What is Gestalt Therapy?

Gestalt therapy is a humanistic and experiential form of psychotherapy that began its development in the mid-20th century. It draws from a rich blend of influences, including Gestalt psychology, psychoanalysis, psychodrama, Buddhist psychology, phenomenology, systems theory, field theory, and even elements of quantum physics. The approach was founded by Fritz Perls, along with his wife Laura Perls, and has evolved into a dynamic method centered on present-moment awareness and the integration of mind, body, and emotion.

Since its origins, Gestalt therapy has flourished and evolved into a rich and expansive field within applied humanistic psychotherapy. One of its defining features is its strong emphasis on the here and now, with awareness serving as the primary pathway to personal insight and transformation.

In the Gestalt therapy experience, awareness is a vital process—a transitional state within the personal cycle of experience. It helps bring resolution to unfinished "gestalts"—those unresolved aspects of our lived experience that linger in the background, seeking closure. By completing these cycles, we create space for integration, growth, and the natural progression into the next stage of personal development.