Buddhist Psychology and Contemporary Gestalt Therapy:
Bringing Mindfulness to Psychotherapy Practice

While in recent years a number of new therapy approaches incorporating Buddhist psychology concepts and mindfulness methods have been developed, Gestalt therapy, since its inception in the early 1950s, has had a focus on phenomenology, an understanding of the importance of awareness, a theoretical model that describes how change follows acceptance, and a dialogic and relational perspective that encourages therapist and patient to be present with ‘what is’ in the moment. These have always been cornerstones of the Gestalt therapy approach, making Gestalt therapy uniquely compatible with Buddhist psychology concepts and mindfulness methods. Importantly, Gestalt therapy offers the psychotherapist who is interested in incorporating Buddhist psychology and mindfulness methods direction for their clinical application within an experiential, experimental, therapeutic model that is finely attuned to moment-to-moment process. Buddhist psychology and meditation practice also offer the Gestalt therapist ways of increasing the capacity for staying with ‘what is’, developing more trust in the present moment, and more wisdom and compassion—therapist qualities associated with positive treatment outcomes. This vast resource is only beginning to be tapped for what it may contribute to the enhancement of lives by increasing the ability to cultivate compassion, wisdom, joy, and skillful ways of relating to others and to ones own experience.

GESTALT THERAPY TRAINING CENTER—NORTHWEST’S new training program Buddhist Psychology and Contemporary Gestalt Therapy:  Bringing Mindfulness to Psychotherapy Practice beginning fall, 2009 incorporates Buddhist psychology concepts and mindfulness meditation methods, into a comprehensive Gestalt therapy training program, providing clinicians with support to develop or enhance their own meditation practice within a community of practitioners, as well as teaching a psychotherapy system innately compatible with these methods. Click on the ‘Application’ or ‘Training Programs’ links for more program details.