Encounter (psychology)

Under Encounter (English for:. Encounter ) refers to a range of psychological theories, some forms of couple and group therapy and self-awareness as well as related movements. Viktor Frankl coined the term “Encounter” .

Encounter group

Encounter Group is a technical term used in psychology and sociology . It describes a person-centered approach that focuses on mutual respect . A theoretical basis for this is the update tendency model . The encounter group is a self-awareness method .

An 'Encounter' is a group experience that is characterized by openness, honesty and directness, and which should also enable an honest confrontation with oneself. That is why the group counter is also called "Game of no Games" : a game in which no games are played.

The best-known form of encounter, Open Encounter , was developed by the Harvard psychologist Will Schutz (1925–2002) in the 1960s in California Esalen on Big Sur. The participants sit in a circle on the floor to allow mobility for body expression and affects.

Protection describes Encounter as:

“A method of human interaction based on openness and honesty, self-awareness, self-responsibility, awareness of the body, attention to feelings and an emphasis on the here-and-now. It usually takes place in groups. Encounter is therapy in that it focuses on clearing blockages in order to function better. Encounter is education and recreation insofar as it tries to create conditions that bring out personal abilities to the maximum. (Translation)"

- Will protection : Elements of Encounter

energy

A therapist directs the event to where there is “energy”, where group participants have strong affects, physical movement takes place, a request is formulated. The therapist usually works with only one or two participants, whereby the other participants can also be involved in a role play or, if there is a strong emotional involvement, can intervene spontaneously. This leads to a very intensive and unpredictable process for everyone involved, in which methods of gestalt therapy , psychodrama , primary therapy and bioenergetics are used.

authenticity

Under the premise of honest and direct exchange - Say what you mean and mean what you say! - Participants come into contact with their true selves. The expression of uncompromised authenticity is described as a liberating act and triggering joy, which is why open encounter groups were also called 'joy groups'. However, other intense affective processes are just the same, e.g. B. Involved in offensive conflicts. Principles of dynamic meditation , bonding and bioenergetics are applied. "And after hitting each other they would cry and weep, and great compassion would come out."

Hot chair

The hot seat is a gestalt therapy method in which the group first gives a participant their negative and then their positive feedback. W. Schutz emphasizes that the fear of radical honesty in the encounter groups is unfounded:

“Approaching a person with the intention of being really honest is like taking a cold shower. The idea is frightening, the first impression shocking and the result refreshing, cleansing and invigorating. "

- (translation)

Almost all rules and limits of psychotherapy are called into question in this procedure:

"The encounter group is essentially an experiment with freedom."

Encounter movement

Numerous forms of encounter movement are common worldwide , e.g. B.

integrative movements (working and value communities)
Marriage Encounter (meeting seminars for married couples and partnerships, e.g. Worldwide Marriage Encounter )
own seminars for young people (e.g. JIL )
resulting loose networks and the like.

The most important forms of therapy include Basic Encounter by Carl Rogers , Sensitivity Training in group dynamics , Open Encounter by Will Schutz , Casriel Therapy , Primal Scream Therapy . Experience-activating methods of gestalt therapy , body therapy and theater are also used in encounter groups. Centers of the Encounter movement were or are the NTL in Bethel (Maine), Esalen Institute (California) and Poona (India) Osho .

literature

Bradford, Gibb, Benne: Group Training - T-Group Theory and Laboratory Method : 1972, ISBN 3-12-901410-1
Rogers, Carl: Encounter Gruppen , 1974, ISBN 3-463-00571-9
Schutz, Will: Encounter , 1977, (Org .: Elements of Encounter , 1973), ISBN 3-921648-06-8

Web links

Wikiquote: Encounter - Quotes

Individual evidence

↑ ^a ^b ^c ^d Benaiir Wolf: Studying body psychotherapy - Draft of a university curriculum based on the model of American master’s courses; Inaugural dissertation . Marburg / Lahn 2010.
↑ ^a ^b Protection, Will. C .: Elements of Encounter - A bodymind approach . Joy Press, Big Sur, California 1973, ISBN 978-0-913662-01-4 .
↑ ^a ^b Rowan, J .: Encounter . Ed .: Association for Humanistic Psychology. Chapter 8. Alameda / Califonia 2001.
^ Osho: Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic . St. Martin's Press, New York 2000.
↑ Thomas, HF: The Game of No Game . In: Burton, A. (Ed.): The Jossey-Bass Behavioral Science Series . Encounter. USA 1969.

[:0-1] Benaiir Wolf: Studying body psychotherapy - Draft of a university curriculum based on the model of American master’s courses; Inaugural dissertation . Marburg / Lahn 2010.

[:1-2] Protection, Will. C .: Elements of Encounter - A bodymind approach . Joy Press, Big Sur, California 1973, ISBN 978-0-913662-01-4 .

[:2-3] Rowan, J .: Encounter . Ed .: Association for Humanistic Psychology. Chapter 8. Alameda / Califonia 2001.

[4] Osho: Autobiography of a Spiritually Incorrect Mystic . St. Martin's Press, New York 2000.

[5] Thomas, HF: The Game of No Game . In: Burton, A. (Ed.): The Jossey-Bass Behavioral Science Series . Encounter. USA 1969.