Gestalt is defined as “an organised whole that is perceived as more than the sum of its parts.” What this really means is that we—as human beings—are more than just our thoughts, feelings, or behaviours. Gestalt recognises the self as an interconnected whole, shaped by our history, our longings, and the context we live in. Just as a plant is best understood within its full ecosystem, we too can only be fully seen within the broader field of our relationships, bodies, culture, and environment. Rather than focusing solely on the past or analysing what’s “wrong,” Gestalt brings attention to what’s happening right now—how we think, feel, move, and relate in the present moment.

Through this awareness, we can begin to recognise old patterns , reconnect with our needs, and experiment with new ways of being. While the past is honoured, the emphasis is on what’s happening in the here and now—in your body, your breath, your emotions, and between us in the therapeutic relationship. It’s grounded in the belief that lasting change comes not from trying to be different, but from becoming more fully who we already are.

Through this process, we learn to notice what’s alive in us, to meet ourselves with curiosity, and to gently loosen the patterns that no longer serve us. In doing so, we create space for greater awareness, choice, and flexibility to emerge, which is at the core of the Gestalt approach.