A Gestalt Theory of Group Psychotherapy
Nonfiction, Health & Well Being, Psychology, Psychotherapy, Interpersonal Relations
| Author: | Peter Philippson | ISBN: | 1230003129777 |
| Publisher: | Manchester Gestalt Centre | Publication: | March 12, 2019 |
| Imprint: | Language: | English |
| Author: | Peter Philippson |
| ISBN: | 1230003129777 |
| Publisher: | Manchester Gestalt Centre |
| Publication: | March 12, 2019 |
| Imprint: | |
| Language: | English |
This paper presents a theory of groups and group psychotherapy, based on the Gestalt Therapy theory of Self, and informed by present-day thinking about human intersubjectivity, especially the work of Daniel Stern. In both these approaches, self is seen as arising from what Stern calls the ‘intersubjective matrix’ rather than belonging to the individual. Thus a ‘group matrix’ with different norms and rules than a person’s everyday life will inevitably call out different self-possibilities, and this, rather than an individual exploration, becomes the basis for therapeutic effectiveness.
This paper presents a theory of groups and group psychotherapy, based on the Gestalt Therapy theory of Self, and informed by present-day thinking about human intersubjectivity, especially the work of Daniel Stern. In both these approaches, self is seen as arising from what Stern calls the ‘intersubjective matrix’ rather than belonging to the individual. Thus a ‘group matrix’ with different norms and rules than a person’s everyday life will inevitably call out different self-possibilities, and this, rather than an individual exploration, becomes the basis for therapeutic effectiveness.
