COU102A Essay: Comparing Gestalt and Cognitive Behavioural Therapies

This essay provides a comparative analysis of Gestalt and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), two prominent therapeutic modalities used in counseling. The introduction establishes the importance of psychotherapy in addressing mental health issues, emphasizing the collaborative nature of therapy and its role in managing various emotional and psychological difficulties. The main body delves into the core principles of Gestalt therapy, highlighting its focus on the 'here and now', promoting self-awareness, and exploring the individual's present environment. It discusses how Gestalt therapy utilizes empathy and unconditional acceptance to help individuals overcome distress and address conditions like anxiety, bipolar disorder, and depression. The essay then explores Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), explaining its approach to identifying and modifying destructive thought patterns that influence behavior and emotions. It outlines CBT's techniques, including journaling, role-playing, and goal-setting, and its effectiveness in addressing conditions such as substance abuse, anxiety, and depression. The essay highlights the strengths of both therapies, such as improved mental health and coping skills, while acknowledging limitations like the commitment required from therapists and clients. The conclusion summarizes the benefits of both Gestalt and CBT, reinforcing their value in promoting mental well-being through counseling and therapeutic interventions. The essay provides a comprehensive overview of both therapeutic modalities, discussing their concepts, interventions, strengths, and weaknesses, thereby offering valuable insights into their application in addressing mental health challenges.

Gestalt & Cognitive Behavioural
therapeutic modalities

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................5
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................6

INTRODUCTION
Psychological therapies which is related with the mind and behaviour which is optimise in
such a way which show the involvement that provide the exploration which is based on the
psychological factor that derive the approach which provide the aspect that analyse complexities.
The psychological therapy which is usually collaborative space in order to explore the difficulties
in the safe and confidential setting. Therefore, the psychotherapy is defined as the way which
help to show the aspect where people with the wider way show the variety of mental and illness
and emotional difficulties (Barrett and et. al., 2018). Psychotherapy or talk therapy is defined
way which help to control the stress, anger and various aspect which may associated with the
various term which may be require psychological therapies to control the issue which may be
associated with the mental health. The psychotherapy is also help to eliminate or control the
troubling symptoms which is focus on the person that can perform the function which can
enhance the wellbeing and healing. In this report, the major of discussion is based on the Gestalt
and Cognitive behavioural therapy which is based on the various aspect that is productive to
know the benefits and concept with the proper strength and weakness of therapies which is above
stated (Brownell and et. al., 2019).
MAIN BODY
Gestalt psychology is usually focus on the modern study of perception. The Gestalt theory
which is emphasize that the whole thing is usually greater than the part which may be provide the
attribute of the whole which is deducible from the aspect of analysis that provide the part of
isolation. In addition, the word Gestalt is usually defined as the modern German that provide the
mean which is focus on the thing which has been placed or used to put together. There is no any
exact equivalent which is related with the English. With the context to the gestalt therapy, it is
defined as the form of psychotherapy which is also showing the centred approach which follow
the context of enhance person awareness, freedom and self-direction. In addition, it is also
analysed that the form of therapy which is usually focus on the present moment as compared
with the past experience (Francesetti, and Roubal, 2020). The Gestalt therapy also focus on the
idea which is helpful in order to solve the issue which is related with the mental health which is
usually influenced by their present environment. The environment which is usually related with
the context to growth and balance that is associated with the personal level are analysed by the
1

