Gestalt Therapy Applied: A Case Study with an Inpatient Diagnosed with Substance Use and Bipolar Disorders

The aim of the present paper is to open the discourse regarding the unmet needs of specific patients, especially those with substance use disorder and/or personality disorder where 'multimorbidities', and/or 'overdiagnosis' and/or 'diagnosis overlap' are frequent. An additional aim is to review the main therapeutic purpose and concepts of Gestalt therapy which might be appropriate in the treatment of these patients often characterized by their difficulties in being aware and in contact in the 'here and now'.

I first start with an overview of Gestalt therapy concepts. Then, I illustrate Gestalt's 'here and now' and awareness concepts applied during 18 sessions with an inpatient diagnosed with substance use and bipolar disorders. In addition, the patient had to face an open criminal charge, was regarded as having an antisocial personality disorder and argued suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

After this two-month therapy period, the patient entered for the first time a daily rehabilitation program in the community, where he was doing well (this after a few prior hospitalizations). The awareness development in the 'here and now' through which different contact styles and cycles of experiences are experienced is a process that allowed the patient to start experiencing contact with himself, his true needs and his environment. This contributed to his well-being improvement, led and supported his rehabilitation and reinsertion within the society and decrease his relapses, either with drugs or criminal activities. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

People with substance use disorder (where 'multimorbidities', 'overdiagnosis' or 'diagnosis overlap' are frequent), people with personality disorder(s) or people who have difficulties in defining what really disturbs them are the same people who could benefit of GT encouraging awareness and contact development in the 'here and now'. Gestalt therapy should not be regarded as a practitioner's toolbox but as a therapeutic process allowing awareness and I-boundaries development in the 'here and now' through authentic and genuine relationships. The therapist's awareness and contact with themselves and their environment are reflected in the therapist's relaxed but awake and aware state of mind as well as their wise, spontaneous and mindful approach.