This is the Inaugural Issue of Gestalt!

As the Official Journal of the

Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (AAGT)

An International Community

Gestalt!
Volume 11; Number 1
Winter, 2011
Published by
The Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy

Edited by

Charles Bowman, MS
(charlie@g-gej.org)

Dan Bloom, J.D.; LCSW
(dan@g-gej.org)

Philip Brownell, M.Div.; Psy.D.
(phil@g-gej.org)

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Index to Volume 11; Number 1

Editorial: Welcome to the New Gestalt!

Dan Bloom, Charie Bowman, and Philip Brownell

In Transition: Gestalting Theory from Practice, Practice from Theory

Seán Gaffney, Brian Mistler, Sue Congram, Philip Brownell

ABSTRACT

This article charts my journey from being a dedicated Gestalt practitioner to becoming, first, a practitioner-author, then a practitioner-researcher, then a practitioner-theorizer and then – in brief though illuminating flashes – a theorizer.

Brian Mistler: Would you be willing to say “theorizer-practitioner” here at the end… or something like “practitioner-theorizer-practitioner?” In most domains, and Gestalt especially (which I believe aims to transcend the therapist-client context), I am doubtful that anyone can really give up the practitioner piece, or what it would mean if they did. I know this is deeply related to the whole of this piece, so I am imagining you have given thought to this and, to end, on have chosen “theorizer” out of the field for a reason. I’m only a sentence in, and I’m having a reaction – I want to know more about your choice in this opening line.

Practical and theoretical exemplifications of my journey are included. My hope is that this is a journey more of my Gestalt colleagues could consider making, not only for their own personal and professional development, but also in support of our chosen modality and its respectful acceptance and further validation.

Restructuring Background by Letting Go of Clinging and Avoidance

Jungkyu Kim

ABSTRACT

I always have been much interested to know how it works to translate an idea, a concept, or an experience into another language. What if people speaking the other language don't have the same thought, experience or background? Are we destined to be confined within the prisons of our own experiences and languages? The problem exists not only between people using different languages, but also among the people who speak the same language, because even siblings within a family cannot always have the same experiences as background.

A Background to "The Field."

Jean-Marie Robine, translated by Karen Vincent-Jones

ABSTRACT

When Perls and Goodman refer to "the field" they make it clear that they are referring to the organism/environment field. In doing so, they take for granted what is implied but not adequately spelled out in this expression. What I intend to do here is to unpack it, without attempting to elaborate it or develop it in new directions.

Every field is the “field of...” Here, of a given organism and its environment. “THE field,” as such, is merely an operational concept because the field has to be defined in relation to somebody or something. The field always has an organising principle: the visual field of the eye, the field of consciousness of a mind, the psychological field, a domain organised by the discipline of psychology, the battlefield of a particular war, and so on.

A Review of The Emergent Self: An Existential-Gestalt Approach, by Peter Philippson

Leslie Greenberg

ABSTRACT

Philippson, in this highly theoretical book, tackles the ontological questions of “Who are you?” and “Who am I with you?”, which will be of greater interest to those more theoretically inclined. He also offers sections on the clinical applications of his theorizing. His fundamental proposition is that there is a dialectic between human beings as part of a wider field and human beings as choosing individuals ... This book is a serious effort to develop an integrative view that balances the dialectic between individuality and intersubjective sharing. He sees self and other, and connecting and separating, not as preceding the field, and not as preexisting entities or functions, but rather as emerging out of the field. The field is the primary datum of existence that he sees as penetrating every action.

Response to the Review of Emergent Self

Peter Philppson

ABSTRACT

Peter Philippson responds to the review of his book by Leslie Greenberg and clarifies his position on a number of points. He identifies himself as an "emergent materialist" and calls for respect for such a position. He challenges the "shame" of being identified with Fritz Perls, and challenges empathy if it is conceived of as belonging to a one-person psychology.

Relevant Articles of Interest

Each issue we will bring you a summary description of one or more articles from the research databases or general domain that pertain to gestalt therapy. These may reflect thinking within the gestalt community or that from outside its borders, but relative to gestalt theory, practice, and/or the establishment of our research support base.