This exploratory research addressed the challenge of improving consulting psychologists' ability to add value to their clients in a complex world, in which it is increasingly difficult to differentiate and understand domain phenomena and to promote healthy growth and development in individuals, groups and organisations. To solve this problem, a Gestalt Approach, comprising the String Model and a congruent methodological framework, was developed using analogies and metaphors from the physical sciences. The Gestalt Approach was applied at the individual, group and organisational levels. The String Model promoted excitement and interest in the client systems and desedimented preconceptions and patterns of thinking, facilitating the destruction of existing figures, and the differentiation and exploration of new figures from background phenomena. The methodological framework promoted experimentation and dialogue in an environment conducive to exploration and promoted contact with foreground phenomena. At the individual level, awareness was heightened of the role and development of a historically disadvantaged South African. The individual and the position for which he was being developed were described in terms of the String Model, creating insights which were not in the client system before. A clear, holistic picture of the individual's developmental areas emerged. The approach facilitated contact between the individual and key roleplayers who must create an enabling environment and provide resources conducive to individual development. At the group level, the String Model proved useful in assisting a Board of Directors to clearly differentiate the Board from other groups in the client system. Discussion amongst the participants, who had diverse perspectives, promoted a common understanding of the Board's structure and functioning. Participants were able to differentiate the current dysfunctional status of the Board from the ideal in String Model terms and develop a joint plan to make the Board a healthier entity. At the organisational level, the model according to which a gold mine was structured and managed, was changed due to insights engendered by the Gestalt Approach. The String Model proved to be useful in conceptualising the mine as a whole, with the various sub-systems thereof inextricably related. Changes were made that promote interaction, communication, integration and performance. / Industrial Psychology / D. Comm. (Industrial Psychology)

The goal of this paper will be to further explore the use of Gestalt therapy in the Parent-Education Program and to find a way in which its effectiveness in freeing parents of emotional barriers to growth can be evaluated. Our specific objectives will, therefore be to (1) review the literature and present our own assumptions on parental responses to having a handicapped child, (2) explore the basis of Gestalt therapy and relate it to the needs of parents who have handicapped children. (3) describe the setting in which the Parent-Education Program and its Gestalt component takes place, and (4) suggest the use of the Personal Orientation Inventory (POI) as an appropriate tool for future use in evaluating the effectiveness of the Gestalt component of this program.

Thesis (D. Phil.) (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 254-260). Mode of access: World Wide Web.

No description available.

Thesis (D.Phil. (Social Work))--University of Pretoria, 2006. / Includes summary in Afrikaans and English. Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (MA(Social Work))-Universiteit van Pretoria, 2006. / Abstract in English and Afrikaans. Includes bibliographical references. Available on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

No abstract available / Social Work / M. Diac. (Play Therapy)

The aim of this study was to develop a Gestalt programme for parents of toddlers to empower them to contribute to the optimal development of their toddlers. Intervention research (Thomas & Rothman) as phase model was used as method for this study. During the first phase the managers or heads of three day-care centres were used to gain access to parents of toddlers. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire with the objective to explore their attitude towards aspects such as communication with their toddlers, emotions of their toddlers and their disciplinary style. The questionnaire was also used to determine their needs with regard to the education of their toddlers. During the second phase a literature study was undertaken to explore the development of the toddler and the dynamics of the Gestalt approach. The Gestalt approach was used as cornerstone for the programme because of its holistic approach to the interaction between persons and the environment on all levels. This study concludes at Phase 4 by designing a prototype Gestalt programme for parents of toddlers. / Social Work / M. Diac (Play Therapy)

This exploratory research addressed the challenge of improving consulting psychologists' ability to add value to their clients in a complex world, in which it is increasingly difficult to differentiate and understand domain phenomena and to promote healthy growth and development in individuals, groups and organisations. To solve this problem, a Gestalt Approach, comprising the String Model and a congruent methodological framework, was developed using analogies and metaphors from the physical sciences. The Gestalt Approach was applied at the individual, group and organisational levels. The String Model promoted excitement and interest in the client systems and desedimented preconceptions and patterns of thinking, facilitating the destruction of existing figures, and the differentiation and exploration of new figures from background phenomena. The methodological framework promoted experimentation and dialogue in an environment conducive to exploration and promoted contact with foreground phenomena. At the individual level, awareness was heightened of the role and development of a historically disadvantaged South African. The individual and the position for which he was being developed were described in terms of the String Model, creating insights which were not in the client system before. A clear, holistic picture of the individual's developmental areas emerged. The approach facilitated contact between the individual and key roleplayers who must create an enabling environment and provide resources conducive to individual development. At the group level, the String Model proved useful in assisting a Board of Directors to clearly differentiate the Board from other groups in the client system. Discussion amongst the participants, who had diverse perspectives, promoted a common understanding of the Board's structure and functioning. Participants were able to differentiate the current dysfunctional status of the Board from the ideal in String Model terms and develop a joint plan to make the Board a healthier entity. At the organisational level, the model according to which a gold mine was structured and managed, was changed due to insights engendered by the Gestalt Approach. The String Model proved to be useful in conceptualising the mine as a whole, with the various sub-systems thereof inextricably related. Changes were made that promote interaction, communication, integration and performance. / Industrial Psychology / D. Comm. (Industrial Psychology)

Moenie oplaai nie - ons speel hiermeeThis study focuses on using sand play as play medium within the framework of gestalt therapy. The researcher explored the effectiveness of this medium with the aim to assist children in their toddler phase, to vent their experiences of family violence and to furthermore teach them coping skills. During the research process, the researcher involved three toddlers who are victims of family violence, in therapeutic sessions. Sand play was utilized as play medium during these sessions. As theoretical basis for the research, aspects of the phenomenon of family violence, the emotional impact of family violence on the child (specifically the toddler), the impact of family violence on the behavioural characteristics and developmental skills of the toddler, the theoretical principles and process of gestalt therapy, the therapeutic process with the toddler as victim of family violence as well as the use of sand play as play medium, were investigated. The researcher used applied research for this study and trusts that the findings regarding the use of sand play, will improve service delivery in the field of social work, with toddler victims of family violence. / Dissertation (MSD (Play Therapy))--University of Pretoria, 2005. / Social Work and Criminology / Unrestricted