Being a Gestalt Psychotherapist During the Global Pandemic: Some Thoughts

Abstract

The Global Pandemic has brought with it a shift in our normality. As Gestalt therapists, we had to change our way of being, our way of working, and move to online therapy. This reflective article explores the aspects and relevance of Gestalt therapy during the pandemic. The personal and the professional being of the Gestalt therapist during this chaotic and uncertain time is discussed. The aesthetic dimension of the therapeutic encounter is explored, however briefly, through the framework of theories of embodied simulation and embodied metaphors. This special focus on embodiment is then taken as meaning-making through the use of poetry as metaphor. Finally, the therapeutic value of poetry is discussed, along with its application during Gestalt group training.