The Gestalt of Multiculturalism: An Analysis of Gestalt Therapy Theory in Light of Ethnic Diversity with a Focus on Organismic Self-Regulation

In the assessment of the utility of theoretical orientations for cultural appropriateness and sensitivity, examination of the foundational theory of these orientations is often overlooked in place of an emphasis on the efficacy and effectiveness of interventions and techniques. However, as interventions are ideally borne out of strong theoretical foundations, the importance of examining the implicit values of theoretical orientations is important. Gestalt therapy was examined as an example of a theoretical approach. Gestalt therapy is described by many of its practitioners as being highly sensitive and adaptable to culturally diverse clients due to the openness and inclusiveness found in the philosophical, theoretical, and methodological expression of the orientation. The implicit values embedded within the grounding principle of organismic self-regulation were reviewed to determine if the principle exemplifies a universal process of functioning or merely a culturebound heuristic. Exploration of the ways Gestalt therapy’s philosophical foundations, theoretical attitude, and methodological style impact the implementation of organismic self-regulation in work with culturally diverse clients was also conducted. Organismic self-regulation was found to have two interconnected levels, one of which can be easily adapted to diverse clients due to the flexibility to different cultural norms and traditions that the level provides, allowing for Gestalt therapists to be able to work with theoretical consistency with culturally different clients. Degree Type Dissertation Rights Terms of use for work posted in CommonKnowledge. This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/74 Copyright and terms of use If you have downloaded this document directly from the web or from CommonKnowledge, see the “Rights” section on the previous page for the terms of use. If you have received this document through an interlibrary loan/document delivery service, the following terms of use apply: Copyright in this work is held by the author(s). You may download or print any portion of this document for personal use only, or for any use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.). Except for personal or fair use, you or your borrowing library may not reproduce, remix, republish, post, transmit, or distribute this document, or any portion thereof, without the permission of the copyright owner. [Note: If this document is licensed under a Creative Commons license (see “Rights” on the previous page) which allows broader usage rights, your use is governed by the terms of that license. ] Inquiries regarding further use of these materials should be addressed to: CommonKnowledge Rights, Pacific University Library, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116, (503) 352-7209. Email inquiries may be directed to:. copyright@pacificu.edu This dissertation is available at CommonKnowledge: http://commons.pacificu.edu/spp/74 THE GESTALT OF MULTICULTURALISM: AN ANALYSIS OF GESTALT THERAPY THEORY IN LIGHT OF ETHNIC DIVERSITY WITH A FOCUS ON ORGANISMIC SELF-REGULATION A DISSERTATION SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL PSYCHOLOGY PACIFIC UNIVERSITY HILLSBORO, OREGON BY MARK I. RECK IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY