What does the Gestalt 'Reversal Technique' entail?

• A. The client is asked to do the opposite of their behavior.
• B. The client repeats the same behavior to reinforce patterns.
• C. The client analyzes childhood memories.
• D. The client sets goals for future behavior.

Answer: (A)

The main idea here is using an experiential, here-and-now intervention to bring awareness to automatic patterns. In the Gestalt reversal technique, the client is invited to do the opposite of their typical or habitual response in the present moment. This counteraction creates a kind of tension that exposes what they’re resisting, how their body and feelings react, and what the situation means to them. By acting against the grain of their usual pattern, the client can directly experience the energy behind the behavior and gain new insight into their needs and boundaries. This approach aligns with the Gestalt emphasis on awareness, contact, and self-regulation in the present moment.

This isn’t about digging into childhood memories, nor simply repeating the same behavior to reinforce a pattern, nor setting goals for the future. It’s about shifting present behavior to reveal underlying processes and increase contact with the here and now.