In this video I’ll explain what is the Gestalt cycle of experience, how an interruption in the cycle can lead to common mental health problems and how to conceptualise a problem using this model.

🔵 CHAPTERS

0:00 What is the Gestalt cycle of experience?
1:40 How to use the cycle to conceptualise a problem

🔵 WHAT IS THE GESTALT CYCLE OF EXPERIENCE?

The cycle of experience is basically a map for how you become aware of a need, meet that need, and achieve satisfaction. Most people are stuck within a cycle and this can cause all sort of problems from depression, anxiety, eating disorders, addictions and so forth. Each full cycle has eight stages: sensation, recognition, mobilisation, action, contact, satisfaction, withdrawal and the fertile void.

Let’s look at how the cycle of experience can be used with a counselling psychology client. Margaret is a high achiever, she has completed a phd in economics and has a very well paid job. She successfully completes many difficult tasks but she is unable to gain a sense of satisfaction. She never feels good enough and she is constantly critiquing her performance. Margaret has an interruption in her cycle of experience between contact and satisfaction. She experiences an internal pressure to rush a task and move on to the next task. She never achieves the satisfaction and withdrawal phases and never leaves a space for the void. This leaves Margaret feeling very anxious, she has difficulty sleeping and experiences critical self-talk.

Each full cycle is called a ‘gestalt’ and Margaret has many cycles going on at the same time each taking up psychological space. She has several work projects on the go, she is still grieving the death of her mother from two years ago, and often thinks about the bullying she experienced as school. As a therapist it can be very helpful to identify exactly where the cycle is interrupted as this will provide direction to the psychological therapy sessions.

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🔵 ABOUT TERESA LEWIS

Teresa Lewis is the founder and Director of Lewis Psychology and a Senior Accredited psychotherapist with the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (MBACP Snr. Accred). Qualified in 1995, Teresa has been providing counselling and psychotherapy treatment for nearly 30 years. Teresa holds a masters degree in counselling and psychotherapy and is a qualified EMDR Practitioner having completed training accredited with EMDR Europe. Teresa is also a qualified adult educator and an accredited Mindfulness teacher As a recognised expert in her field Teresa is frequently asked to conduct editorial reviews and endorse counselling and psychotherapy books for international publishing houses.

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🔵 GRAPHICS AND THUMBNAIL

Thumbnail and B-Roll graphics designed by Teresa Lewis. B-Roll video is used in strict compliance with the appropriate permissions and licenses required from Pexels.com in accordance with the YouTube Partner Program, Community guidelines and YouTube terms of service.

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