Abstract

MATTAR, Cristine Monteiro. Three perspectives in children's psychotherapy: existential, non-directive and Gestalt-therapy. Contextos Clínic [online]. 2010, vol.3, n.2, pp. 76-87. ISSN 1983-3482.

This article presents three methodological perspectives in children's psychotherapy: existential psychology, according to Kierkegaard's refl ections; the non-directive proposition, of Rogerian inspiration and Gestalt-therapy's perspective. The three perspectives show some proximity regarding the psychotherapist's atitudes and the option for the phenomenological method, which aims at comprehending the sense of playing and other of the child's expressions. They differ, however, in relation to the concept of men that will ground their practices, since existential psychology disagrees that there is in men a tendency to totality or a force always in search of balance, notions which are pertinent to the other two. Existential psychology will be guided by a strategy of patient and indirect approach, characterizing the aid relationship defined by Kierkegaard, which allows clear approximation between philosophy and clinical psychology. In Axline's work about ludotherapy, eight atitudes are highlighted as essential for the children's psychotherapist's performance. The suspension of all judgment and the unconditional acceptance of the child's way of being, although present, sustain a non-directive practice, which makes the expression of feelings easier. Gestalt-therapy, on its turn, proposes varied techniques and at itudes also with the objective of making self-expression of the feelings experienced by the child easier, developing an awareness of him/herself and the world. Therefore, this study seeks to discuss the contributions of these three perspectives to those who intend to perform in the psychotherapy practice with children.

Keywords : children's psychotherapy; humanist psychology; existential-phenomenological psychology; Gestalt-therapy.

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