Gestalt is a holistic approach to human functioning, experiencing the mind, body, emotions and spirit entwined as an interactive whole, constantly working to achieve balance.
Personal growth is encouraged through development of self awareness and self support for appropriate, spontaneous and creative contact with others.

The learning and application of Gestalt Therapy is experientially based and experimentally oriented. The therapist works with what is immediately obvious and available to awareness, in the Here and Now. From there they proceed in small steps using mini-experiments with novel behaviours in order to expand awareness. In this way optimal support for creative and adaptive contact with one's environment becomes possible. It's an interactive process where past experiences and future longings are appreciated but are explored as manifested in present thinking, feeling and behaving.

Gestalt theory is grounded in phenomenology, field theory and dialogue. Current statements of what constitute best practices are a sophisticated synthesis of support and contact between therapist and client. Gestalt Therapy honours present coping skills, while exploring more holistic ways of problem solving and getting needs met.

Gestalt Psychotherapy is a process-oriented school of thought established in the 1950's by Dr. F. Perls and Dr. L. Perls in New York.

The European influences on Gestalt Therapy centred mainly around Gestalt psychology and Existential Phenomenology. After the Second World War, many of the leaders in this field moved to the USA. There Gestalt therapy and practice, evolved as a growing psychotherapy gaining enormous popularity when Dr. F. Perls moved from New York to Esalen California. The richly heuristic work of Drs. Carl Rogers and Abraham Maslow was instrumental in creating a climate for a dramatic paradigm shift in the way counseling and psychotherapy was conducted. Gestalt Therapy was created from an integration of Buberian dialogue, Phenomenology, Existentialism, Field theory, Psycho-dramatic influences and Zen Buddhism, and continues to evolve today.

The teachings and applications of this psychotherapy have now spread all over the world.

The Gestalt approach is much more than a psychotherapy which enables people to cope with their daily lives. It is a deep philosophy that also provides a practical method of transformation, leading progressively to the realisation of the evolving authentic self. The aim is the awakening of a person’s full potential, supporting what is most alive and energising.

Gestalt Psychotherapy is based on the philosophy of trusting the human potential for a growing relationship with their particular environment. Gestalt as a method has a holistic approach to psychotherapy and is based on a core belief that the desired outcome of psychotherapy is achieved through heightened awareness within the therapeutic relationship in conjunction with creative and active experimentation.

In Australia, the Gestalt training and education community has established GANZ. This is an Association for Gestalt Therapy in Australia and New Zealand and is a founding member association of PACFA (Psychotherapists and Counselors Federation of Australia). All teaching centres must apply for GANZ accreditation in order to meet professional standards of teaching and practice, and in order to be registered, Gestalt practitioners must follow a designated professional code of ethics.

Click here to visit GANZ website