Strengths And Weaknesses Of Gestalt Therapy

When compared to other therapeutic approaches, gestalt therapy is a lot less structured and much more philosophical. Perls (1969) has been quoted saying ‘One of the objections I have against anyone calling himself a gestalt therapist is that he uses a technique, a technique is a gimmick’ This being said gestalt therapists are encouraged to create their own means of assisting the client towards experiencing awareness and meaningful contact with the self and others. One of the exercises that may be used for a client in gestalt therapy is the exaggeration exercise. The aim in this exercise is for the client is to become more aware of the subtle cues and signals they are sending through their own body language. The person is asked to exaggerate …show more content…
Wagner-Moore (2004) noted in her research results the effectiveness of the empty chair technique for treating indecision, interpersonal conflict and increasing awareness. Although some of the weaknesses where found in the lack of organisation in the theory and that the experimental techniques may produce unpredictable results Wagner-Moore, (2004). Some have argued that the direct and occasionally confrontational approach used in gestalt therapy may, sometimes do more harm than good for certain types of clients. Studies found that while expression of crucial emotion may lead to insight for some, others have rejoined with a greater level of hostility (Greenberg & Safkan, 1987, as cited in Mohr, 1995). Experimental research has also found gestalt therapies to generate higher rates of deterioration than other psychotherapy modalities (Mohr, …show more content…
Studies found that cognitive behavioural therapy to be more effective than using a prescribed medication for a two-year period (Martin, 2007). These findings highpoint that cognitive behaviour therapy is not just an instant solution to emotional problems but that it’s an exceedingly effective learning experience which encourages real life long-term changes. In examining strengths and limitations of both therapies, I consider that the cognitive behaviour therapy is more effective for a number of reasons. Clients that present with the immediate cognitive, behavioural and emotional problems that are so disabling to their ‘existence in the world’, can affect them to experience overwhelming difficulty in engaging in existential-phenomenological therapy, such as gestalt, as their immediate and prodigious concerns can get in the way of such challenging types of treatment (Hickes & Mirea,