The Ever-Evolving Landscape of Psychotherapy
If you are studying or interested in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), you’ll know that Bandler and Grinder (the creators of NLP) cite the work of Fritz Perls as one of the key influences in NLP. Specifically, the development of the tools and techniques of the Neuro-Linguistic Programming suite. In fact, in this article, I’ll share 7 ways Gestalt Therapy influences NLP, both in the mindset approach and the techniques.
To begin, let’s explain what Gestalt Therapy and Neuro-Linguistic Programming are.
What Is Gestalt Therapy?
The word “gestalt” means whole. It’s a German word that doesn’t really translate into English. However, the best summary I’ve found is ‘an organised whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts’. Essentially, just like a jigsaw puzzle, when you experience seeing the full picture, it’s a very different perspective to seeing all the separate pieces in the box.
Gestalt Therapy, a major player in the Human Potential Movement in Psychology, was originally conceived in the 1940s. Gestalt Therapy remains an important player in today’s therapeutic buffet. Consequently, its themes are present in many other prominent therapies such as CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), Mindfulness and NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming.
The core principle of Gestalt Therapy is that humans are best viewed as a whole entity consisting of body, mind, and soul. Moreover, people are best understood when viewed through their own eyes. Additionally, we find our solutions no by looking back into the past, but by bringing the past into the present.
We Are Connected To Each Other And The Environment
Gestalt therapy suggests is that a person is connected to their environmental field. Specifically, physical objects, social objects, the mindset influence of family and society and other forces in our realm. Moreover, the Gestalt approach suggests nearly all of our behaviour is related in some way, to this person-environment complex. The interaction between the person and their environment forms a relationship that takes the form of a Gestalt, or effectively a ‘part’.
Fritz Perls And Collaborators in Gestalt Therapy
Originally developed by Frederick (Fritz) Perls and Laura Perls, together with Paul Goodman and Ralph Hefferline. as a revision of Freud’s psychoanalysis.
Perls began his psychiatric career as a Freudian analyst. However, he came to the conclusion that the concept of Freudian ideas had value, and yet the philosophy and methodology of psychoanalysis was outdated. Subsequently, in the 1920’s Perls became interested in the therapeutic system being developed by Max Wertheimer, Wolfgang Kohler and Kurt Koffka. Their theory of behaviour was founded on the concept that psychological phenomena are organised and synthesised wholes rather than constellations of specific molecular parts. In fact, they called this system ‘Gestalt’.
In summary, the Gestalt Therapy approach addresses the what and how of the here and now. By working with the client’s current thoughts, emotions, and senses, the Gestalt therapist supports increased awareness of habitual patterns of living and their relationship with those patterns and experiences that may be problematic.
Systems Evolve Over Time And Yet Core Concepts Remain The Same
So, in 1951, Perls and his collaborators created the book “Gestalt Therapy: Excitement And Growth In The Human Personality.” You can click the link to buy this book on Amazon.
For many years, concepts of rationalism taught us to separate the ideas of mind, body and environment. In reaction to this, Perls suggests we have become “fractionalised people” – separated into multiple parts in our mind and energy systems. Therefore, Gestalt therapy was designed to integrate all these disparate parts of the self, in order that we can function as a whole being, comprised of energy, feelings, perceptions, thoughts, physical movements and sensations. In fact, Gestalt Therapy delivered us a harmonious, holistic approach to life.
What Is NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)?
So, what is NLP really? In summary, NLP is a collection of practical techniques, skills and strategies that are easily learned and can lead to a profound level of insight and understanding of self and others. Additionally, NLP offers a template for success, identifying how we can modify our behaviour to create a life that’s enjoyable because it aligns with our values.
On the surface, we might say it’s the study of excellence and how to replicate it. It supports you in identifying what you want in life, how to let go of physical and conceptual barriers, and gives you a step by step process for creating the life you really want.
Developed during the early seventies by Richard Bandler and John Grinder, NLP was conceived as a set of tools and techniques derived from the detailed study of the following therapists and psychological techniques:
- Fritz Perls – Gestalt therapy (See my article on Gestalt Therapy)
- Virginia Satir – Family therapy
- Milton Erickson – Hypnotherapy
You can read more about Neuro-Linguistic Programming in my article “What is NLP?”
What Are The 7 Ways Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP?
1. Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP with the concept of WHOLENESS
Self-actualisation, is the term used for awareness and the journey towards fulfilling our potential. In order to achieve self-actualisation we want to become aware of our whole selves. Frequently, people tend to have awareness of only a small part of themselves. As a result, we might think that we have limited internal resources. Consequently, if we assume we have limited internal resources, we might look for external support, which could lead to dependent behaviour.
In NLP, like Gestalt Therapy, we are always working towards wholeness and the awareness of unconscious and conscious mind, body and soul. Quite simply, by working to integrate ‘parts’ into the greater whole we create a balance perspective of life.
2. Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP with the concept of PARTS
In NLP we are always working with the idea that the integration of parts into the whole, creates a greater whole. We categorise parts into 3 types, relating to what’s in our focus:
TOWARDS – TOWARDS
A towards-towards conflict is when we want two different things at the same time. Let’s say that your CV is out with a head hunter and you gain two job offers. You like both companies and you can’t decide which offer to go for. You’re in a stuck state and the motivating emotions are POSITIVE.
