Wampold’s Contextual Model for Psychotherapy: thoughts about consequences for Gestalt therapy

Abstract

This article presents Wampold’s Contextual Model for psychotherapy. This model emphasizes the general impact factors of psychotherapy that render its effectiveness, regardless of a particular therapeutic orientation. In contrast, there is the Medical Model, which stands for the scientific understanding of medicine and is all about RCT study designs, specific factors, and manuals. This overview is a short summary of Wampold's work and considers possible implications for Gestalt therapy in theory and practice. Keywords contextual model, general impact factors, psychotherapy research