Sonntag, 11. Oktober 2026

Somatic Experiencing

Somatic Experiencing is a body-oriented trauma therapy method developed by Peter Levine (USA, 1942). His first book ("Waking the Tiger") was published in 1997.

How Somatic Experiencing was developed

The biophysicist and psychologist Peter Levine has wondered why wild animals that experience life-threatening events on a daily basis are hardly traumatized. He has found that in such survival situations, large energies are activated in the body to ensure survival through fight or flight. However, when these fight or flight responses are not possible or cannot be completed, the energy remains trapped in the nervous system and (trauma) symptoms develop: The nervous system then gets stuck either in the highly activated fight or flight mode/sympathetic nervous system (symptoms such as hypervigilance, flashbacks, nightmares) or in the “playing possum reflex’/dorsal parasympathetic nervous system (symptoms such as emotional numbing, dissociation or hopelessness). Animals have an advantage over humans in that they can discharge this unused mobilization energy in a natural way, e.g. by trembling. Through this process, the nervous system can return to a healthy balance. In SE therapy, the first step is to increase the processing and containment capacity of our nervous system, so that we can then process and integrate this blocked trauma energy in small pieces at a time.


What is a trauma? according to Somatic Experiencing

Trauma is the inhibited response of the nervous system, not the external event. Trauma occurs when the organism is overwhelmed in its ability to regulate states of arousal. The traumatized nervous system breaks down and cannot rebalance itself on its own. This manifests itself in a thorough fixation and loss of connection. This leads to a restriction of resonance, vitality and orientation to the present moment and can perpetuate itself. In Stephen Porges words, trauma characterizes the switch of the organism to ‘protection mode’ instead of ‘connection mode’.


The role of the nervous system

In SE, the nervous system takes on a central role. This understanding is based on the belief that most of our actions, experiences and thoughts are determined and influenced by the states of the nervous system (bottom-up). These states are not necessarily conscious but implicit. Trauma also resides in the implicit part of our memory or in the body, as trauma researcher Bessel van der Kolk says ("The body keeps the score"). Therefore, the therapeutic approach aims at working with the implicit memory in the nervous system rather than cognitive restructuring. The therapist always keeps the client’s nervous system in focus, because it reveals more than the story told (although the story is important too, of course): the nervous system indicates whether the person is feeling safe and connected, anxiously scanning the area for danger, or absently and seemingly calm floating away in dissociation.
Every nervous system is continuously scanning the environment for danger, and is adapting to the perceived conditions without a conscious awareness of it. This process is called neuroception and has been introduced by Stephen Porges. The therapist helps the patient to develop an awareness of his/her neuroception and the states of the nervous system. This is the basis for self-regulation of one's nervous system. The goal of each individual SE session is to support the patient being able to hold the emerging activation energy (emotions, body sensations, etc.) and to return to a more balanced state. In the long term, these experiences of calming and co-regulation lead to an increase in resilience, i.e. the ability to vibrate and regulate, reduce the fear of intense emotions, and increase trust in one's own body.


SE and the Polyvagal Theory

Originally, Peter Levine and Stephen Porges, the founder of polyvagal theory, developed their concepts independently. But when they discovered the similarities of their theories in the 1970’s, they also began to work together. The polyvagal theory provides a very suitable theoretical foundation for Somatic Experiencing and vice-versa: Somatic Experiencing is the consistent transfer and application of the polyvagal theory into practice. In brief, the PVT postulates that the state of our nervous system affects our experiencing, feeling, perceiving, thinking, and our autonomic, autonomic body responses (blood pressure, heart rate, perspiration, etc.). Porges conducted research on the vagus nerve, which is responsible for the parasympathetic state, and - simply put - distinguished between 'connected' relaxation in safety (ventral vagus) and 'disconnected' relaxation in danger of life (dorsal vagus). The latter corresponds to freeze state, dissociation, or, in animals, the ‘playing possum reflex’. Moreover, he identified social contact as a regulatory mechanism for our nervous system and thus a biological necessity for healthy regulation and thus human survival. Porges defines trauma as follows: "Trauma impairs our capacity for interpersonal contact by replacing patterns of connection with patterns of protection."


SE and Spirituality

Somatic Experiencing does not claim to be spiritual or religious, and neither do I. Nevertheless, I would like to point out the compatibility of these approaches of life. The philosophy of SE - just like that of NARM or Gestalt therapy - corresponds to a humanistic view of man: we all have autonomy and responsibility for our actions, and already possess within ourselves everything we are looking for and need for healing. In other words, it is about rediscovering the natural self-healing and regulatory capacity that is inherent in all of us. And it is about accepting oneself the way we are in every moment. Only like that can we realize that we already are who we want to become and that it is therefore more about letting go of resistance than about "working out" an ability or efforting. As much as I understand about ZEN Buddhism - and I am not an expert - it is also about learning to accept everything as it is and letting it pass through you. In polyvagal terms, that would mean: In a ventral-vagal state, I am in the present moment, connected to myself with the ability to flexibly regulate and openly adaptively respond to the world and meet other people.


