A Gestalt Approach to Couples Therapy

This book offers a framework for understanding and improving relationships through the lens of Gestalt therapy. It examines the paradox of intimacy-how genuine connection emerges from embracing individuality in a relationship-and how to navigate the dynamic tension between autonomy and togetherness. Readers will benefit from practical tools, theoretical insights, and engaging case examples designed to deepen their understanding of relationship dynamics. Therapists will find innovative strategies to foster presence, differentiation, and creative transformation in their clients. Couples can uncover ways to turn conflict into connection, discovering how their differences can energize and strengthen their relationships. The book's unique integration of Gestalt therapy principles with cross-cultural perspectives makes it particularly relevant for navigating the complexities of modern relationships. With its theoretical rigor and practical applications, the book bridges the gap between research and clinical practice, offering fresh insights into the evolving field of couples therapy. By addressing pressing post-pandemic relational challenges and integrating diverse cultural perspectives, it provides a transformative guide for those engaged in understanding and fostering human connection. This approach enables readers to be able to reframe differences as opportunities for growth rather than sources of conflict. This text is an essential resource for academics, researchers, and students interested in relationship science and therapeutic approaches. It is especially relevant for mental health professionals, including practicing therapists, counsellors, and social workers, as well as those in training programs.

Nicole Chew-Helbig PhD is a certified Integrative Gestalt psychotherapist and counsellor based in Singapore. She holds a doctorate in Psychotherapy Science from Sigmund Freud University, Vienna. She is a member of the Singapore Association of Counselling, and the Singapore Psychological Society.

Part I: Foundations of Presence Chapter 1: First Contact - The Phenomenological Encounter Chapter 2: Trauma in the Relational Field Part II: The Paradox of Change Chapter 3: The Paradoxical Theory of Change in Couples Work Chapter 4: The Transformative Role of Experiments in Gestalt Couples Therapy Part III: The Field and Connection Chapter 5: Field Theory in Couples Therapy Chapter 6: Shame, the Pathos of the Field Chapter 7: The Cycle of Connection - Movement Between Contact and Withdrawal Part IV: Integration and Practice Chapter 8: Creative Indifference: Conflict and the Therapist's Centred Presence Chapter 9: Integration with Other Modalities Conclusion: Beyond the Therapy Room