Buddhist psychology informed Gestalt therapy for challenging times.

Abstract

This article is based on an invited talk that was part of the international webinar Dialogues on Psychotherapy at the Time of Coronavirus presented by Instituto di Gestalt HCC Italy. The talk was on the Buddhist psychology informed Gestalt therapy (BPGT) approach developed by the authors. It included a brief overview of BPGT and then focused on one aspect of it. During this global pandemic, psychotherapists are in need of new resources and perspectives to support us in our work and to meet the challenges patients are now bringing to the therapeutic encounter. The BPGT approach has particular relevance in this time of unprecedented crisis when humanity is being confronted on a daily basis with the universal challenges directly addressed in Buddhist psychology. These include Buddhist psychology's understanding of the reality of impermanence, how this relates to suffering, and ways to identify and work with this suffering, as we described in the talk and present here.

What is self-love? Redefinition of a controversial construct.

“…In addition, Ellis (2005) described self-acceptance as crucial for mental health (Bernard, 2013): The Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy strives to cultivate unconditional self-acceptance emphasizing the importance of not judging oneself, which is in line with our proposed model of self-love: “The individual fully and unconditionally accepts himself [or herself] whether or not he [or she] behaves intelligently, correctly, or competently and whether or not other people approve, respect, or love him [or her]” (Ellis, 1977, p. 101). Finally, Gestalt therapy also emphasizes self-acceptance because, according to this approach, there is “no need to fix, change, or get rid of our reactions” (Gold & Zahm, 2020, p. 376). Overall, self-acceptance involves to be at peace with contradicting experiences and aspects of oneself (Ellis, 2005; Rogers, 1961), which is reflected in our model through accepting one’s shadow as well as one’s strengths.…”

“…"Understanding the phenomenological experience of the present moment" (Waterman, 2013, p. 129) is-among other humanistic psychotherapy approaches-a characteristic element in client-centered therapy (Rogers, 1961) and Gestalt therapy (Perls, 1969). One important focus of Gestalt therapy is to strengthen the awareness of inner experiences (Resnick et al, 2001) and to help the client connect with his or her feelings (Gold & 2018). In respect to this objective, Gestalt therapy shares common ground with mindfulness (Gold & Zahm, 2018).…”

“…One important focus of Gestalt therapy is to strengthen the awareness of inner experiences (Resnick et al, 2001) and to help the client connect with his or her feelings (Gold & 2018). In respect to this objective, Gestalt therapy shares common ground with mindfulness (Gold & Zahm, 2018). Mindfulnessreframed as a humanistic approach (Rockwell, 2019a)-and Gestalt therapy "both highlight the wisdom and self-understanding available to us through attention to immediate experience just as it is" (Gold & Zahm, 2018, p. xxiv).…”

“…In respect to this objective, Gestalt therapy shares common ground with mindfulness (Gold & Zahm, 2018). Mindfulnessreframed as a humanistic approach (Rockwell, 2019a)-and Gestalt therapy "both highlight the wisdom and self-understanding available to us through attention to immediate experience just as it is" (Gold & Zahm, 2018, p. xxiv). Moreover, in Rogers' (1961 client-centered therapy, self-contact is an explicit aim of the therapeutic process: The individual shall "experience fully, and in awareness, all of his reactions including his feelings and emotions" (p. 90).…”

Dialogues on psychotherapy at the time of coronavirus: An introduction.

“…He presents relational chances that the COVID-19 situation can offer. Following, Eva Gold and Steven Zahm (2020) present what their model of Buddhist Psychology Informed Gestalt Therapy can offer to those who are experiencing the pandemic. The last contributions refer to two core and somehow polar aspects of this trauma: the mourning process and the complex sociopolitical and cultural background from which the pandemic has emerged.…”