SE, developmental trauma and touch

The deeper the layers of consciousness that we want to touch and treat, the more likely we are dealing with preverbal early childhood ‘memories’, and thus a time when we were babies. For this reason, journeys into these depths require more support and safety and also a very special kind of communication, namely one that can be understood by our preverbal, right-hemispheric brain: this includes physical contact, touch, gentle rhythmic movements and play. If someone feels ready to embark to these deeper layers and work through developmental traumas, I am happy to help.

Links


Book recommendations

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NARM - Neuro-Affective Relational Model

NARM is a new therapeutic method - as the name suggests - combining the latest neuroscientific research on self-regulation with a developmental-psychodynamic background. Founder Laurence Heller has been a trainer in Somatic Experiencing (SE) and long time associate of Peter Levine, before developing his own approach, NARM, as an extension of SE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What makes NARM so unique?

  • NARM combines the bottom-up approach of SE and body therapy with the top-down approach of Psychotherapy. In other words, it combines techniques of body therapy and talk therapy and brings the two directions together.

  • NARM is resource-oriented rather than symptom-oriented.

  • NARM promotes autonomy and self-regulation rather than regression.

  • NARM focuses (like Gestalt therapy) on the Here and Now, the therapeutic relationship, keeping the relevant developmental perspective in sight. In other words, NARM combines elements of Gestalt therapy with elements of the psychoanalytical theory.

  • NARM focuses on inner conflicts and relational issues (such as psychoanalytic therapy) and combines it with a body centered approach (bottom-up).

  • NARM builds on the fundamental insights of Peter Levine on the regulation of the nervous system. The patient learns to regulate his nervous system himself.

Which methods have influenced NARM?

NARM did not reinvent the wheel but has brought together aspects of the following therapeutic methods:

  • "Somatic Experiencing" (bottom-up-approach, “felt sense”, sensory awareness, techniques for self-regulation)

  • Psychoanalytic therapy (Psychoanalytic understanding of inner conflicts, interpersonal dynamic, transference)

  • Body therapies (Developmental phases, resp. character typology of Reich, Lowen)

  • Gestalt therapy (Phenomenology, Focus on the Here & Now)

  • Cognitive Behavioral therapy /CBT (cognitive bias, top-down-approach)

  • Affective Neurosciences (Polyvagal theory, Porges)

  • Esoteric approaches (Vipassana meditation technique, Eckhart Tolle, and others)

NARM in action

  • NARM is a subtle approach, where the patient determines direction, pace and depth of what is happening.

  • Mindfulness plays a central role in NARM.

  • NARM focuses on learning self-regulation techniques. The therapist will be mirroring visible changes of your nervous system to you. This will help you to develop a better sense of your own system’s reactions.


Basic assumptions of NARM

  • The approach is a humanistic one: the needs of the client are central. The therapist does not want anything except supporting the patient in attaining his goals.

  • Strong focus on resources: Once you have access to his own strength, your symptoms will disappear on their own. This is a key difference to most other therapies that focus on symptoms and how to eliminate them.

  • NARM, on the other hand, focuses on the positive, the life force, the energy.

Explanation of terms

  • Bottom-up: From the bottom up, or from the experience to the concept. Typical procedure in body therapies.

  • Top-down: From top to bottom, or from the concept to the body. Preferred approach in talking therapies.

  • Regressive approach: the client is going back in time and re-living feelings of his early chilhood, in order to gain new experiences.

  • Anti-regressive approach (as practiced in NARM): The client retains control and perspective of the current adult self, looking at the past from a safe distance.

  • The Polyvagal theory by Stephen Porges explores the relationship between social behavior and the nervous system.

  • Developmental trauma: unfortunately a confusing term, because it does not refer to a trauma in the traditional sense (not a PTSD). Instead, it characterizes all learned childhood adjustment patterns, whether pathological or not. The term developmental trauma is also not a recognized diagnosis.

Five developmental themes

NARM uses five basic needs we have as small children, to define five developmental themes we encounter as adults. The less one of those needs has been nurtured in childhood, the more it will still be capturing us as adults:

Contact. We feel like we belong to this world. We are in contact with our body and our emotions and are capable of sustaining meaningful relationships with others.

Attunement. We know what we need and are able to approach others when we need their support and proximity. We are able to enjoy the qualities of life.

Trust. We have an inherent self-confidence and trust others. We feel secure enough to allow and rely on healthy depending relationships.

Autonomy. We are able to say “No” and set clear boundaries towards others. We are capable to express our thouhgts without feeling guilty or afraid.

Love. Our heart is open and our nervous system in balance, which supports loving relationships and healthy sexuality.

As long as these five basic needs are met, we remain in flow and in good contact with ourselves. We encounter our environment with a sense of security and confidence. We feel centered and experience a certain extension. To the extent that these basic needs are not taken care of, we develop certain survival or compensational strategies to cope with the lack of contact and with the the disrupted regulation.

Links and literature on NARM


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What is EMDR?

