Existential or Gestalt
1. How are the theories similar and different?
- Both theories are relationship- oriented theories. As well as focus on the person as a
whole, promoting self awareness. Gestalt therapy focuses on the present day, gestalt
therapy is based on increasing a person's awareness and self direction, because in this
theory it’s believed that people are influenced by their present environment. Gestalt
therapy is focused on the here and now issue, current problems, while Existential therapy,
focuses on the exploration of “givens of life” Corey 2021. Or as Tan puts it “helping
clients experience their existence in an authentic, meaningful and responsible way.” (Tan,
2011, page 105). Nevertheless they both are trying to achieve self awareness but in
different ways
2. What are some strengths and limitations of each theory?
-Gestalt strengths is that it focuses on the current issues of the client which is what most
people want when they go to therapy, they want solutions and ideas on how to deal with
current issues, however, this can get to be frustrating to a client once they realize that the
therapist isn’t giving them answers but rather wanting them to figure it out on their own
and be self sufficient. “Gestalt therapy is a method that therapists use in order to allow the
client to find their own insight and answers rather than waiting for the therapist to
provide the insight or answers for them. Clients are forced to become aware of who they
really are rather than who they should be.” (Taylor, 2019). Existential therapy from a
diversity point is a very useful approach, “most useful approach to helping clients of all
cultures find meaning and harmony in their lives, because it focuses on the sober issues
each of us must inevitably face.” Corey 2021. Another issue is that this theory is too
focused on philosophical assumptions which do not always take into consideration all
other factors that individuals have in their lives
3. What are some ways that each theory is compatible and incompatible with
Christian concepts?
- Gestalt therapy over all concept is compatible with Christian concepts because it focuses
on your present issues, in other order we are taught to lay out worries, and the future in
God’s hands, which in return only allows us to focus on today, not tomorrow. Matthew
6:34 is “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.” however there are major incompatibilities when
we deconstruct each element of the theory. Such as it doesn’t address the larger
existential and spiritual question of after death, or after life. As well as it and I quote “ on
subjective experiences as the foundation of one’s life and growth towards
self-actualization.” tan page 176. This of-course leaves the question of morals and
absolute right and wrong, which takes us to gray areas and that's not christian like
behaviors. Existential therapy does meet some compatibility with Christian concepts,
however, it has many shortcomings. For example, the big existential questions, while it is
good to ask those questions and questions, it’s important to remember that there is a God,
and the theory just promotes asking the questions nothing further. Humans are suppose to
have God as its main focus and center their worlds around him and his teachings. When it
comes to life and death, its important to note that while yes being okay with death and
knowing it’s coming, because the theory doesn’t have an optimistic view of death, it’s
important to note that many individuals will be overwhelmed about death, and the end is
scary if you don’t give hope. “Jesus Christ is also the ultimate answer to death, having
conquered death by his resurrection.” Tan, 2011, page 122
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1. Based on each theory’s concept of psychopathology, discuss any limitations as far as
creating measurable outcomes for clients.
- There are limitations to gestalt therapy, Corey mentions an Indian man who was
very uncomfortable with the idea of bringing his father in the room, or even to
symbolically think of him to tell him how he feels about the relationship.
Different cultures have their customs and, when it comes to addressing anger or
discontent towards a parent, individuals can feel guilty and unable to do it. In the
case of Stan, talking about his father while he did it was very uncomfortable, so
it’s a hit or a miss with this therapy’s techniques due to cultural reasons.
Existential therapy while it is in fact discuss free will and self-awareness, tan
mentions that it can be dangerous, “danger exists that the existential therapist will
try too hard to be therapeutically loving and authentically vulnerable and
ultimately do so in ways that are potentially harmful to the client,.” page 123.
Boundaries are very easy to set and break, so it’s important that the relationship
remain professional.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%206%3A34&version=NIV
Corey, G. (2021). Theory and practice of counseling and psychotherapy. (10th digital ed.).
Cengage Learning.
https://ng.cengage.com/static/nb/ui/evo/index.html?snapshotId=3406422&id=1754716731&depl
oymentId=5984212456081789445510205591&eISBN=9780357435861
Links to an external site.
Tan, S.-Y. (2011). Counseling and psychotherapy: A Christian perspective. Baker Academic.
