, ,

Gestalt Therapy

Being Here, Being Now

Gestalt Psychotherapy has always been a mindfulness-based therapy. Not in the “sitting quietly – doing nothing” sense but in the “living now, in this moment, experiencing, feeling and being in your life” sense. Gestalt Therapy’s main goal is to help raise your awareness, and it does this by helping you to engage with your present.

I say ‘your’ present because your life is unique to you. No-one else can experience what you experience, feel what you feel or respond the way you do. How you relate to the world around you, how you react to it and what you get from it are all things only you can know.

So many people find it difficult to engage with their lives in a ‘right here, right now’ sense. For a start, all the ‘Lifestuff’ gets in the way. We all have things to think about, do and plan for every day. But sometimes it goes much deeper than that. Sadness over the past or fears about the future can constantly distract or trouble us and it can be difficult, even impossible, to stay focused on the present moment.

So why is Mindful Awareness so important in Gestalt Therapy? Well, let’s take a look at what ‘Awareness’ is about first.
Read more

/by
,

Who is managing you right now?

Ask yourself this question: How many people are likely to want your attention today? Ten? Twenty? Fifty, maybe? That might be all the people you encounter face to face, but in truth it barely scratches the surface.
When you leave the house you will be swamped. Are you driving? Think about all the pedestrian crossings, other cars, road signs, traffic at junctions and roundabouts, indicators, brake lights, traffic lights? As soon as you get in your car the demands on your attention are changing second by second.

What about the shops? Bright signs wanting to grab your attention so they can tell you who they are, what they’ve got, why you need it and what it costs.

After all, “Your life will be emptier than a hermit’s address book without a PO490 Techno Bloaterburger! Get royally stuffed with a delicious cheesy topping for £49.99!”

And this is just the stuff you’re walking or driving past. Go on the internet for an hour and you’ll see another hundred or so ads. Sidebar ads. Popup ads. Little boxes wanting you to sign up so they can invade your inbox with some more. Read more

/by