The here and now is a focus in gestalt therapy and it is the idea that only the here and now exist. This does not negate the past or the future as the past and the future also both exist within the present moment.
When you experience anxiety or shame over past events these experiences are happening within the present, within the here and now. When we experience fear of future events, our fear is experienced within the present moment. This is why we focus on the here and now in gestalt therapy, this doesn’t mean we don’t explore our rich pasts, life stories and histories but we do address these in the present moment.
So what does this look like in therapy? This means even when we are exploring past events or future concerns, attention is drawn to what is happening in the present moment, what bodily sensations, thoughts, emotions or experiences are happening, this can help to deepen our awareness of our patterns, reactions and experiences.
Here and now in Gestalt therapy goes beyond being present or mindfulness, it becomes an opportunity which is rare in our everyday lives for us to really drop into our bodies and bring awareness to our experiences. It can help us rewrite existing patterns, complete old cycles and become creative with our reactions to new situations. It is also a collaborative process that happens in the therapeutic space, practising deep presence in that moment with someone else can help with relationships outside of the therapy room.