An Introduction to Gestalt

This thoroughly revised edition of Gestalt Counselling introduces the fundamental concepts of Gestalt and systematically demonstrates how to apply and use these in practice. Taking a relational perspective, the expert authors explore how Gestalt can be used in a wide variety of ′helping conversations′ from counselling, psychotherapy and coaching to mentoring, managing, consulting and guiding. A Each chapter contains case examples from the therapeutic world and a ′running case study′ featuring ongoing coaching work moves throughout the book, with diagrams and lists for further reading making this the ideal text for use in training. The accessible, engaging writing style will appeal to undergraduates and postgraduates alike. Charlotte Sills is a practitioner and supervisor in private practice, a tutor at Metanoia Institute and a tutor and supervisor of coaching at Ashridge CollegeBusiness School. She is the author or co-author of many books and articles on therapeutic work. Phil Lapworth is a counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice near Bath and has written extensively in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. Billy Desmond is a Gestalt psychotherapist, executive coach and organisational development consultant. He is a member of Ashridge College and a Programme Director of Partnering and Consulting in ChangeHead of the Gestalt Department at Metanoia Insititute, and tutor and consultant at Ashridge Business School.

Table of Contents:
PART ONE: BACKGROUND A Brief History of Gestalt An Overview of Gestalt Principles and Recent Developments PART TWO: GESTALT THEORY The Relationship in Gestalt Practice Awareness Embodiment Wholeness The InterConnectedness and the Field PART THREE: GESTALT PRACTICE Assessment and the Process of Change Phenomenology and Awareness Working in the Dialogic Relationship Promoting Healthy Process Experiments With the Gestalt Counsellor: A Case Example - Janice Scott Gestalt in Organizations: The Gestaltist as Coach or Consultant

About the Author :
Charlotte Sills is a UKCP registered psychotherapist in private practice and a coach, supervisor, trainer and consultant in a variety of settings. She is a BACP senior accredited supervisor, a Teaching and Supervising Transactional Analyst and member of faculty on the MSc in Executive Coaching and PG Dip in Organisational Supervision at Ashridge Hult Business School where she is Professor of Coaching. Until 2007 she was part of the Leadership Team at Metanoia Institute, London where she was the Head of the Transactional Analysis Department, offering an MSc Programme in TA Psychotherapy and BSc in Counselling.  She remains an occasional member of the faculty in the TA, Gestalt and Integrative Departments. Charlotte believes that all human systems – from friendships to organizations – are about people in relationship. She has published widely in the field of relational therapy and coaching, including, with Helena Hargaden, Transactional Analysis - A Relational Perspective (Karnac 2002) and Coaching Relationships (edited with Erik de Haan, Libri Press, 2012). Phil Lapworth is a counsellor, psychotherapist and supervisor in private practice near Bath and has written extensively in the field of counselling and psychotherapy.

Review :
′This is an extremely clear and accessible introduction for students of counselling, as well as an increasing number of coaches and organisation consultants. The authors have succeeded not only in setting out the core principles of a Gestalt orientation, but bring these to life with case examples of Gestalt ′in use′ - Simon Cavicchia is an APECS Accredited Executive Coach, UK registered Gestalt Psychotherapist and Joint Programme Leader MSc in Coaching Psychology ′As the authors mentioned, Gestalt is nowadays - and in fact, has always been - a vibrating mix of practical ideas, psychological concepts and philosophical movements - ranging from theory of perception, through phenomenology and existentialism to Zen Buddhism. Authors kept very well with this tradition. [...] At the very end of the book you can find practical templates for working with clients - ready to use! Also additional readings after almost every chapter provide useful resource for further exploration of the key Gestalt themes. I highly recommend An Introduction to Gestalt as useful and inspirational toolbox for both coaches and therapists′