On the Question of Asking Questions
In Gestalt Therapy, “questions” and “interpretations” generally are discouraged. Because the Gestalt Therapy regards “asking questions” frequently requests a person to explain himself, to defend himself or to manipulate others. Therefore, “why questions” are avoided, and Gestalt therapy asserts itself as noninterpretative that avoids any kind of explanation of behavior. “Interpretation” is considered as a “psychoanalysis game”. And even when it is valid, leads only to intellectual insight rather than behavior change. Taking both theoretical and empirical viewpoints, this article discusses the issues of when to “ask why” and/or “make interpretations”. It is argued that “asking questions” and “making interpretations” under some circumstances may have significant clinical effects, and the refore, under these circumstances, can be recommended as useful therapeutic techniques.