TOWARDS – AWAY
A towards-away conflict occurs when we want something and we don’t think we can have it, for whatever reason. Let’s say that you’ve been thinking about setting up a business and leaving your job. You believe is that it is the best thing for you to do. However, you’re worried that you’re not financially stable enough to pursue the idea. You may set up a business on the side, you may even run it for years, and yet you stay at your job for the steady income. Even though you consciously know that you can probably create more income by giving your business 100% focus. Or, you may consistently find yourself with more and more unexpected expenses, just to prove to yourself that you’re not financially stable enough to leave your job. Either way you’re stuck between POSITIVE emotions and NEGATIVE emotions or beliefs charged with NEGATIVE emotions.
AWAY – AWAY
This conflict arises in our mind when two conflicting options do not seem safe and both are attached to negative emotions. Commitment is often floating around in this area. Additionally, we see this in challenges with emotional connection. For example, when we have a challenge in attracted committed emotional relationships, we may find ourselves in a conflict of “don’t want to be trapped, don’t want to be alone.” Furthermore, we may have challenges with emotional exposure, specifically, “when they see the real me, they’ll reject me.”
Either way, away-away conflicts tend to be harder to resolve and they often manifest in OCD (obsessive-compulsive disorder) and Borderline Personality. Resolution comes from releasing the negative emotions, any limiting ideas and integrating all parts into the whole from the client’s perspective.
3. Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP with the concept of PERCEPTION: PERCEPTUAL POSITIONS
According to this research study, “Gestalt theorizing about creative thinking was based on an analogy to perceptual processing. The sudden appearance of a complete solution to a problem was assumed to be brought about through mechanisms comparable to those underlying perception of a reversible figure, such as the reversible cube. The reversible cube suddenly switches from one interpretation, or structure, to another, as the person examines it. In a problem situation, also, more than one structure was possible. A problem existed because the person had structured the situation in a way that made solution unobtainable. In order for solution to occur, the person had to relinquish the initial analysis of the situation, which might allow a “re-structuring” to occur, which could bring about a new approach to the problem, and solution.”
The Perceptual Positions technique used in NLP draws on the ‘psycho-drama’ aspects of Gestalt Therapy and this method of the insight sequence. Specifically, “problem ⇒ impasse ⇒ restructuring ⇒ insight”. Perceptual Positions allows the client to see the challenge from one inner and two outer perspectives. When those perspectives merge, insight occurs in an ‘aha’ moment.
4. Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP with the concept of LANGUAGE: CARTESIAN QUADRANTS
In NLP, the Cartesian Quadrants technique is the linguistic version of Perceptual Positions, using the non-mirror image reverse perspective.
It offers the client two ways of accessing a solution. The first is rapid access to the unconscious through conscious confusion and the second is the mental space to consider a limiting from a broader perspective.
Again this study explains “The reversible cube suddenly switches from one interpretation, or structure, to another, as the person examines it. In a problem situation, also, more than one structure was possible. A problem existed because the person had structured the situation in a way that made solution unobtainable. In order for solution to occur, the person had to relinquish the initial analysis of the situation, which might allow a “re-structuring” to occur, which could bring about a new approach to the problem, and solution.”
5. Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP with the concept of TIME: HERE AND NOW
Gestalt therapy focuses on the here and now in two ways. Firstly, Gestalt therapy insists on expressing everything that is within the field of the awareness of the client. That awareness is then worked with in the present. Secondly, a presentation of the past or future, whether fantasy or reality, is brought into the now using gestural, postural, and verbal forms.
In a similar way, NLP focuses on the where are we now and where do we want to go. Even though much of Neuro-Linguistic Programming focuses on the future, we are constantly working to simultaneously anchor the NOW.
This presence in the moment helps us define the HOW of getting where we want to go. Moreover, language techniques, such as Meta-Model questioning, allow us to work with the client to assess what is reality NOW, rather than in the past or the future.
6. Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP with the concept of RESTRICTION CAUSES IMBALANCE
This if fundamental to both NLP and Gestalt Therapy.
To give you an example, we have to think of our unconscious mind in a similar way as the rebellious 2-year old or teenager. The moment you say to yourself “I can’t, mustn’t, shouldn’t” etc, the unconscious mind says “Yes I can”. To visualise this just think of a scenario where someone shows you a big red button and says “whatever you do, don’t press the big red button!”
What do you want to do? Now you know how this works. So, we can now understand that categorisation and judgement (about self and yet projected outwards) is always limiting us in some way.
In fact, to fulfill and expand into our full potential we have to be willing to release all restriction from our mind, which, in turn, frees our body and mind to find solutions and self-healing. In NLP, we consider all negative emotions, negative or limiting beliefs and parts to act as a restriction in our mindset.
7. Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP with the concept of EMOTIONS: ANCHORING AND TIME LINE THERAPY® BRING EMOTIONS INTO THE NOW FOR RELEASE.
Gestalts form like a vortex. For example, if we experience emotional or physical pain we then create a vortex around that point of pain so that everything creates from that perspective. Perhaps you might say that every idea is tarnished by the original pain.
In both anchoring and Time Line Therapy® we bring the awareness of that pain, emotional or physical, into the now for release. For example, we bring physical pain into the present awareness and we ask how this manifestation of physical pain relates to a trapped emotion (Pain Paradigm). Moreover, we bring a decision or belief created at a time of emotional pain into the present awareness and then use our current perspective to release it.
This act of bringing into the now helps us to be more present and release outdated views we have used as filters for our identity.
There Are More Than 7 Ways Gestalt Therapy Influences NLP
Of course, there are more than 7 ways Gestalt Therapy influences NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming). If you’re interested to explore this further, you might want to consider NLP Training with me.
Find Out More About Working With Me
To find out more about coaching with me, or if you’d like to arrange a call to see if we’re a good fit for one another, please send me an email to sarah@sarahmerron.com.
Find out about NLP Training here.
