Gestalt therapy is grounded in phenomenological awareness, the immediacy of lived experience, and the relational co-construction of meaning. Yet, despite its clinical depth and conceptual richness, Gestalt therapy has historically struggled to find its place in the dominant research discourse within psychotherapy.

In the evolving field of psychotherapy, Gestalt therapy stands out for its attention to process, presence, and the relational field. As noted by Béja, Francesetti, Roubal, and Reck in the British Gestalt Journal (2018), this has placed the modality at risk of marginalisation, particularly in healthcare systems increasingly guided by evidence-based protocols.

This is not due to a lack of validity in the approach itself, but rather a mismatch between the epistemological foundations of Gestalt and the methodological demands of mainstream empirical frameworks. Nonetheless, in a context where therapeutic modalities are increasingly required to demonstrate efficacy and accountability, engaging with research is no longer optional — it is necessary.

Importantly, this engagement does not require abandoning the principles of Gestalt. On the contrary, it invites us to expand our understanding of what research can be. Practice-based research, grounded in the therapist’s experience and reflexivity, aligns closely with the Gestalt tradition. It prioritises observation over prescription, context over generalisation, and process over fixed outcomes.

In this view, research is not something external to therapy. It emerges from within the work: from the therapist’s capacity to reflect on her interventions, the evolving dynamics of the therapeutic field, and the nuanced shifts that mark change. It is a form of disciplined curiosity that deepens practice while gradually building a collective body of knowledge.

To support such a research culture, therapists increasingly turn to tools that help systematise their reflections and track clinical process over time. Digital platforms, such as Evinotes, can serve as practical aids in this regard, enabling therapists to document their work in a way that remains congruent with Gestalt values while supporting analysis, supervision, or case-based inquiry.

The point is not to quantify what cannot be quantified, but to articulate and examine what we already know experientially. Through reflective documentation and shared dialogue, Gestalt therapy can continue to grow, not by mimicking other modalities, but by offering its own rigorous and relational way of seeing.

Recommended reading:

Béja, V., Francesetti, G., Roubal, J., & Reck, M. (2018). Out of the Paris Conference: a step into exploring practice-based research in Gestalt therapy. British Gestalt Journal, 27(1), 7–13.