Cognitive Behavioral Therapy And Gestalt Therapy

There is a large availability and variety in theoretical models of counselling in Modern-day psychology. Though all of these models serve the purpose of helping individuals deal with psychological difficulties, they possess unique differences. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Gestalt Therapy are two perspectives that are fundamentally different in their approach to psychotherapy. CBT is a psycho-educational approach that believes therapeutic change is achieved by restructuring cognitive thoughts from dysfunctional to functional (Hickes & Mirea, 2012). Gestalt therapy focuses on awareness and creating real experiences in the present. A great deal of empirical research has suggested that CBT is a more effective model, though it …show more content…
CBT places importance on educating the client about understanding the approach and the theories behind it (Butler et al., 2006). Though it is designed to be a short-term approach, sessions should be a meaningful exchange between the therapist and the client, and clear goals should be identified (Corey, 2012). Goal setting should be a collaborative effort, creating a sense of teamwork and allowing the client to feel motivated to understand its purpose. When the therapist is unsure of how to progress the session, or changes direction without consulting the client, sessions can become ineffective, as clients may feel transparent. Sessions should end with the therapist addressing unanswered questions and providing feedback on the client’s progress, so a sense of closure and comfort is created. On the contrary, Gestalt therapists are characterized by their authenticity and spontaneity (Wagner-Moore, 2004). They have a more philosophical and non-descriptive approach. Though sessions do not focus on predetermined goals for the clients, the basic goal of gaining greater awareness is effective enough in …show more content…
The client acts as his or her own interpreter and the therapist acknowledges that the client is the “expert” of their own life, with the assumption that they are capable of identifying dysfunctional beliefs clouding their awareness. The therapist refrains from interpreting the client’s behaviours and instead, may question as to why the client believes they are certain ways (Wagner-Moore, 2004). In this approach, a client may feel more in control of their awareness in the present, as they identify their experiences and behaviours, and makes decisions about how to alter them to positively affect their wellbeing (Yontef, 2002). This approach allows for a balanced therapeutic relationship to be formed, and the client may feel less dependent on the therapist. Additionally, a great level of trust is necessary in both approaches so that clients feel comfortable in participating and opening up to the