EMDR stands for "Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing" and was discovered between 1987 and 1989 by the American Psychologist Dr. Francine Shapiro developed for the treatment of trauma. She found out that rapid (horizontal) eye movement triggers the processing of memory in the brain. What sounds simple at first is a complex and comprehensive Psychotherapy method, which requires several years of training, and to which currently only recognized Psychotherapists are admitted.

When I first heard of the incredible healing effects of EMDR (example #1, #2) I became suspicious and thought it was unserious and unscientific. Meanwhile, I am convinced that EMDR is a very effective therapy method and a powerful tool to speed up Psychotherapeutic processes. It works with most people.


History

In 1987, Shapiro accidentally discovered the effects of eye movements. She had just received a difficult diagnosis herself and went for a walk in the hospital park to digest the news. She moved her eyes (randomly) quickly back and forth and ten minutes later, her distress suddenly had disappeared. Shapiro was so fascinated by this event, that she developed EMDR in the following years. Later, Shapiro and colleagues found that the effect can not be caused solely by eye movements, but rather by bilateral stimulation. But by that time, the name EMDR has already been established and so that they decided to keep it. When you do EMDR today, you have a choice to do it using eye movements, alternating sounds (with headphones) or with a vibrating device ("EMDR Buzzies"with alternating vibrations, see picture).

How does it work?

Interestingly, the efficacy is well documented, but it is not completely understood how and why EMDR works. There are, however, some hypotheses:

  • The bilateral stimulation boosts the processing of memories, similar to REM sleep

  • EMDR triggers an orientation reaction, leading directly to desensitization and processing of traumatic memory

  • EMDR promotes bilateral data exchange between the two sides of the brain so that "stuck" memories can be processed.

  • EMDR “deblocks” the Information processing system in the central nervous system (CNS). Due to the sensory overload during a traumatic situation, this system is thought to be partially blocked with PTSD patients.


Slow vs. fast stimulation

With slow stimulation, existing phenomena are intensified or anchored. Note that these effects are only temporary. This technique will be used during a first ‘trial session’ (so called absorption technique) or at the conclusion of a successful EMDR session. Fast stimulation, however, is used for the actual EMDR treatment. Memories are processd deeply and the effects are permanent.

Effectiveness

The EMDR method has been accepted as an effective and time-efficient treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder. By now, almost every civilized country has its own EMDR training center. Furthermore, EMDR is being adapted successfully for other Psychiatric disorders. In the 30 years of its existence, EMDR has become the therapeutic method with the most controlled and uncontrolled therapeutic trials for the treatment of PTSD. [Current state of EMDR research] The effects are persistent and stand out clearly from placebo effects. A person with a single trauma (and no other preconditions) might only need a few sessions (10 or so) of EMDR treatment until they feel significantly better. For a person suffering from early or repeated traumatization, it will take takes substantially longer. The period of stabilization (before you can confront any trauma at all) might take weeks to years.
 

Which problems can EMDR be used for?

  • Monotrauma (single traumatic event) such as accidents, catastrophic events

  • Complex trauma (early or repeated traumatization) such as physical, emotional and sexual abuse, war experiences, etc.

  • Attachment issues / Developmental Trauma

  • Depression

  • Anxiety, panic attacks, phobia

  • ADHD

  • Asperger syndrome

  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder

  • Mourning processes

What does an EMDR treatment look like?

The treatement can be divided in 8 phases. In the best case scenario, you can start processing the difficult memories after a few sessions. These are the 8 phases which every EMDR treatment should contain:

1. Thorough medical history
- Especially stressful or traumatic events
- Diagnosis, possibly trauma assessment
- Indication und treatment plan

2. Preparation - this phase might take between a few sessions and years!
- In-depth information about the treatment
- Checking / acquiring strategies for emotion regulation
- Acquiring stabilizing techniques, getting in touch with
your body an feelings
- Trial session with positive memories (so called
Absorption-technique), with slow bilateral stmulation

3. Assessment of one chosen memory
- Image, thoughts, feelings, distress level, body sensations

4. Desensitization / Reprossessing
- with fast bilateral stimulation, until distress is gone

5. Installation of positive thoughts / body sensations with slow bilateral stimulation

6. Body scan

7. Closure The patient must be returned to a state of equilibrium at the end of each session, regardless of whether reprocessing is complete.

8. Reevaluation and treatment planning in the following session

The actual processing of the memories takes place in a 60-90 minute session (phases 3-7).

Note: Instead of the tiring eye movements, EMDR can be performed using a vibrating device (EMDR ”buzzies”, see picture above).

Preconditions for a EMDR treatment

  • Patient should ideally be in a relatively stable phase of life, meaning: currently no profound life events such as change of residence, final exam, separation / divorce, pregnancy, child birth, withdrawal treatment, etc.

