Benefits of Using Gestalt Therapy to Treat Trauma

Trauma can be related to an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual's overall functioning which includes: mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being".

From this trauma is created what is called wounding messages, which are the underlying messages (typically developed in childhood) from one or multiple experiences that filters how we interpret, make contact, or attempt to get our needs met.

These wounding messages create the shattered self. Shattering of self is the process of disowning parts of the self that are vulnerable, taught that was "bad", or misunderstood to feel safe or fit in. A disconnection of the mind, body, and soul (emotions/feelings). When individuals operate from the shattered self, they change their contact with themselves and others. Which can create problems in communication, relationships, the ability to think or focus, parenting, sexuality and affection, and conflict resolution just to name a few.

Why use Gestalt therapy?

• Increases authentic contact with self, others, and their environment.

• Allows people to identify coping skills to address core emotional issues.

• Provides a framework for understanding functional and dysfunctional behaviors that stem from wounded messages.

• Increases compassion for self and others.

• Creates a deeper language and sense-making framework for the personality trait-based approach.

• Positions individual experiences, patterns, and behaviors within current and historical context.

• Helps couples/partners and families to identify underlying motives for destructive verbal and non-verbal behaviors or forms of contact that may be negatively impacting their relationship.

• Enables the couple/partners and families to move beyond a pattern of blaming conflict on "personality differences".

• Reduces judgement and criticism of partners/family while building understanding and respect for personality differences.

• Provides a framework for making sense of and resolving conflict and challenges.

• Increases understanding of how each person attempts to self-protect, make connections, and their needs met.

References

Cron, I.M. & Stabile, S. (2016). The road back to you: an Enneagram journey to self-discovery.

Downers Grove, Illinois: IVP Books, an imprint of InterVarsity Press.

Mayer, G. (2014, January 27). Gestalt therapy simplified. Coaching, counseling, dept psychology, and

spiritual awareness. https://gwynnemayer.com/2014/gestalt-processes-simplified/

(n.d.). Defining Trauma. Trauma-Informed Care: Implementation Resource Center. https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma/

O'Leary , E. (2013). Gestalt Therapy Around the World. Wiley