COUC601_ResearchPaper.docx.pdf

Abstract

Kempler’s Gestalt Family Therapy Model

Gestalt therapy, in and of itself, is recognized as one of the most phenomenological and

pragmatic of the humanistic approaches to people-helping (Jones & Butman, 2011). Because of

this, Gestalt therapists generally agree that emphasizing the why of behavior (i.e., insight and

explanations) is far less therapeutically useful than stressing the more overt what and how of

behavior and the specific ways that unfinished business can impede upon current functioning

(Jones & Butman, 2011). The underpinnings of this therapeutic approach ultimately serve as the

foundation of Walter Kempler’s own Gestalt Family Therapy model, which was greatly

influenced by his work with Frederick (Fritz) Perls (the founder of Gestalt therapy) and will

The origin of Gestalt therapy rests in the hands of its founder, Frederick (Fritz) Perls, who is credited

with launching the theory’s movement in the late 1960s. Having been trained as a psychoanalyst in

Germany between wars, Perls was greatly influenced by the tradition of academic gestalt psychology

(which researched sensation and perception) and believed that humans are ultimately growth oriented

and viewed as functioning holistically while striving to meet needs through contact with their

environment (Jones & Butman, 2011; Simmons et al., 2020). Laura Posner Perls, wife of Fritz Perls

and cofounder of gestalt therapy, is credited with adding to Perls’ efforts as she later came to

incorporate the existential philosophy and phenomenology of the theory which emphasizes the

importance of the client-therapist relationship. Paul Goodman, a prominent writer and philosopher of

the times, later joined in forging Gestalt therapy as a creative merger of concepts from existential

understand its roots in existentialism. According to Goldenberg et al. (2017), if existentialism is

concerned with how humans experience their immediate existence, Gestalt psychology focuses

on how they perceive it. Gestalt family therapy, developed by the previously mentioned Walter

Kempler, was popularized in the 1970s and 1980s and greatly inspired by Kempler’s experience

working and learning from Fritz Perls. Despite some accusations of antiquated underpinnings,

Kempler’s approach remains a forerunner of contemporary models due to its encouragement of

open and honest expression of all emotions as well as its emphasis on individual growth and the

development of “self” within family systems (Goldenberg et al., 2017). Gestalt family therapy

also rests heavily on therapist modeling of desired behavior, being a genuine person, and

utilizing the therapist’s personality to effect change (Goldenberg et al., 2017). Because

(Simmons et al., 2020). Although only a small percentage of clinicians in North America today

would describe themselves as gestalt family therapy purists, philosophically or methodologically,

Gestalt therapy continues to grow and many of its own techniques have been widely adapted by

other approaches to psychotherapy (Jones & Butman, 2011).

2022). Further, according to Clarke (2021), gestalt therapy assumes the goal of working with the

client to help them increase personal awareness (e.g., “self”) and actively challenge the

that individuals do not live on proverbial islands of isolation but are, instead, recognized as being

in constant contact and interaction with their surrounding environment; this means that any

theory of growth and development must deal with the capacity of individuals to relate to their

environment (Salonia et al., 2013). Kempler’s family therapy perspective maintains similar

groundings which support the idea that clients are expected to expand their awareness, take

responsibility for their actions, and gain a sense of autonomy and authenticity (Goldenberg et al.,

2017). Due to the risk of becoming victims to our own logical minds, living lives guided, at best,

by sensitive intelligence and practical reality…he recognizes that family is ultimately essential to

sustaining, in the deepest sense, the happening that we call living, and without whom life is

reduced to an intelligent reflex arc (Piercy et al., 1996).

Key Concepts

In an article by Clarke (2021), there are a number of principle ideas that come into play

with gestalt therapy, ranging from perception to self-awareness. To begin, Gestalt therapists

recognize that experience influences perception, thus leading to the understanding that no one

can be fully objective due to influences by environment or personal experience (Clarke, 2021).

journey to their current social and emotional location is explored, another key concept (and the

main hallmark) of gestalt therapy is the focus on the present (Frew, 2017; Clarke, 2021). That is,

if the therapist believes that a client is spending too much time in the past or their anxiety is

speeding them into the future, they will attempt to bring the client back to the present by asking

them to consider their body language or facial expressions as they process a particular event or

experience (Clarke, 2021).

