Mindful or Mind Full? Joining A Gestalt Personal Development Group In London

Personal development group work using Gestalt therapy offers the opportunity for individuals to explore personal issues with others who are interested in understanding themselves, and their relationship with others. Some of the benefits that may arise from Gestalt group work are:

• The development of greater awareness.
• A chance to work and experiment with a wide range of emotions.
• The chance to experiment with different ways of being with others.

Gestalt therapy is an existential, experiential form of psychotherapy that focuses on the individuals here and now (present moment) experience and awareness through its approach.

Being a holistic form of psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy looks at the whole person in regards to their mind, and body (thoughts and feelings) inseparably. It’s a perfect way for individuals who are interested in finding out more about themselves. Achieving personal development and gaining an insight into Gestalt.

The origins of Gestalt Therapy were developed in the 1940’s by Fritz and Laura Perls and further influenced by the likes of Kurt Lewin and Kurt Goldstein. It was developed as a revision to psychoanalysis and focuses on an experiential and humanistic approach rather than analysis of the unconscious which was one of the main therapeutic tools at the time Gestalt Therapy was employed.

The key concepts of Gestalt & self development

Several key concepts underlie Gestalt Therapy, many of which are similar to that of person-centred therapy and existential psychotherapy. However, what does differentiate Gestalt Therapy from these therapies are some of the ideas added by Perls and associates as well as distinctive therapeutic techniques below:

• Contact with the environment: This is through looking, listening, touching, talking, moving, smelling, and tasting. This enables the individual to grow in his or her environment through reacting to the environment and changing.
• Here and now: This is the individual living in and being conscious of the present moment rather than worrying about the past or the future.
• This refers to the individual taking responsibility for his or her own life rather than blaming others.

Furthermore, influenced by oriental religions especially Taoism and Zen Buddhism, Gestalt therapy also has strong links to mindfulness therapy in its approach.

What is the purpose of a personal development group? Gestalt Therapy focuses on the integration between the ‘whole person and his or her environment. This therapy sees a healthy individual as being someone who has awareness in his or her life and lives in the here and now rather than focusing on the past or future and developing personable skills.

Gestalt Therapy has a number of successful types of therapy modality techniques that are applicable in therapy today and may be utilised across a broad spectrum of emotional issues.

Gestalt center personal development group taster sessions in London

For anyone living in London and looking for a one-day taster Gestalt centre personal development group work session held in Hackney, London.

We run workshops open to people who are looking to broaden their experience of working in groups/organizations.

Or maybe you simply want to use a taster session using personal development exercises for group work as a way to enhance your own personal development by looking at their interactions in groups.

Or for those who would like to obtain a firsthand insight into Gestalt group work / Gestalt therapy.

If you are interested in joining a Gestalt personal development group work taster session please contact Jemma and Whitney at [email protected].