  • Sufficient self-regulation mechanisms (since treatment is performed on an outpatient basis), also ability to allow stressful feelings

  • No ongoing abuse relationship

  • For ADHD patients, it is recommended to be on their medication that day

  • Exclusion criteria: psychosis, epilepsy, acute suicidality, permanent drug use, permanent use of benzodiazepines

Links and literature


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High Sensitivity - HSP (highly sensitive person)



The term High Sensitivity became popular 1997 when American psychologist Elaine N. Aron published her bestselling book "The highly sensitive person". Hence the abbreviation HSP. 


Characteristics of a highly sensitive person

1. Perception: HSP perceive more and more in depth
- Above average perception abilities of the 5 senses, z.T. hypersensitive.   Ex: Sensitive to loud noises, excellent sense of smell & taste, Sensitivity to certain materials     (clothing), etc. - HSP quickly experience overstimulation (too many impressions have to be processed) - Some HSP perceive thoughts, auras and some say they can communicate with the dead   (working partly as a medium).

2. Depth of processing: HSP process information more in depth 
- As a consequence, processing takes longer, costs more energy, but is then also deepened - Ex. A small remark during a conversation can keep a HSP mind busy for hours and days

3. Emotionally thin-skinned
- HSPs get hurt quickly - HSPs notice a lot of small things, for example the other person’s mood or the mood in a     group- HSPs often avoid conflicts and do a lot to preserve the harmony

4. Empathy
- Highly sensitive persons often have a highly developed sense of empathy.- For example, they suffer more from seeing other people's suffering: Some HSP’s have a     hard time watching the news, or aggression in movies, etc.). On the other hand, HSP’s also   can partake in someone else’s joy more intensely (crying during movies, emotional   moments, etc.).

5. Self-perception
As the environment of an HSP is often less sensitive than they are, the HSP adapts to it. For this purpose, they learn to focus more on the outer world than the inner world. This may result in a diminished ability for self-perception (knowing their inner world). Possible consequences are difficulties to formulate your own needs or the tendency to overburden yourself until exhaustion. 

6. Further specific talents 
- There are huge interpersonal differences as far as specific talents go- A lot of times high sensitivity goes hand in hand with a high IQ
- Perception of Auras, “energy fields”, or other different perceptive phenomena 
- Synesthesia is a perceptual phenomenon in which stimulation of one sensory or cognitive pathway leads to automatic, involuntary experiences in a second sensory or cognitive  pathway, f.ex. seeing colors with tastes, or seeing colors when hearing sounds. 
 

Therapy with a highly sensitive person

Oftentimes a highly sensitive person has already spent quite a bit of time and energy thinking about thir issues. Therefore, it is crucial to learn about their thoughts and hypothesis on the matter, also what a person might already have to tackle the problem. If the person is not yet aware of their high sensitivity, it might be very rewarding to take a closer look at the phenomenon. I have seen it over and over again how this concept has helped people understand their feelings, actions and perceptions and presented them a new perspective on their identity.
As high sensitivity is innate and cannot be changed per se, the therapy will focus more on self-acceptance and dealing with your own boundaries. By strengthening your self-awareness and learning how to become more centered, you will realize how far beyond your own boundaries you might have operated until now. Mindfulness can be practiced and encompasses the following levels: Thoughts, the five senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, touching), body sensations, feelings, needs, aversions and impulses. One of the main tasks in Gestalt therapy (and not just for HSP) is communicating in an appropriate way what you want and what you do not want. Another essential aspect of therapy with a highly sensitive person is to learn strategies to prevent over-stimulation.

Adaptation versus Authenticity 

I like working with my models, such as the model of ‘adaptation versus authenticity’. It looks at individual behavior on the dimensions of adaptation and authenticity. In other words: Are you a person that does whatever you want or do you always consider other people’s nees before your own? Highly sensitive individuals navigate oftentimes on the extreme left of the polarity, towards adaptation. They try to adapt to others expectations so much that they feel drained and chronically exhausted as a result, sometimes to the point of Burnout and Depression. In such cases, adapting has become second nature and it is not surprising that those affected struggle to express their own needs and aversions. Many HSPs long to be able to behave as their true self, and imagine it would be quite soothing. In a Psychotherapy you can learn how to develop a better sense of self, including feeling and acting more self-determined and authentic. Further you can find out how to attain a more sustainable and fulfilling life and energy balance.

 Are you highly sensitive?

1. I am easily overwhelmed by strong sensory input.

2. I seem to be aware of subtleties in my environment.

3. Other people’s moods affect me.

4. I tend to be very sensitive to pain.

5. I find myself needing to withdraw during busy days,into bed or into a darkened
room or any place where I can have some privacy and relief from stimulation.

6. I am particularly sensitive to the effects of caffeine.

7. I am easily overwhelmed by things like bright lights, strong smells,coarse fabrics,or
sirens close by.

8. I have a rich,complex inner life.

9. I am made uncomfortable by loud noises.

10. I am deeply moved by the arts or music.

11. My nervous system sometimes feels so frazzled that I just have to go off by myself.

12. I am conscientious.

13. I startle easily.

14. I get rattled when I have a lot to do in a short amount of time.

15. When people are uncomfortable in a physical environment I tend to know what
needs to be done to make it more comfortable (like changing the lighting or the
seating).

