Embodied Relational Gestalt: Theories and Applications

by Michael Clemmens (Editor)

Overview

An international selection of authors provide a detailed exploration of Gestalt as a somatic and relational practice. Covering many aspects of this relationship, the chapters include discussion of our relationships with nature, the role of Eros, energy in Taoism, affect and methods of practice. Both theoretical and practical application of an embodied relational approach to GT are presented, and many chapters include case studies from the contributors’ own work. The overall view of the book is that our bodies are inextricably embedded and co-creating with the environment, and that we know our body and the world through our embodiment.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780367353469
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	08/15/2019
Pages:	346
Product dimensions:	5.44(w) x 8.50(h) x (d)

About the Author

Michael Clemmens PhD is a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Pittsburgh, PA working with individuals and couples. He is a faculty member at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland and Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California. He travels nationally and internationally teaching and offering experiential learning opportunities. He is the author of “Getting Beyond Sobriety: Clinical Approaches to Long Term Recovery” published by Gestalt Press and the article “Culture and Body: Gestalt Therapy as an Embodied Relational Dialogue.”

Table of Contents

Introduction by Michael Clemmens; Chapter One: Embodied Contexts: The Forms We Create, The Forms That Create us, Michael Craig Clemmens PhD; Chapter Two: Attentional scope and mental illness, Peri Mackintosh; Chapter Three: Nature-Healing-Body-Healing-Nature: Embodied Relational Gestalt Ecopsychology, Will W.Adams, PhD; Chapter Four: Erotic Ground: Always and Already There, Leanne O’Shea; Chapter Five: Signature Movement, Giselle Ruzany MALPC; Chapter Six: Nature Heals, Lucien Demaris and Deborah Ullman; Chapter Seven: Introjects and Introjection as Relational Embodied Phenomena, Renee J. Jennings; Chapter Eight: Engaging Strategic Curiosity: Toward an Embodied Relational Approach to Research in Gestalt Therapy, Rae Johnson; Chapter Nine: Towards Healing and Wholeness. The Menstrual Cycle: Self-Regulation and Self-Support for Women, Kate Merrick; Chapter Ten: Energy: A Taoist Gestalt Approach, Jody Telfair

Editorial Reviews

Considering various forms of the relational field, from which our experiences emerge, Michael Clemmens presents the concept of “forms of embodiment”, a very interesting and useful development of phenomenology of perception and Gestalt therapy. I feel grateful for his work that creates a solid basis for recent studies on therapist/client reciprocity in aesthetic terms, like the “Aesthetic Relational Knowledge” and the “Dance Steps”. This book and the unique perspective expressed by all chapter authors stand as a fresh description of clinical situations which you cannot help but use.” – Margherita Spagnuolo Lobb, Istituto di Gestalt HCC Italy, Siracusa, Palermo, Milano; www.gestaltitaly.com

“Michael Clemmens has done a great service to the advancement of embodied work in Embodied Relational Gestalt: Theory and Applications. This collection offers a wide array of perspectives from a wonderfully international group of Gestalt therapists.Originally a follow up on presentations at the Gestalt & Embodiment Conference at Esalen Institute, this collection has brought us a rich set of perspectives on embodied relational work. Kudos to Michael Clemmens as editor and author and to the authors of these expressive and stimulating chapters for their furthering embodied work in Gestalt therapy.”– James Kepner, PhD, faculty Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, author of Body Process; Healing Tasks

“This wonderful new collection is one of the most long-needed titles in the Gestalt field. All of us who work with clients in any setting and theory model - clinical, organizational, educational, social activist - know we need grounding in skills of using experiential embodiment. We know that in theory; - this book will help you know how.”– Gordon Wheeler, Phd. President, Esalen Institute; author, Gestalt Reconsidered; Gestalt Therapy (with Lena Axelsson, PsyD), APA book series, Major Methods in Psychotherapy

From the Publisher