Gestalt therapy. The Gestalt therapy focuses on the use of empathy and unconditional
acceptance. It helps to provide the individual get rid of the distress by explore the leaning which
is based on the trust and accept what they feel (Francesetti, and Roubal, 2020).
In addition, the basic concept of gestalt is usually related with the term with no direct
English translation. It is usually focus on the mean which is related with the whole or form.
Therefore, the idea provides the views which is every individual as the blend of the concept of
mind, emotions, body and soul with the unique experience and realities which is based on the
term of Gestalt therapy. While taking the context of psychology, the professional that used to
focus on concept which is help to show the concentration on the happening in their life at the
present moments rather which is focus on their past experience. Gestalt are usually focus on the
present moment that provide the aspect which is usually associated with the therapy put focus on
the their and now. Through gestalt therapy, individual which is able develop the new perception
and bring positive changes which is based on the lives. In addition, they can focus on the gestalt
therapy promote enhance promote the increased self-awareness and clear understanding of
thought, emotion and show the behaviour (Horwood and et. al., 2021).
Hence, the introduction which is based on the Gestalt therapy that has become a proven and
effective therapeutic approach in address and treating different mental health condition. Some of
these condition is well focus on the issue that include anxiety which is focus on the Gestalt
therapy which help to focus on the people presence. It also shows their presence in order to
discover the current thought, feeling and behaviour which may influence wellbeing and health of
the person make them more anxious. The Gestalt therapy which is also help the people with the
behavioural situation which is usually related with the condition such as bipolar disorder. it is
also analysed that the effective therapeutic method which is useful in order to take the aspect of
substance abuse, compulsive gambling and PTSD (Leeuwerik and et. al., 2020). In addition, the
people used to face the issue or challenges with the such condition may developed the new view
through the gestalt therapy and show the aspect which help to provide the positive change in the
term of their lifestyle. In the case of depression, the Gestalt therapy are usually focus on the
aspect which is based on the self-awareness that help the people with the depression that aware
of possible stressful situation that used to trigger their aspect of depression. Therefore, Gestalt
therapy which can show the couple of recognition which help to underlying the destructive
behaviour which may show the impact which is negative for the relationship. It is also providing
2

an essential help that work towards the making the positive change in their aspect of relationship
and the individual lifestyle. Therefore, it is also show the approach which is helpful to solve the
issue of self-esteem issue as per the use of Gestalt therapy help to provide the low self-esteem
determination and overcome underlying the factor that used to contribute to their low self-esteem
(Lins, and Alvim, 2020).
The reason behind the choosing of Gestalt is defined as the comprehensive therapeutic
method that help to provide the long lasting benefits to an individual mind, emotions, body and
spirit. The common benefits of the Gestalt therapy which is usually include that is not limited. It
shows the reason which is based on the chosen method as therapy because it helps to develop
self-awareness, they focus on the improvement of self-confidence and provide the ability in order
to make the peace and comfort with the past and improved sense of acceptance. In addition,
increased the ability which is helpful in order to deal with the cope with the stressful situation.
With the overall analysis, there is only one limitation which may be associated with the Gestalt
therapy which may not be help with the psychological effect of the hereditary behaviour. In
addition, they focus on the psychological factor that may influenced by an individual thought. In
addition, it is also defined as the effective therapeutic treatment option that is associated for the
addiction problem and mental health situation and condition (Naeem, Irfan, and Javed, 2020).
With this all, the Cognitive Behavioural therapy is defined as the type of psychotherapeutic
treatment which help to people learn how to determine the change which is destructive or show
the aspect which is disturbing thought pattern which help provide the negative influence on
behaviour and emotion. Therefore, cognitive behavioural therapy usually provides the aspect
which is chosen in order to provide the automatic negative thought which can contribute towards
the worsen challenges which is cause the issue of depression and anxiety. These are usually show
the aspect which is based on the negative thoughts that help to provide the detrimental influence
which is based on moods. Through the help of CBT, these thought are usually well identified,
show the aspect of challenges and replace with the fraction of objective that is associated with
the realistic feeling and thoughts (Oliveira, and Grubits, 2019). The main reason which is show
their aspect for the choosing of Cognitive behavioural therapy is that they focus on the
determination of thought and pattern that focused on the using of wide range strategies that help
to show the aspect which overcome these thought in the wider ways. Technique that may include
the journaling, role playing, relaxation technique and mental distraction which may related with
3

