Originally Posted by Brendan Toohey

I had initially attempted to get information on Depression the cheats way maybe, and thought I might get a better return if I put some thoughts out to be commented on by the various Gestalt people that frequent this page.

In writting an essay on what Gestalt has to offer in working with individuals with Depression I have quickly recognised that Gestalt therapy has many developed theories and principles that places this approach in very good stead for working with the key themes that are identified in the area of Depression.

I have in particular identified figure/ground formation becoming potentially fixed and the individual being unable to discriminate between a fantasised perception of self and phenomena in the present that differs from the fixed figure ie "I am hopeless at everthing". This seems to then lead to boundary disturbances such as sensory numbing and a introjected sence of being inherently flawed.
Also being able to work with a fixed label it's self (Depression) and work phenoneologically with each individuals unique experience to emphasis the persons ownership or choice with the illness rather than Depression being a fixed way of being that is un-changeable.

I could say more but thought I would put out some of my peceptions to stimulate others to offer their perspective on where Gestalt seems to merge with the themes within Depression, or for that matter does not!

Brendan Toohey