Gestalt Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that can be conducted individually or in groups. It is also used in corporate, educational, and other organizational settings to improve workplace relationships. Gestalt therapists are encouraged to improvise and experiment, adapting to the unique experiences and needs of each client. While the sessions are highly personalized, there are certain commonly used techniques.

Key Techniques of Gestalt Therapy

• Empty Chair: This technique is probably the one most closely associated with Gestalt Therapy. It helps resolve relationship issues and promotes self-discovery. It involves sitting in front of an empty chair and speaking to it as if it represents someone with whom there is a conflict. The chair can also represent a part of oneself, fostering a more effective internal dialogue than directly discussing the problem with the therapist.
• Exaggeration: This technique uses physical behavior to uncover hidden thoughts and emotions. The therapist closely observes the patient’s body language. If a physical reaction is noticed, such as frowning or shifting in their chair, the patient is asked to repeat it in an exaggerated manner. The associated emotions are then explored, along with their connection to the experience.
• Dramatization: Different types of acting are part of Gestalt Therapy. This can include role-playing, where both sides of a conversation with someone in conflict are acted out, often referred to as the two-chair technique. The therapist may also ask you to recreate a painful or traumatic moment from the past to relive the emotions in the present and process them.en
• First-Person Statements: This technique helps you focus on your own actions and feelings, taking responsibility for them instead of blaming others. For example, rather than saying that something or someone makes you angry, the therapist will encourage you to say, “I feel angry when…”.
• Confrontation: If the therapist notices that you are avoiding something, they will challenge you to face it. While this technique may seem confrontational, it is used to encourage growth and self-awareness. However, confrontation is less common in modern Gestalt Therapy compared to its early practices, as the approach has evolved to be more empathetic and client-centered.
• Creative or Physical Activities:Instead of passive conversations, Gestalt Therapy emphasizes movement and activity. It incorporates artistic activities such as drawing, sculpting, or dancing to help you become more aware and focused on the present moment.
• Dreams: The therapist will help you explore your dreams and find meaning in them, but they will not attempt to interpret them for you.
• Dominant Dog/Submissive Dog Technique: This role-playing exercise allows you to act out two different aspects of your personality: the critical part that pushes you to be or act a certain way, and the part that feels weak and resists your internal demands for change. The goal is to create balance.