I enjoy reading this book, written “ad verbatim”, as the title describes. The presentation style gives us an implicit sense of who Perls is and his first-person perspectives as a therapist.
Gestalt Therapy Verbatim is a unique book that gives readers a firsthand look at the ideas and techniques of Gestalt therapy through the words of its founder, Fritz Perls. The verbatim format, in which Perls’ words are recorded exactly as he spoke them during therapy sessions, lectures, and workshops, provides an authentic and engaging look at the development and practice of Gestalt therapy.
The book is segmented into two parts — first, an introductory section that describes Gestalt therapy and provides brief background information; and second, three case histories that show how Perls applied his approach during his encounter with clients.
Perls on Techniques
Perls adds that Gestalt therapy is not about providing instant cure, instant joy, instant gratification. Gestalt therapy offers all the opportunity for growth, and growth is an organic process. The client has to invest in themselves and grow.
Perls on Anxiety
Anxiety is the gap between the now and the then. If you are in the now, you can’t be anxious, because the excitement flows immediately into ongoing spontaneous activity. (p. 23).
He differentiates this from hedonism, where one seeks pseudo sensory stimulation.
Perls on the Splitting of the Self and Pathology
If some of our thoughts, feelings, are unacceptable to us, we want to disown them. So we disown the killing thought and say, “That’s not me — that’s a compulsion.” There are many of these kinds of ways to remain intact, but always only at the cost of disowning many valuable parts of ourselves. Your ego boundary shrinks more and more. Your power, your energy, becomes smaller and smaller.
Perls on Trying to Change Oneself and Others
Many people dedicate their lives to actualise a concept of what they should be like, rather than to actualise themselves. This difference between self-actualising and self-image actualising is very important. Most people only live for their image. Where some people have a self, most people have a void, because they are so busy projecting themselves as this or that.
Perls on Growth, the Impasse, and the Aim of Therapy
The aim of therapy is to help the patient overcome the impasse — the stuck point where the patient cannot move forward. Growth happens when the patient can stand on their own feet, when they can be self-supporting rather than dependent on environmental support.
Book Reference
Perls, F. (1969). Gestalt Therapy Verbatim. Real People Press.