Case Formulation in Gestalt Therapy

Abstract

Case formulation is a frequently used therapeutic tool that helps the therapist develop a better understanding of the client’s situation. Core concepts are strategies applied when sorting information about a client, assessing the importance of specific areas and taking appropriate actions in the therapeutic process. Although the area of case formulation has been explored in many other therapeutic approaches, there is a lack of deeper evidence on its use in the Gestalt approach. This article presents a qualitative research study that uses grounded theory for analyzing interviews with eleven Gestalt therapists. The resulting process model represents a theoretical conclusion about Gestalt therapists’ procedures in formulating clients’ cases. The research findings are discussed with the existing findings about the process of case formulation within Gestalt therapy and other therapeutic approaches. The outcome case formulation model can be helpful for practice, training, and supervision.