Creative license

Over half a century has passed since Perls, Hefferline and Goodman published their influential work, and this volume turns attention to creativity within Gestalt therapy. Its origins lie in March 2001 in Sicily, at the first European Conference of Gestalt Therapy Writers, held by the European Association for Gestalt Therapy. There, one of the editors presented a paper on art and creativity in Gestalt practice. The other editor wanted to bring together colleagues from many countries to contribute to a serious collection on the subject.

The editors aimed to extend international professional dialogue and to draw together the reflections of experienced practitioners on different facets of creativity. They were also interested in how careful thinking about one's own clinical work can suggest effective interventions, and how discussing hands-on experience can in turn reshape theory.

The book is intended as an open forum on the concept of creativity in Gestalt therapy, bringing together contributions that connect theory and clinical practice.