The Self in Gestalt Therapy Theory

Abstract

"ABSTRACT The two fundamental elements of Gestalt theory - Gestalt's 'metapsychology' - are, first, the assertion that all human behaviour may be understood in terms of figure formation and destruction and, second, the identification of the self with those parts of the figure formation /destruction process involving contact. The Gestalt self, then, is contact. This concept of the self derives from Gestalt's existential refusal to countenance division between mind, body and world, and is, therefore, essential to Gestalt therapy's holistic and relational nature. This argument is based on an interpretation of Paul Goodman's second volume of Gestalt Therapy:Excitement andGrowth in the Human Personality (195 I), which Fritz Perls' later theory of the ""five layers of neurosis"" contradicts by implying a 'core' rather than a contact self. In one way or another, the Polsters, Lamer, Hycner, Friedman, Tobin, and Yontef all also undermine or distort 'self as contact' and, therefore, in some sense weaken Gestalt's holistic and relational stance, a stance essential to Gestalt therapy's continuing integrity. Key words: Self, contact, figure formation, Gestalt therapy, relational Gestalt, Goodman, Perls, Lamer, Yontef."