Gestalt
Gestalt therapy and Integral Deep Listening both have strong roots in the work of JL Moreno, creator of psychodrama, sociometry, and many of the interactive processes associated with the “T-groups” and “sensitivity trainings” of the ’60’s and ’70’s. While IDL may superficially resemble gestalt therapy, in that they are both role-playing procedures, gestalt has tended to be used for emotional catharsis and the reintegration of disowned pieces of one’s shadow. IDL tends to use a much more structured approach to access and transform self-aspects and to access transformational life potentials. Gestalt is extremely versatile and can be used in ways that are similar to IDL. In fact, some gestalt therapists have incorporated IDL and called it gestalt therapy. We have no objections to such appropriations of IDL. In fact we encourage our students to invisibly weave it into whatever work they are already doing. The goal is not to be unique or special, particularly since IDL itself is comprised of methods and ideas that predate it, but to contribute to the healing, balancing, and transformation of life.