Gestalt-Terapia de curta duração online em experiências de isolamento social: um estudo baseado na pesquisa-ação

Abstract

The present study proposes to evaluate the practice of online psychological care of gestalt orientation, through the research-action cycle, for issues of social isolation. It started with the hypothesis that the gestalt clinic in the online modality would bring positive effects to people who experienced social isolation due to Covid-19 and observed emotional and psychological effects resulting from this experience. The specific objectives were formulated to identify the specifics of the virtual gestalt clinic for people in social isolation; improve an online Gestalt-therapy practice with people in social isolation and understand experiences of social isolation from the perspective of Gestalt-therapy. The accepted methodological strategy was action research, which comprises a cycle of problem identification, solution planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of its effectiveness. The theoretical framework adopted was gestalt therapy, which permeated the elaboration of the three articles structured from the findings. The first article consists of organizing an action research model for issues of social isolation. The second article discusses gestalt interventions aimed at short-term online clinical practice, mapping the participant's movements in the therapeutic process. In the third article we outline an understanding of the experience of social isolation and short-term online gestalt-therapy effects. The intervention in an online psychological care model was essentially the source for data collection that took place between 2020 and 2021. The results were organized by presenting a mapping of the participant's movements in the trerapeutic process and identifying gestalt interventions aimed at short-term online clinical practice . We draw an understanding of the experience of social isolation, the experience of online consultations and the short-term gestalt-therapy effects online. Based on the field diary and audio records of the interviews, the content analysis of the findings pointed to the importance of a welcoming attitude, admitting expansion of the forms of contact, openness, presence, inclusion, authenticity and availability to the client are elements to be highlighted in the therapist's posture, which facilitate the therapeutic link in the online setting. We identified not only the participants' movements during the intervention, but also adjustment styles that could influence the experience of social isolation. We evidenced that people who were in social isolation experienced a change in routine that intensified or initiated initial emotional reactions such as fear, sadness, increased stress and loneliness. The effects of the intervention indicate movements of expansion of perception, development and growth, autonomy and self-support, reduction of suffering and changes in the flow of experience. Among the interventions that facilitated such results, it is possible to mention the application of awareness, heterosupport, reception, validation of feelings and facilitating the integration of the experience. Crisis management interventions were necessary in cases where physical symptoms showed up as a figure. Therefore, we consider from a technical perspective that short-term Gestalt therapy in the online modality proves to be efficient in dealing with issues of social isolation, emphasizing that social, political and economic issues influence the results obtained.