Gestalt Family Therapy - Essay Example

In this therapy the experiences of the patient are not interpreted by the therapist instead the patient is encouraged to become aware of their needs and to accept them, come to an understanding of how to fulfill them and then let go of them. In this therapy the experiences of the patient are not interpreted by the therapist, but the therapist works along with the patient to enable them to understand themselves. This therapy helps a patient to become a well adjusted individual who understands that in life there is a constant flow of needs and one has to accept them, understand them, fulfill them if possible or let go of them without regrets.

Gestalts Family Therapy is an extension of these goals, in that, the therapy is not for an individual but extends to the family. Walter Kempler, who initially worked with Perls, brought about this form of Family Therapy. His immediate goal is to engage the entire family in therapy, such that the members who seek to come together and at the same time separate can resolve their issues using Gestalts Therapy and thus resolve their problems. The final goal is accepting reality as it is, and thus accepting one’s own and the other’s movement to and away from togetherness.

This could mean freedom and relief for one and loss and grief for another. Gestalt Family Therapy allows one to realize this loss, grieve for it and then move on. (Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Kempler) The basic aim of this therapy is to bring about self awareness. The goal of Gestalts therapy is to help patients in discovering their ability to regulate and have successful relationships with others who share their space (i.e. with family, at work, with friends etc) and to connect with their inner selves and accept themselves as they truly are.

The therapist helps the patient to uncover the unresolved issues which fade into the subconscious and then helps the patient to understand