Gestalt in Social Work: Case Studies in Practice

This book deals with key situations in social work and reflects on them from the perspective of the Gestalt approach, which has enormous potential for consulting practice. The Gestalt approach has so far played a minimal or no role in social science courses (social work, psychology) as well as in the practice of social work. This book makes the Gestalt approach accessible to a wider audience so that specialists can expand their methodological repertoire accordingly.

The authors see professionalism as a continuous, lifelong process that consists of training, reflection and research in specific practical situations. With this volume, they open up a learning path for readers, conveying a didactic concept so that readers can acquire methodological skills for conducting consultations. Based on the authors' experiences dealing with the topics of depression, addiction, codependency, parenting advice, trauma/dissociation and psychosis, short video recordings, commented transcriptions and summary graphics have been created to explain the basic relationship dynamics and approaches to action. This learning material can be used by students and practitioners in the field of the social work, but it is also would interest anyone who is involved in consulting and coaching in other areas. The focus is on reenacting and reflecting on practical situations based on cases. In role plays, students or professionals put themselves in the shoes of clients and consultants. Through these case reflections, basic conversation dynamics on specific topics can be both experienced as well as understood. Approaches can be tried out in order to expand the methodological repertoire for practice.

Gestalt in Social Work: Case Studies in Practice is primarily intended for students, lecturers, professors, teachers and practitioners of social work. Readers in the fields of psychology and psychotherapy (doctors, psychiatrists, psychotherapists), Gestalt therapists and trainers, and consultants in other related fields also would find the book of interest.

The translation of the original German version of this book into English was done with the help of artificial intelligence. The authors (with the friendly support of a bilingual psychologist) have subsequently revised the text further in an endeavour to refine the work stylistically.

Armin Schachameier, PhD is professor of theories and methods of social work since 2020 at the FH Potsdam, Germany. From 2010 to 2020 he headed the dual course in social services at the Berufsakademie Breitenbrunn. From 2004 to 2009 he was head of therapy at the Oberpfalz Rehabilitation Center - a sociotherapeutic addiction facility for addicts with chronic multiple impairments. He is a Gestalt therapist and completed his training at the Institute for Integrative Gestalt Weiterbildung (IGW).

Ulrich Reichert is the founder of Irgendwie-Anders Ggmbh. He completed an apprenticeship as a tool mechanic, studied medicine and trained as a Gestalt therapist. His training institutes were the Institute for Gestalt und Erfahrung (IGE) and the Center for Gestalt Therapy in Würzburg, Germany. He also completed Paul Rebillot's master class. He set up the Gestaltakademie from Irgendiwe-Anders and is also the training manager.

Tom Breitenfeldt completed training as a gestalt therapist at the Center for Gestalt Therapy in Würzburg, Germany. He completed experiential education training at Event Nature. From 2010 to 2020 he worked as an independent adventure educator for the Globetrotter Academy, among others. He runs his own practice for Gestalt therapy. He has been a seminar leader at Irgendwie-Anders since around 2010. He also works there in training and personnel development.