Ernst Beyer in Contemporary Psychology:
The author attempts to develop a theoretical foundation for the practice of psychotherapy
based on Gestalt theory. One half of the book is devoted to updating Gestalt theory
and interpreting Gestalt theory as a personality theory that allows for therapeutic
intervention, and the other half to a broad application of the theory to (Gestalt)
psychotherapy as a way of enhancing creativity and freedom. It also includes a discussion
on supervision and training of the therapist in Gestalt theoretical terms. There
are some 300 references including more definite discussion of Piaget, Lewin, Rogers,
and Kelly. The book is broad in approach and thoroughly documented. It makes for
difficult reading, but is most worthwhile reading for the scholar interested in
'Gestalt' applications.
The German Journal of Psychology:
The Gestalt theory of the 'Berliner Schule' (KÖHLER, KOFFKA, WERTHEIMER, LEWIN)
is a theoretical and empirical foundation for the approach to psychotherapy presented
in this book. The author attempts to show that Gestalt theory is an appropriate
framework which integrates the methods and merits of many other psychotherapeutic
schools. Part I describes Gestalt theory, while Part II discusses the nature of
a Gestalt theory of human personality and presents a 3-level- model of personality
in which the middle level is a 'life space' construct which helps to explain how
the 'tendency toward the good Gestalt' (the 1st level) is manifested on a concrete
level (3rd level) 'Gestalt factors'. Part III uses the constructs and empirical
facts presented to formulate a Gestalt theory of psychotherapy which sees such therapy
as an opportunity for creative freedom.