Gestalt therapy could be viewed as one of the very first holistic styles of therapy. The word “gestalt” refers to the concept of wholeness and implies that the whole is much more than the sum of its parts; just like each of us is much more than the individual parts that make up our personality.

Gestalt therapy can help clients become aware of what they are doing, how they are doing it and how they can effect change in their lives, while simultaneously learning to accept and value themselves as they are.

A Gestalt therapist might focus more on the process of therapy rather than on its content (although content is not ignored). What the client directly perceives, feels and experiences, is considered more relevant than explanations and interpretations.

A typical session of Gestalt therapy will often focus on a person’s moment-to-moment awareness of their thoughts, physical sensations, feelings, and fantasies. The therapist’s job is to lovingly accompany the client on this journey and to reflect what they notice, and not to explain or interpret. Sessions are often very active; clients may be invited to become directly involved in activities, experiments and movements all designed to increase self-awareness. The moment we observe something about ourselves it starts to change.

By focusing on self-awareness in the here and now, a client can make new insights into their behavior, and can then engage in lasting self-healing.