<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">

<p>This paper presents and contextualizes the construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing (ARK), as the intuitive experience of the therapist that emerges from the phenomenological field created in a meeting between therapist and client. The concept of isomorphism is considered as an epistemological turning point and a possible bridge connecting Gestalt therapy, Gestalt theory and Neurosciences. An example of the clinical consequences of this change of perspective is given. Moreover, a validation pilot study has shown that ARK is described by three factors: empathy, resonance and bodily awareness. The ARK can be defined as a three-dimensional construct that supports the positive use of the therapist’s perception in terms of aesthetic knowing of the phenomenological field of the therapeutic situation. The construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing can be considered a phenomenological, aesthetic and field-oriented contribution to psychotherapy training, supervision and research.</p>
</abstract>

This paper presents and contextualizes the construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing (ARK), as the intuitive experience of the therapist that emerges from the phenomenological field created in a meeting between therapist and client. The concept of isomorphism is considered as an epistemological turning point and a possible bridge connecting Gestalt therapy, Gestalt theory and Neurosciences. An example of the clinical consequences of this change of perspective is given. Moreover, a validation pilot study has shown that ARK is described by three factors: empathy, resonance and bodily awareness. The ARK can be defined as a three-dimensional construct that supports the positive use of the therapist’s perception in terms of aesthetic knowing of the phenomenological field of the therapeutic situation. The construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing can be considered a phenomenological, aesthetic and field-oriented contribution to psychotherapy training, supervision and research.

The construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing: a scale to describe the perceptive capacity of psychotherapists in therapeutic situations

Gestalt Theory

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

This paper presents and contextualizes the construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing (ARK), as the intuitive experience of the therapist that emerges from the...

The construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing: a scale to describe the perceptive capacity of psychotherapists in therapeutic situations

Published Online: Aug 30, 2023

Page range: 139 - 152

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gth-2023-0004

Keywords
aesthetic relational knowing, gestalt, field, phenomenology, isomorphism

© 2023 Margherita Spagnuolo Lobb, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

The construct of Aesthetic Relational Knowing: a scale to describe the perceptive capacity of psychotherapists in therapeutic situations

Published Online: Aug 30, 2023

Page range: 139 - 152

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/gth-2023-0004

Keywordsaesthetic relational knowing, gestalt, field, phenomenology, isomorphism

© 2023 Margherita Spagnuolo Lobb, published by Sciendo

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

Keywords
aesthetic relational knowing, gestalt, field, phenomenology, isomorphism