Gestalt therapy emerged from a multitude of philosophical, theoretical, scientific, and cultural roots. As a product of the early twentieth century, it would be impossible to divorce the evolution of Gestalt therapy from Marxism or existentialism, and indeed the theories of Gestalt therapy in part derive from those philosophies. Moreover, Gestalt therapy at least in part originated through a therapeutic application of the perception principles of Gestalt psychology. The relationship

Gestalt therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can be of immense benefit to certain types of people with certain types of issues. It is largely considered distinct from other varieties of psychotherapy because it is greatly concerned with perception -- both how it relates to the individual as well as to the observer. Although one might argue the case that virtually all forms of therapy are preoccupied with the

Abstract Gestalt is a German word signifying a pattern or shape. The roots of Gestalt therapy can be traced to Max Wertheimer, who studied human perceptual illusions. Wertheimer’s research led to a holistic view of the human psyche that provided a necessary counterpoint to the fragmented, reductionist, and structuralist views that prevailed in research psychology. Gestalt therapy emerged after blending the principles of Gestalt with the goals of psychotherapy. In particular,

Gestalt Therapy Thoughts / Feelings / Reactions The first impression upon reading the Chapter 9 (Gestalt Therapy) is that is has a human feel rather than the harsher, less-friendly Freudian psychoanalysis. Not that all of Freud's work is harsh or standoffish, at all. But when the easy-to-digest narrative in this chapter (lacking some of the esoteric passages of Freud) refers to the "awareness of awareness" I relate immediately (Yontef, et al., 316).

Person-centered therapeutic advocates would say that the therapist can work swiftly, if that is the client's desire. But if the client is less than 100% committed to working through his or her issues the needed duration of the therapy can vastly exceed the time and money of the client. Still, person-centered therapists would point out that unlike psychoanalysis, the focus of the therapy is about 'being in the moment'

The primary difference between the two however, is gestalt therapy concentrates more on the ability of the individual to make proper choices regarding their care. This theory or approach to therapy reminds the client of the connection between mind, body and spirit. The behavior approach is less concerned with the paradigm of holistic health, and more concerned with a therapist-driven approach to identifying problems and selecting appropriate solutions. In this