Buddhist Psychology & Gestalt Therapy Integrated: Psychotherapy for the 21st Century - Softcover

Gold PsyD, Eva K.; Zahm PhD, Steve G.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 173249200X ISBN 13: 9781732492004

Publisher: Metta Press, 2018

Synopsis

This groundbreaking book points the way to an expansive and comprehensive psychotherapy approach in its integration of Buddhist psychology and Gestalt therapy. The authors establish the essential convergences of Buddhist psychology and mindfulness with Gestalt therapy theory and method, and creatively explore the clinical implications of these and their relevance in psychotherapeutic work. These convergences, as well as the recognition of the two systems’ differences in focus and ultimate aims, then serve as the foundation for a Buddhist psychology informed Gestalt therapy (BPGT). This innovative integration offers a new perspective while also maintaining the holistic integrity of each system. Here, the book lays out how Buddhist psychology’s universal view and Gestalt therapy’s focus on the individual and relational can work synergistically in addressing the fundamental ground of human suffering. Clinical vignettes throughout the book bring the concepts and methods to life, offering clear examples of how these can be implemented. This book’s heart, wisdom, and deeply relational holistic perspective on the therapeutic endeavor can offer psychotherapists of any stripe an enriched clinical understanding, and the “how to” for putting this understanding into practice.

About this title

Review:

“An invaluable exploration of the essential integration of Gestalt therapy and a Buddhist understanding of human existence as it applies to psychotherapy, an intersection that for too long Gestalt therapy has only mentioned in passing. This work is not only a philosophical proposal but includes how this understanding can be used and how it impacts the therapist, the client, and the therapeutic relationship. Gold and Zahm have done us all a great service in not only giving us the framework for this understanding, but also specific clinical vignettes utilizing it. Namaste.”

–Rich Hycner, PhD.Co-author of The Healing Relationship in Gestalt Therapy: A Dialogic/Self-Psychology Approach.

“Buddhist Psychology and Gestalt Therapy Integrated: Psychotherapy for the 21stCenturyis a beautiful example of deep insight and creative thinking. The authors are clearly steeped in both the Buddhist and Gestalt traditions and bring many years of clinical and personal experience to their writing. Their exploration of the intersecting points between Buddhist psychology and Gestalt therapy offers the reader a fresh and exciting perspective. Clinicians from any school of thought will find much to enrich and expand their work.”

–Daisy Reese, LCSW.Co-director of the Sierra Institute for Contemporary Gestalt Therapy,and co-author of New Directions in Gestalt Group Therapy: Relational Ground, Authentic Self.

“Consilience is synergistic. The amalgamation of these experiential approaches will inform practitioners in all disciplines of psychotherapy. It will also improve your life.”

–Jeffrey K. Zeig, PhD.Director of The Milton H. Erickson Foundation.

From the foreword...

“I highly recommend this book to any clinician interested in an expanded understanding and perspective of what is possible in a humanistic, experiential, and existential psychotherapy, free of limiting notions of what can be included in psychotherapeutic exploration.”

–Erving Polster, PhD.

About this edition

• Publisher: Metta Press
• Publication date: 2018
• ISBN 10: 173249200X
• ISBN 13: 9781732492004
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 348