Gestalt Therapy

Every individual is a combination of varying degrees of stress, genetics, mental health and physical well-being. Your therapist must offer a diverse spectrum of therapeutic modalities to be effective. While one person may respond best to close individual counseling, another may need targeted grief counseling. Gestalt therapy is a form of talk therapy that empowers you to take responsibility for your feelings and your life situations. While it isn’t for everyone, if you rely on the expertise of Dr. Zlatin Ivanov at Online Psychiatrists, you’ll find the approach refreshing, enlightening and life-changing. Call today to find out if it’s the right therapy for you.

Why Should I Care About Gestalt Therapy?

Gestalt therapy is considered a form of humanistic talk therapy that focuses on your unique personal experiences rather than your symptoms. Gestalt therapy emphasizes concern and respect for others, while making rational choices. It can be used in both group therapy and individual settings.

Choosing the right type of talk therapy requires a highly-trained psychiatrist who can analyze your individual situation. Online Psychiatrists offers expert psychiatric services in New York, New Jersey and Florida. You can access many different types of psychotherapy, also known as talk therapy, and medication management.

The ancient Chinese philosopher and author Lao Tzu, wrote “If you are depressed, you’re living in the past. If you are anxious, you’re living in the future. If you’re at peace, you’re living in the present.” Those words sum up the philosophy behind gestalt therapy. Your psychiatrist may ask you to reenact recent events, so you can actively experience the troubling feelings you have and move toward acceptance. Some techniques used in this therapy include:

• Dreamwork
• Role-playing
• Guided fantasy

Gestalt therapy, like many of the other modalities offered at Online Psychiatrists, is an equally effective therapeutic process whether performed in-person and online through the convenience of telepsychiatry.

How Does Gestalt Therapy Differ from Other Forms of Therapy?

Mental health professionals draw on one or more approaches to your talk therapy sessions. The selection depends on your goals, diagnosis and willingness to participate in a unique recovery process. Every method is designed with your specific needs in mind. The choices include:

• Psychoanalysis, a process that aims to uncover unconscious meanings behind problematic behavior
• Behavioral therapy, such as dialectical behavioral therapy, which focuses on the role of learning techniques to alter your behavior
• Cognitive therapy, emphasizing what you think, rather than what you do
• Humanistic therapy, which includes gestalt therapy in a way that closely resembles integrative therapy, focusing on you as a whole person

During gestalt therapy, you don’t spend a lot of time examining your past. Your therapist guides you to learn to take more responsibility for your actions and accept the consequences of your choices. The process helps you gain a deeper awareness of yourself and the world around you. In gestalt therapy, you’re encouraged to become more conscious of your ability to make better choices.

What Conditions Benefit from Gestalt Therapy?

If you’re experiencing a stressful time in your life or suffering from mental health challenges, you can benefit from gestalt therapy. The types of adult situational stress and mental health conditions that respond well to gestalt therapy treatment include:

• Mood disorders
• Behavior disorders
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety
• Substance use disorders
• Problems at work
• Marriage difficulties

Treatment with gestalt therapy helps you become better able to stay focused on the present moment. You learn to let go of things that happened years ago, and you stop fretting about things to come. The therapy also increases your understanding of uncomfortable emotions and improves your ability to handle stress.

Where Can I Find Expert Mental Health Care?

There are several types of talk therapy, each with its own focus and approach. Gestalt therapy helps you grow in self-awareness. Gestalt couples therapy allows couples to develop an awareness of themselves as individuals while learning to set personal boundaries. Gestalt group therapy is a safe space for sharing with others who’ve been through similar experiences. Group sessions help you move past a sense of isolation.

If you’re experiencing mood swings, depression or other symptoms of mental illness, talk to your doctor. Mental health challenges don’t usually get better on their own, and untreated mental illness can worsen over time. Get in touch with Online Psychiatrists for an evaluation. They focus on getting results and finding solutions that work for your unique situation.