Find your way to thrive 

Have you ever found yourself stuck or feeling like life itself is overwhelming? Did you think about seeking help, but felt like you should manage on your own, things were not bad enough or it was too daunting? Life is full of challenges, obstacles, losses and uncertainty. The post-pandemic world has become increasingly complex and navigating it can be confusing and stressful. Gestalt therapy is a powerful tool to support you in finding your own way to thrive, not just to manage when times are tough. Here are some reasons why this holistic, integrative and relational approach to psychotherapy can benefit a wide range of people. 

Gestalt therapy holds the belief that people already have the resources to lead a meaningful life, but sometimes this is prevented by getting stuck in unhelpful patterns. These patterns are ways of relating to others and our environment that often served us well in the past, but may now be a source of frustration, dissatisfaction with life, relationship issues and illness. This inevitably makes its way into the therapy room, which is like a microcosm of the outside world. Gestalt therapists help their clients shine light onto the ways in which they interact with the world. 

We all come with complex and unique stories and there are many ways to explore how our experiences impacted us. Gestalt therapists focus a lot of their attention on what happens in the present moment while clients tell their stories. Emotions linked to what is being shared come up to the surface and can be processed in real time with the support of the therapist. Feeling seen, heard and accepted in what had previously been lonely and isolating experiences brings healing and growth.

Humans are hard-wired for connection and we heal in a relationship. What occurs between the client and their therapist in sessions usually reflects something the client struggles with in their life. For example, someone who feels undeserving of love and acceptance will have a lot of trouble receiving positive comments or acknowledgment from their therapist. They might minimise it or divert the conversation. This is an opportunity to gently unpack these fixed dynamics in the safety of the therapeutic relationship, which allows the client to gain awareness of the roles they play in their own life. 

Gestalt therapists place aside their assumptions and recognise the uniqueness of every individual client. The focus of gestalt therapy is on integrating what makes people their whole self and supporting them in finding their own way towards wellbeing. This is often done in a playful and creative way. Therapy does not need to be scary and everyone can benefit from it. Whether you simply want to get to know yourself better or you are in pain and need support working through it, you can gain a lot from reaching out. By seeking help, we’re not admitting to being somewhat broken. Recognising when we need support, is a sign of self-awareness and courage. Therapy is not only a place of healing – it can be an exciting journey of self-discovery and personal growth.