Gestalt Theory Essay

“The ‘self-image’ is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self-image and you change the personality and the behavior” (Maxwell Maltz, n.d.). Behavior and personality has been studied for centuries to gain an understanding of human nature and what motivates people to act in certain ways. Further, the manifestation of problems and mental illnesses in people’s lives have been argued among many theorists. Are problems a result of innate attributes? Or do outside sources, such as society, influence the development of problems? What causes people to change? This paper will delve into my beliefs about human nature, mental health, and the factors that influence people to change. Also, my beliefs will be weaved into Gestalt theory

This leads to the question of, “How do people change?” Self-awareness of one’s current plight, whether it is internally or externally, and an intense desire to discover new ways of living are two main ingredients to spur change. People must be fully aware that their current behavior is causing more harm than good in their lives. And on the same token, discovering that there are alternative ways of living can also make people change. However, in order for change to actually occur, people must be willing to live out new ways of behaving and thinking. For people who want to make changes, but find it difficult to make a step, a counselor can help facilitate change through encouragement and various self-empowering

Within Gestalt therapy, “the initial goal is for clients to expand their awareness of what they are experiencing in the present moment. Through this awareness, change automatically occurs” (Corey, 2013). This philosophical foundation aligns with my beliefs that people possess the ability to make their own changes when they are fully aware of their circumstances. Additionally, my concept that people, who accept outside sources without sifting through beliefs and standards that may be applicable in their lives parallels with Gestalt’s contact of introjection. People within this stage, willingly assimilate what the environment is feeding them, without dissecting what they need or want (Corey, 2013). Nonetheless, Gestalt’s unfinished business correlates with my opinion that unresolved issues can linger and clutter the present moment, resulting in maladaptive behavior and thinking. When emotions are not fully experienced, “they linger in the background and are carried into present life in ways that interfere with effective contact with oneself and others” (Corey, 2013). Within a counseling context, my beliefs that there should be a partnership between the client and therapist is one of the main goals in Gestalt’s therapeutic process (Corey, 2013). Similar to my idea that the counselor is more of a facilitator to help clients