In this episode I introduce an important concept of Gestalt therapy, the awareness & contact cycle. This is essentially a roadmap for healthy functioning. I will take you on a tour of this map including why it is important.

Gestalt therapy stands out for its emphasis on fostering awareness and cultivating healthy connections with ourselves, others, and the world around us – encompassing physical, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual dimensions. At its core, the awareness and contact cycle serves as a guiding framework for optimal functioning, representing how we regulate ourselves. The quality of our interactions with ourselves, others, and our environment serves as a litmus test for our overall health and well-being. When we are oblivious to our needs or struggle to fulfill them effectively, it often results in a buildup of unmet needs, leading to feelings of stagnation, dissatisfaction, and even depression. However, by actively engaging in this process and nurturing a supportive relationship with ourselves, we unlock the potential to thrive.

Figure: This initial phase marks the inception of awareness. It encompasses what captures our attention in a given moment. It occurs in the body, in the breath, in our senses. It happens in a micro-moment before our thoughts intervene to assign meaning.

Energetic Formation: Our minds swiftly interpret the sensations and emotions experienced during the figure phase, constructing narratives based on our past experiences. These narratives can either empower us or constrain us, shaping our perceptions and responses.

Wants & Needs: Achieving self-awareness enables us to identify our wants and needs, a task often hindered by learned beliefs that undermine our worthiness or perpetuate misconceptions about neediness. It’s crucial to recognize that our needs are good and right and essential for fostering balance and well-being. Learning to acknowledge, respect, and take responsibility for our needs is an act of self care that enhances our relationships.

Move & Express to Completion: Mere awareness is insufficient; action is required to fulfill our needs. Herein lies the significance of nurturing a compassionate relationship with ourselves. Fear of external judgment can hinder our ability to take action to meet our needs authentically. However, when we provide ourselves with encouragement, when we know that we have our own back, we can take one step after the other, knowing that we will provide ourselves with grace, compassion, and acceptance if things don’t work out as hoped.

Receiving & Reflection: The old adage, ‘take the best and leave the rest’, comes to mind here. Adopting a discerning approach to what we consume – be it information, experiences, or relationships – is vital. Embracing what nourishes us while relinquishing what hinders our growth forms an integral part of the cycle. Allowing time for integration before moving forward fosters a deeper understanding of ourselves and our needs.

Closure: Recognizing when our needs have been met brings a sense of fulfillment and closure, akin to the period at the end of a sentence.

Openness: With our needs addressed, we become receptive to new possibilities and experiences, poised for what lies ahead.

As the cycle of organismic self-regulation unfolds, we instinctively seek solutions to meet our needs. We naturally generate options to improve our circumstances or address our needs, even when those options may fall short. In Gestalt psychology, this process is known as creative adaptation. Essentially, we creatively adapt to our environment and circumstances to survive and thrive as best we can. Although our past experiences heavily influence our present reality, confronting and resolving unresolved issues from the past empowers us to shape a more enriching present. By bringing our awareness and intention to this process, we can illuminate areas in need of healing, reducing the lingering impact of past events on our present actions. We can discern patterns and disruptions that hinder our progress or keep us stuck, fostering a new understanding of ourselves and the world. This understanding empowers us to express ourselves fully and create an environment conducive to our growth and well-being. Tune in now to explore potential roadblocks and discover this week’s teachable takeaways.