Goals of Gestalt Therapy

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Goals of Gestalt therapy


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Robert L. Harmana

aU Kentucky, Counseling Ctr

Available online 12 May 2007.

Considers that the basic assumption of the theory of Gestalt therapy is that the normal, healthy person responds to situations as an integrated, whole organism. This involves a continuous process of gestalt formation as figures emerge from the background into the foreground and replace or destroy the old gestalts. Aggression consists of any contact that a person initiates with his environment. It entails a destruction of gestalts which enable the individual to be selective in his search for need satisfaction. Gestalt destruction also occurs if the need is satisfied, permitting new gestalts to form. The basic Gestalt therapy goal of healthy, holistic functioning involves helping the client to fully accept his present self and regain his ability to cope. These objectives may be achieved through the attainment of one or more of the specific goals of awareness, integration, maturation, responsibility, authenticity, self-regulation, and behavior change