the approach which is focus on the different context. In addition, the cognitive behavioural
therapy follows the technique in order to analyse the negative thought that is important in order
to how thought, feeling and situation can have used to contribute the maladaptive behaviour. In
addition, the process which can show the aspect of difficulties especially for the people who used
to provide the struggle with the introspection that may be show the aspect which is ultimately
focus on the lead to self-discovery and insight that are essential part of the treatment process
which may configure with cognitive behavioural therapy. Therefore, the other factor which may
take into the analysis is that they help to provide the start with the context to practicing skill that
can put in to the use of real world issue or situation. For example, the person which is based on
the substance that may use to disorder that might start practicing new coping skills and
rehearsing ways to avoid or make the proper deal with social situation that show the potential in
order to trigger the relapse. It also focusses on the aspect which is related with the setting of goal
that is important and also a reason which is helpful for the recovery of mental illness and helping
to make change in order to improve the health and life. During the cognitive behavioural therapy,
the therapist which can help with setting of goals by knowing and teaching the determination
which is based on long term and short term that is related with the SMART which is specific,
measurable, attainable, relevant and time based, they usually focus on the goal and process which
may provide the proper end outcome. In addition, these all are factor which may provide the
reason to choose the cognitive behavioural therapy that is supportive in order to provide the
productivity. In addition, the importance of the learning problem solving skills which determined
and solve the issue which may show the arise from the stressor of life. The big and small that
provide the aspect which reduce the negative effect of the physical illness of the individual. They
usually focus in the step which may be helpful for the determine the problem solving with
Cognitive behavioural therapy. it includes, idenitifcation of problem, generating the list of
possible solution, evaluation the strength and weakness for the each of possible solution,
choosing the solution to implements and implementing the course of solutions (Rathod, Phiri,
and Naeem, 2019).
Overall, the strength of the Gestalt and cognitive behavioural therapy is usually focus on the
people health with the mental issue. In addition, they used to provide the strength which is
provide the comfort from the stress, provide proper mental health and reduce the day to day
frustration and many more. These is usually applicable in the Gestalt and Cognitive Behavioural
4

therapy. the major weakness which is analysed within the Gestalt and Cognitive therapy are the
therapist commit to process in order to get the most from it. It is difficult when the cooperation is
requiring where it is only proper the health advice (Rathod, Phiri, and Naeem, 2019).
CONCLUSION
As per the above discussion, it is well analysed that the Gestalt and Cognitive behavioural
therapy is usually focus on the people mental health where people is used to get talking therapies
with the Gestalt and Cognitive behavioural therapy. It is helpful in order to reduce the rising
issue of health and provide appropriate health benefit with the aspect of counselling that is
suggested health advice to minimise the issue.
5

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Barrett and et. al., 2018. Integrated motivational interviewing and cognitive behaviour therapy
for lifestyle mediators of overweight and obesity in community-dwelling adults: a
systematic review and meta-analyses. BMC Public Health, 18(1), pp.1-10.
Brownell and et. al., 2019. Handbook for theory, research, and practice in Gestalt therapy.
Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Francesetti, G. and Roubal, J., 2020. Field theory in contemporary gestalt therapy, part 1:
modulating the therapist's presence in clinical practice. Gestalt Review, 24(2), pp.113-
136.
Francesetti, G. and Roubal, J., 2020. Gestalt therapy approach to depressive
experiences. Psychotherapie-Wissenschaft, (2), pp.39-45.
Horwood and et. al., 2021. The experience of autistic adults accessing adapted cognitive
behaviour therapy: ADEPT (Autism Depression Trial) qualitative evaluation. Research in
Autism Spectrum Disorders, 86, p.101802.
Leeuwerik and et. al., 2020. Participant perspectives on the acceptability and effectiveness of
mindfulness-based cognitive behaviour therapy approaches for obsessive compulsive
disorder. Plos one, 15(10), p.e0238845.
Lins, R.D.O. and Alvim, M.B., 2020. The mundaneity of the body:(re) thinking the
individualistic culture and its implications for gestalt-therapy. Revista da Abordagem
Gestáltica, 26(3), pp.305-316.
Naeem, F., Irfan, M. and Javed, A., 2020. Coping with COVID-19: Urgent need for building
resilience through cognitive behaviour therapy. Khyber Medical University
Journal, 12(1), pp.1-3.
Oliveira, E.D.F.D. and Grubits, S., 2019. The Drawing in Gestalt-Therapy: The Versatility of the
Lines Interfacing the Clinical Practice. Estudos e Pesquisas em Psicologia, 19(spe),
pp.1036-1050.
Rathod, S., Phiri, P. and Naeem, F., 2019. An evidence-based framework to culturally adapt
cognitive behaviour therapy. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12.
6