December 17, 2023
Gestalt Therapy: Excitement and Growth in the Human Personality by Perls, Hefferline, and Goodman (PHG) is a complicated historical document holding the richness of the novel thinking of its time and, importantly, the genius of its authors. PHG now 70 years forward is widely recognized as Gestalt therapy’s founding text. Since the first coherent presentation in 1951, practitioners have been evaluating, clarifying, redefining, and expanding upon the details of its theory and practice. It has been read, cited, criticized, and acclaimed. It has provided fertile ground for questioning ideas, learning, and impetus for new theory and practice.