16. I am annoyed when people try to get me to do too many things at once.

17. I try hard to avoid making mistakes or forgetting things.

18. I make a point to avoid violent movies and TV shows.

19. I become unpleasantly aroused when a lot is going on around me.

20. Being very hungry creates a strong reaction in me,disrupting my concentration or mood.

21. Changes in my life shake me up.

22. I notice and enjoy delicate or fine scents, tastes, sounds, works of art.

23. I find it unpleasant to have a lot going on at once.

24. I make it a high priority to arrange my life to avoid upsetting or overwhelming situations.

25. I am bothered by intense stimuli, like loud noises or chaotic scenes.

26. When I must compete or be observed while performing a task, I become so nervous or
shaky that I do much worse than I would otherwise.

27. When I was a child, my parents or teachers seemed to see me as sensitive or shy.


Results : If you marked more than 14 statements as appropriate, you probably are a Highly Sensitive person. If the numbers are lower, but the statements in question are extremely true, then you still could affected. There is no definitive test, it is more about how much of your reality this concept can explain for you.

© 2000 Elaine N. Aron https://hsperson.com/test/highly-sensitive-test/

Links and Literature on HSP

 


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What is Gestalt Therapy?



 AI-generated image of founding members Fritz Perls, Laura Perls and Paul Goodman

Gestalt therapy is a scientific based therapy method in the humanistic tradition. It was founded in the 1950's by Fritz Perls, Laura Perls and Paul Goodman. Gestalt therapy has evolved from Psychoanalysis of Freud, but has integrated aspects of Gestalt psychology, Feld theory, phenomenology and existential philosophy. Gestalt therapy should not be confused with "Gestaltungstherapie". Gestalt therapy is an experience-based psychotherapeutic method, which can be used in one-on-one settings as well as couples therapy or group sessions and for adults, adolescents or kids. Subsequently, some of the basic concepts of Gestalt therapy are described.

 

Humanistic values

Gestalt therapy is part of the humanistic tradition and therefore represents a positive, resource-oriented understanding of a person. Every individual is capable of growing and changing creatively. One goal of therapy consists in liberating the vitality and creativity of a person and developing the personal capabilities and resources of building and structuring their environment, as well as distancing oneself from unhealthy states.

 

Symptoms as creative solution attempts

Contrary to traditional behavioral therapy where symptoms are viewed as "dysfunctional" or "maladaptive" and need to be changed as quickly as possible, Gestalt therapy understands symptoms as creative attempts of adaptation from an earlier time. Often times, children have chosen the best available strategy at that time to get through a difficult situation or time period. This different way of understanding symptoms as a creative effort instead of a failed one, constitutes the positive and supportive approach of Gestalt therapy. It supports patients in accepting who they are by appreciating and understanding their efforts so far. In the course of therapy, the symptoms - or chronified solution attempts - need to be reevaluated from the momentary perspective.

 

Integration

Each individual has facets of his personality which he prefers and others which he rather would hide in the closet. Those hidden parts hinder a lively, vibrant, intelligent and realistic exchange with the actual world around him. In order to regain this lost treasure, to become whole and balanced as a person again and to be able to react appropriately to the challenges of every day life, it is helpful to explore and appreciate the hidden aspects of ones persona. That way these aspects can be brought back to awareness and integrated in the unity of an individual's personality.

Successful psychotherapy achieves integration. Integration requires identification with all vital functions - not with only some of the patient's ideas, emotions and actions. Any rejection of one's own ideas, emotions or actions results in alienation. Reowning allows the person to be whole. The task then, in therapy, is to have the person become aware of previously alienated parts and taste them, consider them and assimilate them if they are ego-syntonic or reject them if they prove to be ego-alien.

 

Experience instead of interpretation

Learning usually happens through a personal experience. More than any other therapy, Gestalt therapy emphasizes that whatever exists is here and now and that experience is more reliable than interpretation. That is why Gestalt therapy is called an experience-based psychotherapy method. The patient is taught the difference between talking about what occurred five minutes ago (or 20 years ago) and experiencing what is now. The contact between therapist and patient offers a safe place to absorb, experience and explore the current life situation and to express the inherent feelings in order to close any open Gestalt.

 

Holistic approach

Gestalt therapy views body and soul as one unit. Therefore, not only spoken words are of interest but also facial expressions, gestures, posture, language, voice and last but not least, the entirety of the body. The ultimate goal is to reach a higher awareness of one's self.

 

Awareness / Mindfulness

Gestalt therapy embodies a keen interest for life and your own person. The world and especially your own body is full of cues of information which can help us facilitate our decisions in life. A fine radar for phenomena of the inner self as well as for the outer world will not only deepen your life experience but are necessary to be able to react appropriately in difficult situatons. Also they will help achieving happiness through striving for your personal needs. Generally, four dimensions of phenomena can be distinguished: (1) all senses (seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, tactile), (2) body functions, (3) thoughts and (4) feelings. We are fortunante that everyone's radar for these phenomena can be improved through practice!

