Psychopathology of the Situation in Gestalt Therapy

"Psychopathology of the Situation in Gestalt Therapy presents a tour de force of innovative thinking in the field of Gestalt therapy. Editor Margherita Spagnuolo Lobb and Pietro Cavaleri have assembled a gifted group of clinicians, theoreticians and researchers who tackle a daunting task: the reimagining of Gestalt therapy from a thoroughly relational and field-oriented perspective, wherein human suffering is treated in its situational, relational context. With intellectual rigor and innovation, deep humanism and clinical relevance this book reflects the many years of international teaching, training, writing and mentorship that Spagnuolo Lobb has given to the Gestalt therapy field. I highly recommend this collection to all who wish to expand their understanding of current thinking and methodology in psychotherapy."

Peter Cole, LCSW, Co-Director, The Sierra Institute for Contemporary Gestalt Therapy

"This excellent book pinpoints the central psychotherapeutic task today. In a demanding world that changes with bewildering force and speed, the meeting of therapist and client becomes a healing microcosm of situational possibility – an energised sanctuary and rehearsal space for relational, embodied, and experimental development. The writers describe their holistic encounters with suffering and confused others, the aesthetic qualities of their "dances" together, and how these can support, en-courage, and re-energise the clients’ life situations. The book is a powerful reminder to continue exploring way beyond the "intra-psychic" realm."

Malcolm Parlett PhD, author of Future Sense: Five explorations of Whole Intelligence for a world that’s waking up.

"As the author/editors of this valuable new collection point out, our Gestalt therapy were visionary in laying out the primacy of field, embodiment, relationship and ground in human nature and process; yet often reverted to reified, dichotomous terms in applying their radical ideas to actual persons in clinical and life situations. This exciting, much-needed new collection, revises that primacy in our post pandemic time, offering us a complex vision based in aesthetics and reciprocity, encompassing self and other, relationship and embodiment, identity and diversity, neuroscience and experience and more. Essential and exciting reading."

Gordon Wheeler, President, Esalen Institute, author of Gestalt Reconsidered, Beyond Individualism, Gestalt Therapy and other titles.

"Psychopathology of the Situationmakes a substantial contribution to the field of therapeutic treatment in the uncertainty of a world in crisis. Drawn from the combined years of these authors' expertise, skillful and practical applications offer indispensable ways for therapists to attend to the suffering of their patients. This book, essential for both therapist and layperson, will help diverse groups of individuals navigate themselves in this fast-changing world."

Ruella Frank, PhD, author of First Year and the Rest of Your Life: Movement, Development and Psychotherapeutic Change, Moving Self: The Bodily Roots of Experience in Psychotherapy

"The world situation for us clinicians and those whom we treat has taken on urgency in the face the global pandemic. This book is a blend of practical wisdom and thoughtful insights as gestalt psychotherapists address this urgency at the psychological, anthropological, sociological, phenomenological, and neurobiological levels -- all within a phenomenological, aesthetic and field perspective, the hallmarks of a contemporary approach."

Dan Bloom, JD, LCSW, Psychotherapist, Fellow, Past-President, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy