Gestalt therapy (Gestalt, Gestalt Psychotherapy)

"Holistic approach" cofounded by psychiatrist Fritz (Frederick) Perls (1893-1970), M.D., and Laura Perls. It shares little with Gestalt psychology (configurationism). Its theory posits five "personality layers." According thereto, one reaches the "death layer" when "blocked feelings" and "psychic energy" condense and knot, and the "life layer" through the release of "blocked energies." The purported aim of Gestalt therapy, which includes dreamwork, is to help clients achieve "wholeness."