About therapy

What is Gestalt therapy?

Gestalt therapy is a form on humanistic talking therapy conceptualised by Fritz and Laura Perls and their contemporaries in the 1950s. The main aim of their work was to work with clients as holistically as possible – body, mind, and soul where appropriate – in the here-and-now. Focus on the past happens in Gestalt therapy, but only insofar as it is relevant in the present.

Gestalt therapy rests on four theoretical pillars:

1. Healing in relationship through dialogue: In Gestalt, the relationship between therapist and client is a central element of the work. I seek to be in the room with you, supporting you in finding your way forward by sharing my reactions to our work as authentically as possible.
2. Focus on experience: I believe that you are the expert in your own life but that some habits and thought patterns are so engrained that you may not even notice them anymore. They are there for a reason and have served you well in the past. In therapy, I can provide an outside perspective on these habits and thought patters to help you become more aware of them and, therefore, gain control over them. As such, I try to get as close to your experience of being in the world as possible without judgement.
3. Focus on the wider context: Gestalt practitioners believe that everything that is happening currently (or indeed has happened in the past) is of potential relevance to the therapeutic process. This could be as large as social phenomena outside of the therapeutic space or the relationship between client and therapist. In my work, I may invite you to pay attention to external forces impacting your life.
4. Creativity and experimentation: Therapy provides a unique space to explore different ways of being. There are endless possibilities to the way in which this can be done; from drawing to practicing what one might say in a particular situation. Gestalt therapy, amongst other things, offers you a space to creatively explore different ways of being should you wish to do so.

Gestalt therapy is inherently optimistic about an individual’s ability to orient towards change and growth and assumes that such change and growth can only happen when we accept ourselves exactly how we are.

About Outdoor therapy

Gestalt therapy outdoors works according to the same principles as in-room with the exception that, rather than sitting opposite one another in a room, we walk beside one another in nature. A large amount of scientific literature suggests that movement in the natural world is beneficial for both physical and psychological health. Some clients also report that outdoor therapy feels more comfortable due to the reduced emphasis on eye contact. Furthermore, in a busy world, opportunities to be in nature can be few and far between – this is what brought me to outdoor therapy as a client and led me to do continuous professional development on the topic as a therapist.

I conduct outdoor therapy in any weather aside from very heavy rain and extreme heat, in which case an alternative will be offered (another day/time, in-room, or online).

Please note that, whilst I will do my best to choose routes that do not experience heavy foot traffic, confidentiality can never be fully assured when working outdoors. As such, the first session with any client will always be in-room or online, so that we can discuss the therapeutic contract in full privacy, including the contract of how we work outdoors.

About Online therapy

In recent years, the demand and provision for online therapy has greatly increased and research suggests it to be as effective as in-room therapy. The decision to attend therapy online can be influenced by many factors but above all it can make therapy more accessible as clients save time and money commuting. The principles of Gestalt therapy outlined above also apply to my online offering.

I offer therapy that is fully online as well as one-off online sessions with clients I usually see in person (e.g., to allow therapy to continue during periods of travel or reduced mobility). I use Microsoft Teams for therapy sessions as it is a secure platform with high-quality accessibility features such as live captioning. In order to engage in online therapy, you need a stable internet connection and a private space where you will not be interrupted during sessions.

If you have any questions about online therapy with me, including questions of a technical nature, please do not hesitate to contact me.