 

The paradox of change

The quote by Gestalt therapist Arnold Beisser became one of the major points of orientation in Gestalt therapy: "Change happens, when you become what you are, not when you try to become something you are not." In other words: change will happen when you stop trying to be any different from who you really are but when you succeed in accepting yourself the way you really are. When the therapist rejects the change agent role, change that is orderly and also meaningful is possible.

Children swallow whole (introject) ideas and behavior. This results in an enforced morality rather than a personally compatible one. As a result, people frequently feel guilt when they behave in accordance with their wants as opposed to their shoulds. Some people invest an enormous amount of energy in maintaining the split between shoulds and wants. Shoulds sabotage such people, and the more they push to be what they are not, the more resistance is set up, and no change occurs.

 

Phenomenology

Gestalt therapy practices the observation and description of phenomena free of hypotheses. The obvious and observable information is preferred as opposed to hidden or past information. In other words: Gestalt therapy is a method of "here and now" without denying that every person is formed by his or her past experiences. Instead of digging for those lost memories, Gestalt therapy looks at how a person acts in the present life situation with his or her particular background.

 

Gestalt

The term "Gestalt" derives from the German word meaning "a configuration or pattern of elements so unified as a whole that it cannot be described merely as a sum of its parts". Every Gestalt has a figure and a background. It steps into consciousness, closes itself or stays open / unfinished demanding closure. An open "Gestalt" could be for example an unresolved conflict, an unfulfilled wish or an unprocessed traumatic experience. Through mindfulness practice, a new Gestalt can step forward and change the entire picture, resp. world view.

 

Contact

Contact is one of the most basic concepts in Gestalt therapy and means the exchange between a person and its environment. Continuously, we are in contact with somebody or something. Successful contact supports growth. The existential philosopher Martin Buber states that the person ("I") has meaning only in relation to others, in the I-Thou contact. Gestalt therapy helps clients develop their own support for desired contact or withdrawal

 

The meaning of health

A healthy person has a good inner outer contact and at the same the capabilities to define his/her borders (inner and outer) - adequately to the situation and the person's state of development. Furthermore, a healthy individual is capable to meet their needs without harming others or the environment.

 

Note

Some of these thoughts were taken from the introductory chapter in "Awareness, Dialogue, and Process" published by The Gestalt Journal Press. Copyright 1993 by Gary Yontef. http://www.gestalt.org/yontef.htm

Some literature about Gestalt therapy:


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Sonntag, 5. Juli 2026

Neue Adresse für Blog: swissdrphil.wordpress.com

Ab sofort werde ich die neuen Blogbeiträge auf der Wordpress-Seite veröffentlichen.

Bitte speichern Sie die neue Seite ab:

https://swissdrphil.wordpress.com 

Die alte Seite wird noch bis Ende Jahr hier verweilen. 

Vielen Dank für Ihr Interesse! 

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Sonntag, 28. Juni 2026

Geometrie der Psyche: Ein Koordinatensystem für Persönlichkeit, Verletzlichkeit und echte Begegnung

Die Idee für dieses Modell kam mir neulich an einem Sonntagmorgen im Dämmerzustand – und ich möchte sie hier kurz skizzieren. Es ist keine ausgereifte, wissenschaftliche Theorie, sondern ein Gedankenspiel, das ich im Moment spannend genug finde, um es in diesem Blogbeitrag zu teilen.

Kommen wir gleich zum Kern: Persönlichkeit ist letztlich nichts anderes als chronifizierte Überlebensstrategien, mit denen wir uns im Laufe des Lebens identifiziert haben. Im Buddhismus gilt das Ego als ein Zustand des Festhaltens, der Rigidität und als Einschränkung der natürlichen Flexibilität. Ganz ähnlich sieht es die westliche Psychiatrie: Rigidität wird hier fast immer mit Pathologie assoziiert. Persönlichkeitszüge oder Verhaltensmuster gelten meist erst dann als problematisch oder pathologisch, wenn sie starr, alternativlos und unreflektiert ablaufen.

Beispielsweise reagiert jemand mit einer narzisstischen Persönlichkeitsstörung (wie z.B. Trump) auf Kritik fast immer nach demselben Muster: Abwehr, Leugnung, Abwertung des Gegenübers und ein umso brutalerer Gegenangriff. Warum? Weil die darunterliegende Verletzlichkeit – das schmerzhafte Gefühl, nicht gemocht oder gar verlassen zu werden – komplett abgespalten und verdrängt ist. Es wäre schlicht zu bedrohlich, dieses Gefühl zuzulassen. Das bringt uns zur ersten Achse unseres Koordinatensystems.

1. Achse: Kontakt zur eigenen Verletzlichkeit versus Abspaltung

Die Frage hier lautet: Wie sehr bin ich mit meiner eigenen Verletzlichkeit verbunden?

