Gestalt therapy

Body language Throughout therapy, a gestalt therapist will concentrate on body language, which is considered a subtle indicator of intense emotions. When specific body language is noticed, the therapist may ask the client to exaggerate these movements or behaviors. This is thought to intensify the emotion attached to the behavior and highlight an inner meaning

Topdog-Underdog- A commonly utilized Gestalt technique is that of the topdog-underdog dialogue. This technique is used when the therapist notices two opposing opinions/attitudes within the client. The therapist encourages the client to distinguish between these two parts and play the role of each in a dialogue between them (Patterson, 1986). The tyrannical 'topdog' demands that things be a particular way whilst the 'underdog' plays the role of disobedient child. The individual becomes split TOPDOG 900 between the two sides struggling for control.

• Topdog-Underdog- A commonly utilized Gestalt technique is that of the topdog-underdog dialogue. This technique is used when the therapist notices two opposing opinions/attitudes within the client. The therapist encourages the client to distinguish between these two parts and play the role of each in a dialogue between them (Patterson, 1986). The tyrannical 'topdog' demands that things be a particular way whilst the 'underdog' plays the role of disobedient child. The individual becomes split TOPDOG 900 between the two sides struggling for control.
• Fantasy is used in Gestalt Therapy to increase clients' self-awareness of their thoughts and emotions and to bring about closure to unfinished business (Seligman, 2006). Therapists use guided imagery techniques (fantasy) to encourage clients to imagine. situations such as what they would do in a certain situation or by projecting themselves into different roles.

The Body as a Vehicle of Communication Gestalt Therapy sees that not only are thoughts and emotions important to creating a feeling of "wholeness" for the client, the physical sensations are also important. Seligman (2006) has identified three strategies to help with focusing attention on the physical sensations: • Identification Gestalt: Therapists should be able to recognize physical signs of their clients. For example, a client might be tapping their feet on the ground. The therapist may say "Become your leg and give it a voice?" This creates awareness of the client's physical sensations and emotions. Locating emotions in the body: Gestalt Therapists may ask clients where they are experiencing the emotion in their body. For example, a client may say they are feeling nervous about something. The therapist may ask where this is coming from in the body and the response from the client may be that the feeling is butterflies in the stomach. This helps the client to bring about more awareness into sensations and their emotions.

• The Body as a Vehicle of Communication Gestalt Therapy sees that not only are thoughts and emotions important to creating a feeling of "wholeness" for the client, the physical sensations are also important. Seligman (2006) has identified three strategies to help with focusing attention on the physical sensations: • Identification Gestalt: Therapists should be able to recognize physical signs of their clients. For example, a client might be tapping their feet on the ground. The therapist may say "Become your leg and give it a voice?" This creates awareness of the client's physical sensations and emotions. Locating emotions in the body: Gestalt Therapists may ask clients where they are experiencing the emotion in their body. For example, a client may say they are feeling nervous about something. The therapist may ask where this is coming from in the body and the response from the client may be that the feeling is butterflies in the stomach. This helps the client to bring about more awareness into sensations and their emotions.