Experts can use many types of therapy to battle addiction. With that said, some therapy techniques are more well known than others. One example is gestalt therapy. What is gestalt therapy, and how can it help people who struggle with addiction?
What Is Gestalt Therapy?
Gestalt therapy is a client-focused type of talk therapy. The goal is to help clients focus on what is happening in the present. It helps people break through what they perceive is happening based on their past experiences. By doing that, they gain a better understanding of what is really happening in their lives.
Furthermore, gestalt therapy differs from other types of therapy in which people simply talk about past situations. It encourages them to reenact the recent events too. The reenactment can help them see through negative behaviors that block their true selves.
When Did Experts Develop Gestalt Therapy?
What is gestalt therapy? That starts with looking at its origins. Paul Goodman, Laura Perls, and Fritz Perls are the pioneers of gestalt therapy. They first developed it in the 1940s as a replacement to conventional psychoanalysis. “Gestalt” is the German word for “shape.” In therapy, they use this word to refer to the essence or character of something.
What Do People Use Gestalt Therapy For?
People use gestalt therapy to treat a range of mental problems. Some of the most common are depression, anxiety and self-esteem issues. However, couples counselors use it to resolve relationship problems, and rehab centers use it to battle addiction. Overall, it’s a very versatile therapy that works well with holistic therapy options.
How Does Gestalt Therapy Help Those Who Struggle With Addiction?
Gestalt therapy helps people who have addiction in a number of ways. First, it aims to help them overcome past traumas and other situations that have caused them pain. In many cases, past traumas lead them to use drugs in the first place. In fact, most experts agree that people can’t truly get over addiction unless they overcome the underlying problem first.
Gestalt therapy also helps people build self-esteem and confidence. These elements are essential because they support recovery both during and after rehab.
Let Us Show You How Gestalt Therapy Can Help You
At Crestview Recovery, we offer a wide range of counseling methods, including gestalt therapy. We not only help you understand what is gestalt therapy but also show you how it can help. Of course, we offer a lot more than just a gestalt therapy program. Some of the other services that we provide include:
- Extended care
- Trauma therapy
- Intensive outpatient program
- Dual diagnosis treatment
- Individual counseling
Learn more about what is gestalt therapy and how it can help you. At last, find out how a wide variety of treatments can benefit your journey to ongoing sobriety. Reach out to us today at 866.262.0531 to get started.
Since 2016, Dr. Merle Williamson, a graduate of Oregon Health Sciences University, has been the Medical Director at Crestview Recovery, bringing a rich background in addiction medicine from his time at Hazelden Treatment Center. He oversees outpatient drug and alcohol treatments, providing medical care, setting policies, detox protocols, and quality assurance measures. Before specializing in addiction medicine, he spent 25 years in anesthesiology, serving as Chair of Hospital Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and Chief of Anesthesia at Kaiser Permanente. This experience gives him a unique perspective on treating prescription drug addiction.
