Gestalt Therapy

Gestalt is a way of understanding human experience and the process of change. According to Gestalt, change only happens when we accept ourselves exactly as we are. By paying close attention to the present moment, we discover both new and familiar aspects of ourselves and unlock new possibilities for choice and growth. I receive ongoing training through Gestalt Therapy Training Center Northwest, as well as regular individual supervision and consultation.

With extensive training and years of experience, I specialize in this holistic approach that emphasizes personal responsibility and awareness in the present moment. My expertise lies in guiding clients to fully experience their thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations, facilitating self-discovery and growth. Through innovative techniques personalized for the individual, I help clients resolve unfinished business and realize their full potential, creating meaningful and transformative change.

Gestalt therapy is a relational kind of therapy that focuses on your life here and now. It emphasizes your strengths and accepting yourself the way you are. Gestalt therapy is also creative, helping you to work on your issues via different kinds of experiments. Gestalt therapy with me is lively, interactive and engaging. We will focus on options more than obstacles, the present more than the past, and strengths more than weaknesses.

With this approach, we will work together to focus on your experience in the present moment.

Trained in the Laura Perls-tradition of Gestalt Therapy.

If prefer a direct approach to resolving symptoms of anxiety, depression, and/or existential dread, this type of therapy will help you get rid of "unfinished business" and move forward.

Working with the body and the different parts within yourself are very powerful and effective ways to gain deeper insight into what is going on with us.

It can help you increase your awareness of what you are experiencing (psychically and emotionally) in each moment.

Gestalt therapy is oriented around building awareness: of ourselves, of our thoughts & behaviors, of our choices, and of our physical systems that are constantly sending us invaluable data about our experiences. Through the gestalt process, clients learn to become more aware of how their own negative thought patterns and behaviors are blocking true self-awareness.

I am a graduate of the Gestalt Institute of New England. I have four years of postgraduate training in Gestalt psychotherapy.

I love Gestalt therapy because I do people that people are more than the sum of their parts. I like how it can help increase awareness of the present moment, and I use a lot of parts work to explore sides of the client that may be less frequently visible. I also use some Internal Family System ideas that are based on Gestalt parts work to help clients be in deeper relationship with themselves and their inner motivations.

Gestalt therapy emphasizes self-awareness and personal responsibility through exploring present experiences and patterns. Techniques like role-playing and creative expression help clients gain insights, fostering self-discovery and improved relationships. Ideal for navigating life transitions and overcoming barriers to personal growth.

Gestalt is the grandmother to Internal Family Systems, which I am also trained in. We all have parts that are in conflict. Like the part of you that wants to scroll social media and another part that wants to exercise. This approach uses a unique set of skills to help you identify and connect with all your parts in order to integrate and gain inner cooperation so that you can get on with the business of having a great life.

“Gestalt therapy is about helping people become aware of what they do and how they do it, and to encourage living in the present, to ‘be here now,’ and make better choices.” – Violet Oaklander. In Gestalt therapy, I use talk or play to help you or your child experience, explore, and process thoughts, feelings and sensations to bring greater awareness, self-understanding and empowerment. I am not an ‘expert’ but a partner on your journey, in the process with you every step of the way.

I recently completed a 3 year certification program in Gestalt therapy. Gestalt therapy is a client-centered approach to psychotherapy that helps clients focus on the present and understand what is really happening in their lives right now, rather than what they may perceive to be happening based on past experience.