Gestalt work / GST-A08-1
Approach and Withdrawal — Concept brief
Understand the idea behind approach and withdrawal and consider whether it fits your context.
8 minutes · Handout · Adults; supported use as appropriate
Fictional example: Rae wants to join a discussion and also wants time to think.
Use an ordinary or fictional example, with a clinician when appropriate. Moving closer and stepping back can both serve contact.
The idea
Moving closer and stepping back can both serve contact.
An ordinary example
Rae wants to join a discussion and also wants time to think.
What this can look like
Draw two routes toward and away from a low-stakes interaction, noting their functions and costs.
Check the fit
What amount of contact would fit this moment? You may disagree with the framing, use fiction, or decide that this approach is not useful today.
A useful distinction
Awareness is information, not a demand to explain every sensation or change immediately.
Prompts for this resource
- What part of this idea makes sense to me?
- What amount of contact would fit this moment?
Conceptual background
Gestalt Therapy: An Introduction — Gary Yontef
Background on the approach only. Original exercises and wording are by More Than Therapy with AI assistance; the source does not validate or endorse these materials.