Authentic dialogue in psychotherapy: a Gestalt approach.
Martin Buber’s I-Thou offers a profound reference point for the therapeutic relationship. This seminar develops the framing theory and practical principles by which dialogue — rather than technique — becomes the centre of the work, and the therapist’s use of self the ground on which contact unfolds.
It is well established that the therapeutic relationship is the single most important factor in therapeutic success, across all modalities. Yet detailed knowledge and skill in achieving a highly productive relationship are not always cultivated in the field.
The Gestalt approach offers a specific orientation. It does not rely on particular techniques. Interventions begin with the therapist’s knowledge of self, and the willingness to bring that into the dialogue. The spotlight of awareness turns back on the therapist, and statements come to be used more than the standard questions-based approach.
The relationship is seen as something substantive — a real-life laboratory for experience rather than ‘just’ a preparation for the outside world. To quote Buber, all living is meeting. Gestalt explores the nature of that meeting, described as contact.
“What is of interest is the capacity to see the other as an end in themselves rather than a means to an end. This is the core of the I-Thou encounter — a horizontal meeting between two human beings, learning together.”
What the dialogical stance asks of us.
- 01
Beyond expert and layperson
The dialogical attitude moves us out of fixed roles. A horizontal meeting becomes possible — hard to teach, hard to prescribe, more the nature of a genuine gift in the moment, and the ground of real intimacy.
- 02
Not at-a-distance
This is a contrast with an instrumental orientation that frames therapy in purely professional terms. Rapport is not a ‘skill’ to be deployed; it is what emerges from the ground of relationship.
- 03
Distinct from unconditional positive regard
Unlike the Rogerian stance, the dialogical approach takes whatever is happening in the relationship and finds a way to explore the nature of the contact — grist for the therapeutic mill.
- 04
Togetherness and separateness
In sameness and symbiosis lies a sense of safety. But relationship is rarely like that for long. Working with difference, threatening as it can be, provides a clear edge to the contact boundary and supports definition of self — something many clients lack.
- 05
Shared risk of self-revelation
The approach asks for a renewed willingness on the part of the therapist to share the risk of self-revelation. This builds a quality of ground which greatly enhances any intervention — and reduces the emphasis on intervention itself.
By the close of the seminar.
- Understand contact in terms of similarity and difference, and practise working therapeutically with difference.
- Grasp the basics of the I-Thou approach to the therapeutic relationship.
- Recognise the phenomena that occur at the contact boundary and disrupt the quality of relationship.
- Use of self as a central part of the therapeutic encounter.
- Distinguish presence and inclusion as modes of relational therapeutic dialogue.
- Conduct a therapeutic process without recourse to questions.
The shape of the days.
- 01Introductions in the group
- 02Presentation of the framework of dialogue
- 03Demonstration of working with dialogue in the therapeutic process
- 04Deconstruction and discussion
- 05Dialogue exercise
- 06Demonstration of the difference between inclusion and presence
- 07Deconstruction; issues arising; discussion
- 08Presence exercise and discussion
- 09Demonstration of the I-Thou
- 10Deconstruction; issues arising; discussion
- 11I-Thou practice and discussion
- 12Application of the dialogical orientation; discussion
- 13Wrap up and checkout
A contemporary approach to bringing authenticity into the therapeutic relationship — learning the application of an I-Thou orientation, and the practice of including self as part of every therapeutic encounter.
It is through profound contact with another person that we can more fully know ourselves. The dialogical orientation cultivates that quality of contact, finding the growing edge of discovery between togetherness and separateness.