Ideas from therapy models
Gestalt use of language
Gestalt uses different rules of communication from everyday conversation, aiming to promote active dialogue and awareness. It is an approach that uses language to
take responsibility
be clear
be in the now
be direct
Taking responsibility
NOT using It, You, We, One âwhich disown and keep the feeling outside
USING I statements
Avoid Generalizations
One does this …. We all feel …. âIt’s well known that People feel….
CHANGE TO: I do I feel I know that
Change to making direct statements rather than indirect ones
Instead of not asking directly for what we need we can ask for it clearly.
Instead of making comments to the air in generalizations, we can tell the person concerned how we really feel.
Claiming/owning choice
I can’t becomes I won’t/I choose not to
I should/I must becomes I prefer to/I choose to.
I had to becomes I decided to/I choose to.
Past/present as Figure/Ground
Talking about events and feelings as though they are out there in the past avoids uncomfortable emotions. Describing them in the here and now brings us into contact with the feeling.
Transactional analysis
TA is absolutely chock-a-block with jargon: so please forgive us for using it! If you are interested in the concepts, you may be interested to read more.
