Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Models: Blending Gestalt and Family Therapies

Integration of family & Gestalt therapies provides a significant, new dimension in the development of family therapy. Both share a theoretical & practical focus on ways of processing experience & information, but while family therapy has special strength in interpersonal processing, Gestalt's strength is in intrapersonal processing, & is particularly well suited for short-term work on intrapersonal & boundary issues. The selective use of the minicontracting technique provides a way to bring the two therapies together, significantly enhancing the power of work directed toward boundary setting & personal responsibility. The effectiveness, however, of such a blending process requires that the therapist be grounded in both approaches.