling, doing, and experiencing in the moment and giving attention, voice, or even action to
Top dog/underdog phenomenon
top dog is the righteous or know-it-all part of the personality (similar to superego or conscience) and is typically in conflict with the underdog, who is another part of the personality that undermines or frustrates the top dog
Unfinished business
term refers to experiences from the past that haven't been completely finished or processed. gestalt therapists seeks to bring this from the past into the present counseling session so it can be addressed and "finished
What-and-how
one of the three phrases used by Yontef to describe the core theoretical factors in gestalt therapy. it is an emphasis on process over content, a moment-to-moment examination of what's happening and how it's happening