Although the original edition of this volume appeared over 14 years ago, it has lost none of its usefulness and topicality. In the theory section it describes the most important humanistic, social and ethical tenets used in counselling, supervision and therapy to ensure a holistic view of the client: "Creative and cultural therapy not only strive [...] to obtain or maintain mental health, they also endeavour to secure and cultivate human relationships and the development of respect for all living beings and objects on earth."The basics of classical and integrative, creative gestalt therapy have been expanded to include cultural educative methods and expressive media. This textbook also contains a number of practical exercises that can be applied in various contexts depending on the job experience of the client. The theory section is coherently and clearly written without ignoring the deep intellectual background. The practical section, on the other hand, emphasises the usability and effectiveness of the exercises presented. In this volume, the original intention of gestalt therapy, namely, to empower people involved in a therapeutic process to become self-reliant, independent, and responsible persons, is combined with modern scientific results. It is a basic textbook, a coursebook and a handbook on the role of gestalt therapy in our knowledge, our behaviour and our feelings.

Kurt F. Richter (19432009), Diplom-Psychologe, Psychologischer Psychotherapeut, Supervisor und Coach, war 35 Jahre lang Dozent und Leiter des Fachbereichs »Psychotherapie und Beratung« an der Akademie Remscheid sowie Gründer und Leiter des Remscheider Instituts für Kompetenzentwicklung und Coaching (Rike).

Aktualisiert und ergänzt von Anke Kirchhof-Knoch.