The term ‘atmosphere’ is unhelpful to understand experience, agency, and field processes

Abstract

"While Gestalt therapy has always drawn on field theory, its origins were largely based on an individualistic paradigm. Since the later relational turn, Gestalt therapy has focussed on relationships between individuals. In this article I start from a recalibrated approach based on a field-centred perspective. Starting from the dictum that contact is the first reality, this article revisits field theory and tries to broaden our understanding of a field’s forces, including affordances (Gibson, 1979, p. 127). Recently, a few practitioners of Gestalt therapy have espoused the term atmosphere, originating from the so-called ‘New’ Phenomenology. This article discusses the shortcomings of that proposal and delineates alternatives for a field-centred approach. Drawing on a session with a client, I point out that the term atmosphere is quite unhelpful for the understanding of transgenerational trauma, or situations in general for that matter. In my view, it is also incompatible with established Gestalt thinking and practice. Key words contact, field theory, atmosphere, transgenerational transmission, Gestalt therapy, New Phenomenology"