The Emergent Self: An Existential-Gestalt Approach(The United Kingdom Council for Psychotherapy Series)

This book tracks a particular understanding of self, philosophically, from research evidence and in its implications for psychotherapy. At each step, the author includes first the theory he is working from, then the clinical implications of the theory, followed by some links to the philosophical outlook inherent in the theory, and finally a more extended case example.It takes the view that the continuing self is partly an illusion, partly a construct, and that we in fact have to work to stay the same in the face of all the different possibilities the world offers us. The author believes that we do this for two reasons. First of all, continuity allows deeper contact: friendships, loving relationships with partners and families. Secondly, and balancing this, the predictable is less anxiety-producing, and that we avoid this existential anxiety by acting in a stereotyped way and avoiding some of the depths of contact. He argues that this dual nature of continuing self, in one context deepening contact and in another context avoiding contact, has an important place in the understanding of psychotherapy.

Table of Contents:
A Selection from the ContentsComplexity and EmergenceRelationship and FeedbackChaos, Process and StructureChoice and WillDeath and Endings

About the Author :
Peter Philippson, M.Sc. (Gestalt Psychotherapy) is a UKCP Registered Gestalt psychotherapist and trainer, a Teaching and Supervising Member of the Gestalt Psychotherapy & Training Institute UK, a founder member of Manchester Gestalt Centre, Full Member of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, senior trainer for GITA (Slovenia) and a guest trainer for many training programmes internationally. He is the author of "Self in Relation", co-author of "Contact and Relationship in a Field Perspective", chapter respondent in "Gestalt Therapy: History, Theory and Practice", ed. A. Woldt & S. Toman, editor of "The Nature of Pain" and, (with John Harris), co-author of "Gestalt: Working with Groups", co-editor of "Topics in Gestalt Therapy", and author of many papers on Gestalt therapy in British, French, American, Australian, Canadian and Spanish Gestalt Journals. He is on the Editorial Board of Studies in Gestalt Therapy, an Editorial Advisor of the British Gestalt Journal, and is currently President of the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy. Peter is a teacher and student of Traditional Aikido.

Review :
'As gestalt therapy enters the twenty-first century, it shows its continuing importance by the intelligent work of such people as Peter Philippson. In this book, he brings gestalt therapy face-to-face with contemporary understandings in related fields - such as physics and cognitive neuroscience. Most importantly, he offers a fresh, updated perspective on the metatheory of gestalt therapy. This book is worthy of serious consideration by practitioners and students, whatever their area of study or psychotherapeutic modality.'- Dan Bloom, President, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy, Fellow and Past President of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy'Peter Philippson draws on his extensive knowledge of chaos theory, quantum mechanics, mathematics, Zen Buddhism and Gestalt psychotherapy theory to expertly guide readers towards the notion of the Self as an Emergent Process. This is an exciting read and I found I needed to hold on tightly as Philippon whisked me through new and exotic ways of thinking; a visceral equivalent to riding pillion on a Harley Davidson and going slightly too fast round some of the bends. I recommend it highly: he shows why Gestalt theory has remained at the leading edge of developments in counselling and psychotherapy; possessing a relational, and emergent theory of self that is supported by the latest research in physical and neurosciences.'- Sally Denham-Vaughan, AFBPsS, Chartered Clinical Psychologist, Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor