Gestalt Groups
4. What are some advantages of the Gestalt emphasis on re-experiencing past traumas as though they were occurring in the present?
Put clients in closer contact with their experiences. Fully experience and emotions of the situation and deal with it using the support that group is offering you. Allow clients to process events/deal without dwelling on them; using the "what" happened helps unfold the "why" it happened
9. Give a concise description of each of the following, along with its purpose.
A) the dialogue approach: Intended to help the individual become aware of internal splits and promote internal integration. ?? B) making the rounds: Intended to help the group member recognize a hidden fear. The group member goes around to each member of the group and say something that he or she does not usually communicate verbally. C) rehearsal: Members say out loud what they are silently thinking. Designed to bring awareness to a process which is typically done without awareness. D) dream work (team work makes the dream work): The intent is to bring the dream back to life and recreate it as if it were happening right now. Dreamers are asked to narrate their dreams as if they are happening in the current moment or to enter into every detail of the dream that they remember. E) exaggeration technique: Individuals become more aware of the subtle signals and cues we send through body language. Movements, gestures, and postures are exaggerated so that the meanings they communicate become clearer. When the movement is exaggerated the feelings are experienced more intensely and become more aware of the inner meaning of the behavior. F) language usage: "it," "you," "can't" statements, "oughts" & "shoulds" It statements distance people from the experience of their own emotions. Members should be encouraged to change their it statements to I statements. You Statements detach the speaker from what they are feeling. Changing You to I we reveal ourselves more and take responsibility for what we are saying. Can't statements often mean that the individuals actually mean "I won't" When we can properly substitute the two phrases the group leader helps the individual to take responsibility for their decisions and accept their power. Oughts and Shoulds should be changed to "I choose to" because it encourages individuals to take responsibility for their decisions and accept their own power.
1. Describe the basic assumptions underlying the Gestalt approach to group work. What are some of the implications for group practice of these assumptions
Best understood in relation to our environment. The basic goal is to provide a context in which they have an increased awareness of what they are experiencing and quality of contact with others. It is grounded in the here and now and phenomenological in that it emphasizes how we see the world and how we contribute to creating our experience in ourselves. Experiential in that group members are able to come to grips with the here and now of what they are doing. To live fully in the present you need to deal with anything from the past as if it were occurring in the present. Emphasize member experience more than therapist interpretation. Integration of conflicting dimension: individuals can self regulate especially if they are aware of what is happening in and around them.
5. The core of the Gestalt methodology is awareness, or recognizing what one is thinking, feeling, sensing, and doing. How does the Gestalt group leader see this awareness as a crucial and basic part of the therapeutic process?
Employ the figure-formation process when they assist members in paying attention to what becomes figural for them. They ask questions "What?" and "How?" Practically focus on the group members movement, postures, voice, gestures and interactions with others. With awareness group members discover how they are functioning in the world. You can't change until you know who and what you are. You can't change just by trying to change. This makes awareness the KEY aspect of Gestalt therapy. It's crucial because you have to help the clients to come to a better awareness of themselves and the group before you can make any changes.
8. Discuss the role and functions of the Gestalt group leader.
Encourage members to heighten their awareness and attend to their contact styles. Models the process of useful interactions by disclosing his or her own awareness/ experience. The leader's function is to create an atmosphere and structure in which the group's own creativity and inventiveness can emerge. Assume an active role by employing a wide range of interventions and experiments to help group members gain awareness and experience their internal and interpersonal conflicts fully. Promotes a nurturing climate within the group. While therapist is active, basic work must be done by group members.
10. Discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the approach.
Gestalt often elicits emotions which can be tempting to focus on and give less attention to cognition Potential misuse of power (very active), without sensitivity, empathy, etc they can "boomerang" Group members can rely on leader to come up with "experiments" rather than their own Ethical practice - can have powerful effects on members (constructive or destructive) Misapplication can allow group leader to hide personal responses More damage than good if group leader isn't knowledgeable Need to intervene in a way that respects client's reluctance (support and invitation to risk) - problematic if done improperly, especially pushing the client Want to focus on the flow of experience not the mechanical use of techniques to get an effect
6. What is the position of the Gestalt leader in using questions?
Help members gain a sharper awareness of what they are thinking, feeling, and doing. Leads to present-centeredness. There is value in attaining to observable behavior and creating a climate where group members can come into contact with their changing awareness from moment to moment. Ask how and what of experiencing but avoid why questions.
2. What are the therapeutic goals of the Gestalt group? Discuss.
The basic goal is increased awareness. Awareness requires self knowledge, responsibility for choices, contact with the environment, immersion in current experience, self acceptance and the ability to make contact. Integration Therapy attempts to awaken the the lost parts of awareness to the possibilities and the current set of field conditions. Bc the environment is not completely responsive to the individual's needs Paradoxical theory of change: Personal change tends to occur when we become aware of what we are rather than trying to become what we are not. Personal goals for each member and a group of process goals for the group. Equal attention to process and content
3. Discuss the concept of the "here and now" as it relates to Gestalt therapy. How does this approach deal with both the past and the future? In what ways can focusing on the present moment bring more vitality to a group?
The present moment is lively and exciting participate don't anticipate. The past is important but only insofar as it is related to our present functioning. Bring past problems by reenacting the situation as if it were happening now. Make use of the empty chair technique or look at someone in the group and talk to them as if they were someone else or vice versa. Unfinished business: unexpressed feelings and events and memories that linger in the background and clamor for completion. Affects current functioning if it isn't dealt with. Increases vitality in that it's not just one person talking about their past or future but the whole group participating in a vital moment. Many patients live in the future as if it is now. Making the awareness of the present the most important thing. Time Disturbance occurs when Using current feelings to drive them towards their goals How is the future affecting you now--what about the future is affecting you now
7. Discuss the concept of unfinished business from the Gestalt viewpoint. How would a Gestalt group leader attempt to work with unfinished business in a group? What are some techniques for dealing with unfinished business?
Unfinished business: unexpressed feelings and events and memories that linger in the background and clamor for completion. Affects current functioning if it isn't dealt with. Work with it via role playing and the empty chair technique. Encourage expression of feelings never directly dealt with before--deepen awareness of these feelings by even exaggerating them