Amidst this journey, as clients may eventually come to rediscover painful memories that

are difficult to face, two additional concepts are present: (1) working through pain and (2)

elevating self-awareness. First, rather than encourage avoidance, gestalt therapists strive to

nurture an open environment that invites their clients to work through any presenting feelings of

pain or anguish as they are ready to (Clarke, 2021). Next, because awareness rests at the heart of

the attention to process, not just content, which plays an important role in guiding clients through

the aforementioned concepts.

Techniques

and language, is used to help clients learn to implement “I-statements” which enable them to take

rather than focusing on others (Clarke, 2021). The next technique, the Empty Chair, is notably

According to Aryanto et al. (2021), the empty chair technique has the aim of solving problems by

deciding on the client’s problems that have not been completed in the past. The technique of role-

more dominant) and “under dog” (i.e., weak, submissive) sides of one’s personality are

presented; the client is then able to move through inner conflicts by learning to integrate these

language, the exaggeration technique may be implemented. This technique ultimately encourages

the client to exaggerate the motion or repeat it several times in a row in an attempt to process

In review of techniques associated with taking a Gestalt approach, it is important to note

that Some therapy approaches tend to focus on the therapist as an expert on distress and

symptoms. The client has more of a learning role, as the therapist shares their knowledge about

what they are experiencing and how to heal (Clarke, 2021).

here you need to identify two similarities AND two

NEED TWO –

Upon completion of this assignment, I was awakened to a number of interesting lessons I

had not known prior to completion of my research. First,

Marriage mindset

According to results provided by the Save Your Marriage Before It Starts (SYMBIS)

assessment, my partner and I are recognized as having a relationship with medium momentum.

This ultimately suggests that we are moving forward in positive ways but that we need to remain

mindful of various bumps in the road that are preventing us from maximizing our potential as a

of our present relationship. We both were brought up in rather turbulent environments which led

to various forms of experienced abuse from both relatives and former partners. This, I believe,

heightens the risk of deflated wellness for both of us. Similarly, we both have a considerable

amount of baggage we’re bringing into the relationship; from a significant amount of student

loan debt to numerous triggers caused by past traumas, but we are accepting and considerate of

the others’ needs and therefore feel quite optimistic about the overall context of our relationship.

As the test suggests, I do believe we are in a good place as far as momentum is concerned but we

will need to remain mindful of any proverbial “bumps” we face as there are many red flags that

have the potential to wreak havoc on both individual wellness and our success as a couple.

Five Issues

apparent as I was able to note the differences in how my partner and I define love; while I define

it by the order of trust, honesty, respect, caring, and loyalty, my partner does so by prioritizing

Another important insight I gained while considering the results of our attitude dynamic

is that both of us share similar resilience levels that are, unfortunately, quite low. This suggests

that we both struggle to adjust to any circumstances that are beyond our control and often see the

proverbial glass as “half empty” rather than half full. Though this doesn’t come as much of a

differences mapped out as I was reaffirmed of my own needs for having facts and ideas in a

loving and humorous, and needs an unhurried and relaxed approach while conversing; he also

needs to be able to take the time to slow things down if he is not understanding something

(SYMBIS, 2022). All of this works together to explain a number of issues we presently

experience as I am often very calculated and quick to address every presenting topic of concern

so as to move past it whereas he prefers a more mellow and optimistic approach.

compare in measuring our top five needs. While my own needs are listed as honesty, respect, sex,

intimacy, and financial support, his are listed as honesty, financial support, companionship,

security, and sex. I am not surprised that we both prioritize honesty based on previously

see differences in how we prioritize sex and intimacy. Prior to taking this assessment, I was

certain that the aforementioned would be at the height of his own needs and not my own;

however, our results suggest quite the opposite. This particular insight has granted me an ability

to better understand my partners needs as well as my own, which I intend to explore more fully

for the benefit of our relationship.

Finally, in reading about my own identity as an unwavering spouse, as well as my

partner’s identity of being an affirming spouse, I was able to come to a number of insightful

realizations as a result of reviewing how we approach and handle conflict. My partner and I can

often be rather defensive individuals which has been known to cause a number of disturbances

within our relationship. Though we love each other and are often respectful of the others’ needs,

there are times when we just seem to butt heads on a number of issues. This, I am learning, may