Gestalt Therapy for individuals and couples.
What is Gestalt Therapy?
What happens between us in the here & now? Gestalt therapy brings awareness & new perspectives..
1 Experiential & Relational
Gestalt therapy is an experiential (your experience is valid), relational therapy in which we focus on what is happening in the here-and-now, between you and the other (and; you and me).
By reflecting on this, you can gain insight into your patterns, you will notice where you get stuck and you learn how you can get more choice about how you do what you do. Not solely by yourself, but in relation to others.
Sometimes the problem you are experiencing may have its origins in the past. In that case I help you to interpret your experiences so that this situation can get some relief and become an integrated experience.
2 Body oriented
Physical and psychological pain always have a shared origin. That's why I sometimes suggest that you don't 'have' your body, you are your body.
Your body often knows exactly what to do. If you are bothered by something, or if you feel pain somewhere, that is a signal.
By focusing on this pain or a fague sensation, we can specify what you already know 'deep inside' and determine your need. Often unconscious or hidden desires and feelings are given a place again. Direction usually follows, without pushing for change.
I am a firm believer in the self healing and self-regulating capacities of our bodies.
A lot of my bodily work entails listening to both our bodies and finding the right meaning (you will know).
3 Awareness
Another important element of the Gestalt is that every human must always be understood in interaction with his environment.
Your problem never stands alone but always 'lives' in interaction with your environment (partner/family/work/social)
Having awareness over what happens in me, what interactions trigger me? And what does it do to the other is a big aim of Gestalt Therapy. Awareness goes beyond understanding or realising, it (you) aims towards finding more freedom in your relationships.
4 Existential therapy
Stemming from the existentialist philosopher Heidegger, I focus on the concept of dasein; which basically means being-there.
How can we be here, in this world that surrounds us and influences us? we cannot be seen separate from the world we live in. How can we carry our lives? This is a general part of my attitude, but more specific existential themes can also be a topic to explore.
Existential themes can be;
- Life & death themes (why am I alive? what's gives me meaning?)
- Being in the here & now (Why am I drawn to the past or the future)
- Existential dread/ existential crisis (I am stuck/ This life isn't what I want it to be)
- Being a responsible human. (I take ownership in what I do)
- Being your true self (I am an authentic human being, not a human- doing)
- Shadow work (What forces me to only show a certain part of me? What part can nobody ever see and how does it effect my life?)
Okay, I'm interested. And now?
During a first consultation, the most important thing is you can discover if you feel there's a connection with me. Don't feel it? No problem, I'm happy to refer you to a colleague who might be a better fit.
I also think it is important to hear about what problems you are experiencing and I will be honest with you if I can provide what you need.
Your process comes first.