Die Psychologie nutzt dafür je nach Schule unterschiedliche Begriffe: Carl Gustav Jung sprach vom Schatten, Fritz Perls von abgespaltenen Polaritäten, Sigmund Freud von Verdrängung. Traumatherapeuten wie Pierre Janet oder Bessel van der Kolk betonen die Schutzfunktion der Dissoziation, während Körpertherapie-Pioniere wie Wilhelm Reich und Peter Levine auf die energetischen und regulativen Einbussen im Nervensystem hinweisen.

Die Gemeinsamkeit all dieser Konzepte liegt in der Überzeugung, dass Abspaltung oder Dissoziation unser System in seiner Lebenskraft schwächt. Erst wenn auch unsere Schattenseiten integriert und akzeptiert sind, können wir voll und lebendig im Leben stehen. Oder um es mit einem Paradox auf den Punkt zu bringen: Erst wenn wir uns erlauben, uns verletzlich und schwach zu fühlen, werden wir wahrhaftig stark.

Betrachten wir nun die Dimension, die dieses System vervollständigt.

2. Achse: Fokus auf die eigene Person versus Fokus auf andere

Hier geht es um die Aufmerksamkeit: Wie sehr bin ich um mich selbst zentriert und wie sehr beim Gegenüber?

Auf der einen Seite steht der extreme Selbstfokus. Das kann bedeuten, die eigenen Bedürfnisse rücksichtslos über die anderer zu stellen (klassischer Narzissmus). Es kann aber auch sein, dass das eigene Innere so laut nach Aufmerksamkeit «schreit», dass schlicht kein Raum bleibt, um sich jemand anderem zuzuwenden. Letzteres erleben wir oft bei Menschen mit einer Borderline-Dynamik. Je stärker diese Dimension des ausschliesslichen Selbstfokus ausgeprägt ist, umso schwieriger wird es, nährende Beziehungen zu führen. Denn jede gesunde Beziehung lebt von der Gegenseitigkeit: dem Wechselspiel aus Geben und Nehmen, Zuhören und Erzählen.

Das andere Extrem – der komplette Fokus auf das Gegenüber – ist jedoch genauso problematisch, wenn auch subtiler. Menschen mit dieser Ausprägung fallen weniger auf. Sie halten sich mit ihren Bedürfnissen zurück, meiden das Rampenlicht und sind oft so sehr mit der Haltung «Ich bin mit wenig zufrieden» identifiziert, dass sie den eigenen Mangel gar nicht mehr wahrnehmen. Sie haben sich vielleicht innerlich schon halbwegs damit abgefunden, immer als Letzte dranzukommen oder leer auszugehen. Sie reden sich ein, dass die Zufriedenheit des anderen sie glücklich macht und sie nicht mehr brauchen. Natürlich gibt es hochsensible Menschen, die die Freude anderer tief mitempfinden können. Dennoch behaupte ich: Es ist neurobiologisch und psychologisch ein riesiger Unterschied, ob ich meine eigenen Bedürfnisse erfülle oder lediglich jemand anderem dabei zusehe.

Diese permanente Ausrichtung nach aussen geschieht natürlich nie grundlos. Oft war sie in der Kindheit überlebenswichtig:

  • Szenario A: Der Vater hatte ein Alkoholproblem, und man wusste nie, in welcher Stimmung er nach Hause kommt. Also war es überlebenswichtig, den inneren Radar permanent nach aussen zu richten, um die Stimmung im Raum frühzeitig zu lesen und regulierend einzugreifen. Erst wenn die Situation im Aussen «sicher» war, gab es überhaupt eine Chance auf Zuwendung.

  • Szenario B: Ein autistisches Kind macht immer wieder die Erfahrung, dass sein ungefiltertes, authentisches Verhalten auf Ablehnung stösst. Auf diese Weise wird «Sichtbar-Sein» mit Schmerz und unangenehmen Erfahrungen verknüpft. Die logische Folge: Das Kind tut alles, um unsichtbar zu werden, passt sich extrem an und greift zum sogenannten Masking, um schlicht nicht mehr aufzufallen.

 


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Schauen wir uns die verschiedenen Quadranten an, die sich ergeben

1. Quadrant (rechts oben): Fokus auf eigene Person und in Kontakt mit Verletzlichkeit 

→ negativer Narzissmus: Mit eigener Verletzlichkeit und Bedürftigkeit im Zentrum stehen 

→ Was fehlt? Fokus aufs Gegenüber, Zuhören, Empathie für das Gegenüber, Erfahrung, auch gesehen
      zu werden ohne Drama und Bedürftigkeit

Identifikationen:

  • «Die Welt ist ungerecht – ich bekomme immer zu wenig»

  • «Ich bin schwach und brauche viel Aufmerksamkeit und Unterstützung»

  • «Ich bekomme nur Aufmerksamkeit, wenn es mir nicht gut geht»

2. Quadrant (links oben): Fokus auf eigene Person und abgespalten von der Verletzlichkeit 

→ Narzisst / Borderline

→ Was fehlt? Selbstkontakt, Eigene Bedürftigkeit / Verletzlichkeit zu spüren, 
      Raum und Interesse für das Gegenüber, Selbstreflektion

