You are here

Skills in Gestalt Counselling & Psychotherapy
Share

Skills in Gestalt Counselling & Psychotherapy

Fourth Edition (Revised and Updated Edition)


April 2018 | 344 pages | SAGE Publications Ltd
This practical guide to the gestalt approach has successfully introduced thousands of trainee therapists to the essential skills needed in gestalt practice. The authors offer practical guidance on the entire process of therapy including setting up the therapeutic session, creating a working alliance, assessment and treatment direction, managing risk, supervision, adopting a research approach, and managing difficult encounters.

The Fourth Edition has been updated to include:
  • Some implications of working in the twenty-first century, including working virtually
  • Updated content on trauma
  • An enhanced discussion of mindfulness and awareness
  • New case examples and exercises
  • Updated references and further reading
 
PART ONE: GESTALT THERAPY IN PRACTICE
 
Chapter 1: The Important First Steps
 
Chapter 2: Phenomenology and Field Theory
 
Chapter 3: Awareness
 
Chapter 4: The Therapeutic Relationship
 
Chapter 5: Assessment and Diagnosis
 
Chapter 6: Treatment Considerations
 
Chapter 7: Strengthening Support
 
Chapter 8: Shame
 
Chapter 9: Difference and Diversity
 
Chapter 10: Experimenting
 
Chapter 11: Making Contact
 
Chapter 12: Unfinished Business
 
Chapter 13: Transference and Counter-transference
 
Chapter 14: Embodied Process
 
Chapter 15: Working with Dreams
 
Chapter 16: Ending the Journey
 
PART TWO: SPECIALIZED AREAS OF PRACTICE
 
Chapter 17: Assessing and Managing Risk
 
Chapter 18: Resourcing the Client
 
Chapter 19: Depression and Anxiety
 
Chapter 20: Trauma Part 1: Assessing and Stabilizing
 
Chapter 21: Trauma Part 2: Processing and Integrating
 
Chapter 22: Brief Therapy
 
Chapter 23: Working Virtually
 
Chapter 24: Spirituality in Counselling
 
Chapter 25: Ethical Dilemmas
 
Chapter 26: The Reflective Practitioner
 
Chapter 27: Self-Supervision

Gestalt therapy is often misrepresented and misunderstood, so I was delighted to read this clear and well-written book. This is an all-inclusive, whistle-stop tour of how to practice contemporary Gestalt. The book guides the reader step by step through the practice, starting with assessment and moving on to creating working alliance, managing risk, undertaking research and many other topics. It is written in simple language, with exercises to engage the reader, alongside examples and case studies. I recommend this as a valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn more about contemporary Gestalt theory and practice.

Anne Gilbert
Gestalt pyschotherapist and supervisor

Excellent book, easy to understand and very informative

Ms Lucy Helen Anacleto
Psychology, Arden University
January 27, 2022

This is a good practical book for all trainee counsellors. Easy to read, it links theory to practice in a concise and clear way. It gives a comprehensive overview of the Gestalt therapeutic approach from the first steps all the way to end of therapy.

Mrs Ana Paula Wellbrook
Counselling and Psychology, City Lit
September 6, 2019

Very good book for Level 4 Diploma course.

Ms Edna Ogundare
Counselling and Psychology, City Lit
July 24, 2019

A good overview for students who wish to know more about Gestalt and a corner stone for reference.

Ms Su Illingworth
Professional Development, Craven College
July 5, 2018

Sample Materials & Chapters

The Important First Steps