I am free. In the landscape of therapeutic concepts, few ideas hold as much transformative potential as the simple yet profound declaration: “I am free.” This statement, when deeply internalized, represents far more than a philosophical abstraction or positive affirmation. From Gestalt and Somatic Experiencing perspectives, the embodied understanding of personal freedom constitutes a cornerstone…
Family Constellations, developed by German psychotherapist Bert Hellinger, is often associated with group workshops where participants physically represent elements of a client’s family system. However, this powerful methodology can be effectively adapted for one-to-one therapeutic settings, integrating seamlessly with both Gestalt therapy and Somatic Experiencing approaches. This article explores how constellation principles can be applied…
Fear of Your Own Anger. Few emotions generate as much internal conflict as anger. While some struggle to contain angry outbursts, many others experience profound fear of their own anger—avoiding it, suppressing it, or becoming anxious when they feel its stirrings. From a Gestalt therapy and Somatic Experiencing perspective, this fear of anger often indicates…
Guilt and How to Process It Guilt – That uncomfortable sensation of having done something wrong or failed to do something right— ranks among our most complex and challenging emotional experiences. As a Gestalt therapist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I’ve observed how this powerfully shapes behavior, relationships, and self-perception, sometimes productively guiding moral action…
Shame. Few emotional experiences prove as devastating or difficult to transform as shame. Unlike guilt, which focuses on specific behaviors (“I did something bad”), shame indicts the core self (“I am bad”). This profound emotional state shapes identity, relationships, and behavior in powerful ways, often operating outside conscious awareness while limiting authentic expression and connection.…
Loneliness ranks among the most painful human experiences, yet it often persists despite apparent social connection or even within the context of relationships. As both a Gestalt therapist and Somatic Experiencing practitioner, I’ve observed how a particular form of loneliness emerges not from physical isolation but from the inability to be authentically known and accepted…
Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects millions of people worldwide, creating significant challenges with attention regulation, executive functioning, emotional regulation, and impulse control. While conventional treatments like stimulant medications and behavioral interventions remain first-line approaches, growing research suggests that certain mushrooms—both psychedelic and non-psychedelic varieties—may offer promising complementary approaches for addressing ADHD symptoms. This article explores the…
The Two-Chair Technique, a cornerstone method in Gestalt therapy, offers a powerful approach for resolving internal conflicts, working through ambivalence, and integrating polarized aspects of self- experience. As a Gestalt therapist who regularly employs this method, I’ve witnessed its remarkable effectiveness for issues ranging from decision-making dilemmas to inner critic dynamics to unfinished emotional business…
Hug a Pillow. Something as simple as hugging a pillow might seem childish or trivial at first glance. Yet from a therapeutic perspective, particularly through Gestalt and Somatic Experiencing lenses, this practice offers profound physiological and psychological benefits that extend far beyond mere comfort. This seemingly modest action activates multiple neurobiological systems that support emotional…
Family Constellation work, developed by Bert Hellinger, traditionally takes place in group settings where participants physically represent elements of a person’s family system. However, this powerful approach to systemic healing and insight can be adapted for personal use. As a practitioner trained in both Gestalt therapy and Somatic Experiencing who regularly incorporates constellation principles in…