What are the similarities and differences between person centred counseling and the gestalt theory of counseling?

Answer 1

To my knowledge, the main similarity between person centered and gestalt therapy are that both are "experiential" approaches to counseling, meaning that the counseling process goals are rooted in the experience of the client and the therapist learning. Also both are focused on the "here and now" or present problems/issues, as opposed to something like psychodynamic/psychoanalytic therapy which tends to focus on past problems or events.

In that same vein, this similarity yields differences from the start: In person centered therapy, the person is the focal point of the sessions, with the therapist taking a "back seat" to learn about the person, and watch as the person moves toward self-actualization. The person in therapy will be provided with a very supportive environment from the therapist, whose job it is to provide unconditional positive regard, as well as a non-judgmental feedback. The therapist does not make suggestions for the person, the person decides what goal(s) they would like to work on, while the therapist provides support and understanding (it has a "hands off" approach).

Gestalt therapy differs in that, the therapist takes a much more active role. In this mode of therapy, the client and the therapist work together as a team to learn about the client. The approach is based on the assumption that a person must assume responsibility for their behavior/actions. The therapist here may utilize various techniques to aid the client in realizing how their actions or behaviors have impacted any problems that they have. This is more of a confrontational approach, but therapists of this mode must take care not to do more harm than good in their "confrontations" with their clients, or risk losing their client at a minimum.

Hope this helps!

Psysoc grad.