The dynamic figure/background in Gestalt therapy

(This image is taken from the site: https://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Figura_femminile_perin.jpg).

The dynamic figure/background, in Gestalt therapy, replaces the psychoanalytic concept of projection. The patient does not project, but perceives a stimulus in the relationship with the therapist. The perception of this stimulus originates from patient's relational need. The presence of the therapist allows the patient to manifest and to solve it (M. Spagnuolo Lobb, The now for the next in psychotherapy - Gestalt therapy recounted in post-modern society, Franco Angeli, 2011).

The figure that the patient brings to therapist emerges from a background. This background is therapeutic relationship. Therapist's presence allows the co-creation of this relationship. The therapist, for that reason, must always ask himself what contribution adds to the experience of the patient.

Patient's perception (figure) attaches to personal characteristics of the therapist. These features are some of essential aspects of co-created relationship by the two members (background).

The first step is therefore to understand which experiential background originates a certain figure. The next step is to understand which contact intentionality determines the formation of figure.

Understanding patient's contact intentionality is the cornerstone of this process. The goal of the therapist is actually to track down this intentionality. He must support it and ensure that it develops in therapeutic contact.

In this way the therapist will help the patient in his definition of the self. Patient will then be able to transform his desire into action in life of every day (M. Spagnuolo Lobb, The now for next in psychotherapy - Gestalt therapy recounted in post-modern society, Franco Angeli, 2011).