Gestalt Psychology

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arousal and distress). The last two criteria deal with the intensity of the impact (e.g., impairment in normal social and occupational functioning), on a temporal dimension (e.g., for more than a month).

These criteria or symptoms may be viewed as two dimensional polarities. One dimension is arousal, which may be seen as a continuum from extreme arousal and agitation to low arousal and numbness. The other dimension is approach-avoidance, which may be seen as a continuum from over involvement (with accompanying flashes of image, memories, and rumination)to total avoidance or fear of any stimuli that may relate to the experience.

From a Gestalt therapy perspective, these PTSD characteristics may be viewed as indications of "unfinished business." Specifically, the indicated symptoms of the trauma seem to demonstrate:

1. an attempt to assimilate an experience that is not assimilable
2. repeated unsuccessful attempts at completion of the cycle of experience
3. ...

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of something new about the self. Thus, according to Melnick and Nevis, after successful therapy, the client will not only be symptom free, but will also acknowledge a gain from the traumatic experience.

In addition, Gestalt therapy has many other characteristics that are beneficial for the treatment of PTSD. These characteristics include an I-Thou dialogue, a phenomenological approach, and focus on the here and now.

One of the unique contributions of Perls (Perls, Hefferline & Goodman, 1973) to psychotherapy is the invention of therapeutic techniques which help the individual to surface unfinished situations, traumas and trauma-related conflicts (Clarkson & Mackewn, 1993) ...

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