Identifikationen:

  • «Wenn ich ganz viel bekomme, schmerzt vielleicht die innere Leere weniger»

  • «Ich bin etwas Besonderes und verdiene alle Aufmerksamkeit» (Narzissmus)

  • «Wenn ich ganz viel habe und leiste, werde ich vielleicht geliebt und spüre den Mangel in mir nicht mehr»


3. Quadrant (unten links): Fokus auf Gegenüber und abgespalten von der Verletzlichkeit 

→ Selbstentfremdung, Dissoziation, überangepasster «Roboter»

→ Was fehlt? Selbstkontakt, Selbstakzeptanz, Erfahrung, in einer Beziehung zu sein und so sein zu
      können wie man ist, Authentizität fehlt, Grenzen, eigene Identität

Identifikationen:

  • «Ich bin nicht richtig, so wie ich bin»

  • «Meine Bedürfnisse überfordern andere»

  • «Spüren ist gefährlich oder überfordernd»

  • «Aufmerksamkeit anderer ist bedrohlich»

4. Quadrant (unten rechts): Fokus auf Gegenüber und in Kontakt mit Verletzlichkeit 

→ Selbstunsicher, überangepasst, teils passiv-aggressiv, Helfersyndrom

→ Was fehlt? Selbstvertrauen, Selbstkontakt, Selbstakzeptanz, Grenzen, Erfahrung, sich selbst sein zu
      dürfen in einer Beziehung (insbesondere autonom und stark sein zu dürfen)

Identifikationen:

  • «Meine Bedürfnisse sind nicht so wichtig»

  • «Ich bin mit wenig zufrieden»

  • «Wenn ich die Bedürfnisse des Gegenübers befriedige, erhalte ich vielleicht 
    irgendwann einmal etwas Nährendes für mich»

  • «Ich bin nur liebenswert, wenn ich mehr gebe als nehme»

  • «Ich bin nicht gut genug»

Wozu das Modell dienen kann

Dieses Koordinatensystem kann Psychotherapeutinnen und Psychotherapeuten als intuitive Orientierungshilfe in der Praxis dienen. Mithilfe der zwei Achsen lassen sich Klienten grob in einem der vier Quadranten verorten. Auf einen Blick wird deutlich, welche Polaritäten im System noch fehlen oder abgespalten sind, um den Weg in Richtung Ganzheit und Authentizität einzuschlagen.

Der gesunde Zielzustand: Wo liegt die Balance?

Was also ist das Ziel, und wo im Modell findet sich ein gesund, authentisch lebender Mensch wieder?

Auf der ersten Achse ganz klar auf der Seite des Kontakts zur eigenen Verletzlichkeit. Auf der horizontalen Achse («Fokus auf sich» versus «auf andere») bewegt sich dieser Mensch hingegen flexibel. Er ist idealerweise sowohl mit sich selbst als auch mit dem Gegenüber tief verbunden. Und sollte diese Balance einmal verloren gehen, besitzt er die regulatorische Flexibilität, sich selbst wieder ins Gleichgewicht zu bringen. Diese Fähigkeit, gleichzeitig die inneren Signale des eigenen Körpers und die Signale des Gegenübers wahrzunehmen, nennen wir in der Therapie Dual Awareness (duale Aufmerksamkeit).

Warum dieses Modell für uns Therapeuten so entscheidend ist

Das Modell fokussiert auf zwei zentrale psychotherapeutische Kompetenzen:

1. Dual Awareness ist eine Kernkompetenz für Psychotherapeutinnen und -therapeuten, die sich trainieren lässt.

2. Fähigkeit, in Kontakt mit der eigenen Verletzlichkeit zu sein: Diese Fähigkeit macht den feinen, aber entscheidenden Unterschied zwischen einer echten Begegnung auf Augenhöhe und einem distanzierten Kontakt, bei dem wir uns hinter unserer professionellen Rolle verstecken und als Mensch nicht spürbar sind.

Je mehr wir uns trauen, in der Therapiesitzung als fühlende, verletzliche Menschen präsent zu sein – natürlich ohne die eigene Bedürfnisse in den Vordergrund zu stellen, umso mehr gewinnt die Beziehung an heilender Menschlichkeit.

Wie kraftvoll das ist, erlebte ich unlängst in einer Supervision: Ich versuchte einer Supervisandin zu erklären, warum es so wichtig ist, dass auch ich einen spürbaren Draht zu meiner eigenen Verletzlichkeit halte, wenn mein Gegenüber sich öffnet. Während ich darüber sprach, wurde ich selbst einen Moment lang emotional – ohne dabei die professionelle Fassung zu verlieren. In genau diesem Moment fühlte sich die Supervisandin zutiefst gesehen. Es war für uns beide der lebendige Beweis wie wertvoll ein authentisches Gegenüber sein kann. Meist ist es nicht nötig, diese eigene Berührtheit zum Thema zu machen, denn das Gegenüber wird sie unwillkürlich spüren und sich in der eigenen Verletzlichkeit weniger alleine fühlen.





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