Case: CASE STUDY TEMPLATE Gestalt Therapy Maria has experienced a series of disappointments and traumas in the last few years. She has survived an abusive relationship and the abandonment of herself and her children by her husband, she has endured estrangement and disapproval from her family of origin, and she is struggling to parent her children alone. She does not feel she is receiving any support from her family or her employer, and it is clear that she feels alone and hopeless. In other words, she feels stuck and is at an impasse in her life. Maria has also introjected and internalized toxic material from her environment through the negativity of her family and other important individuals in her life. Therefore, she has not been able to differentiate herself from significant others' views or goals for her. This has led to confluence, which has contributed to her problems. In addition, Maria is not currently experiencing any support through a genuine, trusting relationship, and thus her growth has been hindered and she has experienced a negative view of self. Consequently, she has become out of sync with herself, her culture, and her view of the world, and she has lost contact with important others and has withdrawn from her children, her friends, her family, and even herself. 1. How did the symptoms (psychopathology) of this person originate based on Gestalt therapy? (Note: Review the slides on "Theory of Psychopathology") 2. What can be said about "contact" or "lack of contact" in the case of Maria? (Note: Review the slides on "Contact") 3. Which Gestalt techniques can help the client change and how? (Note: Review the slides on "Gestalt: Theory of Change" and "Gestalt Therapy: Techniques") 4. Why would Gestalt Therapy be appropriate for this client?