gestalt concepts

As the first ”integration” theory to successfully oppose widespread reductionism in the behavioral sciences during the 1950’s, Gestalt is an organic model that focuses on bringing into conscious awareness and choice one’s exterior and interior reality in order to achieve personal coherence and satisfaction (Perls, Hefferline & Goodman, 1951).

Gestalt concepts that describe and support these processes of integration are:

Paradoxical Theory of Change

Change occurs when one becomes what one already is, not when one tries to become what one is not; that is, change rests in the full, albeit temporary, acceptance of and investment in the status quo, rather than the dogged pursuit of a desired future state.

Cycle of Experience

The Cycle of Experience is a vehicle for examining both internal and external reality, and emphasizes the need to come full circle in order to fully integrate experience. A person (or group) approaches a new experience . . . More

Resistance

For a variety of reasons, the Cycle of Experience may be interrupted, whether intentionally to manage an in-the-moment choice or without awareness, whether sporadically or chronically. Setting boundaries in choosing what to engage in and with is an important life competency . . . More

  

Experiment

Though change is an inevitable part of life, people can intentionally or unintentionally continue patterns of behavior that do not serve their goals and objectives. The purpose of experiment is to assist client in "trying out" new behaviors or exaggerating existing behaviors to see what new possibilities for choiceful action emerges . . . More

Unit of Work

A Unit of Work provides a procedural frame of reference that helps to organize the coaching intervention. A successful Unit of Work creates energy that is sustained and purposeful. However, taking small steps . . . More

Coaching from Gestalt Concepts

Gestalt-based coaching can be called “metamorphic coaching” in that it calls for client transformation achieved through awareness, choice and integration. See how Gestalt concepts are used in Gestalt Coaching.

Presence and its role in gestalt based practice
Use of Self in OD Consulting: What matters is Presence
Mary Ann Rainey and Jonno Hanafin in "The NTL Handbook of Organization Development and Change: Principles, Practices, and Perspectives"
Jones, Brenda B.& Brazzel, Michael, (Eds), 2006, Pfeiffer, San Francisco
 

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