Gestalt Therapy and Systemic Pedagogy Improve the Emotional Well-being of Children and Adolescents
A study by ICS and IDIAPJGol conducted at the Agramunt Primary Care Center concludes that these techniques facilitate emotional expression and the creation of healthier family environments
The pediatric primary care team in Agramunt has evaluated Gestalt therapy and systemic pedagogy in mental health consultations for children and adolescents, aiming to improve emotional well-being in this population and reduce referrals to specialized services.
According to a study conducted by Teresa Pujol Puyané, Laura Medina-Perucha, Tomàs López-Jiménez, and Anna Berenguera, researchers at the Institut d’Investigació en Atenció Primària Jordi Gol i Gurina (IDIAPJGol) and the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS), this approach in pediatric consultations provides a space for children to learn to identify and manage their emotions with the support of healthcare professionals and their families.
The study's findings, based on interviews with 42 families and 15 health and education professionals, indicate that the use of Gestalt therapy and systemic pedagogy – such as symbolic games, metaphors, and dramatizations – facilitates emotional expression and the creation of healthier family environments. Participants reported improvements in managing anxiety, irritability, and apathy in children, as well as increased family cohesion and well-being.
Comprehensive Health Approach
Health professionals involved in the study also highlighted that these techniques enable a comprehensive approach to children's health. This methodology helps avoid unnecessary medical interventions and, in some cases, reduces the need to refer patients to specialized mental health services. Implementing Gestalt therapy and systemic pedagogy in primary care supports monitoring children's mental health in a familiar and close setting.
Resource Needs
However, the project identified some challenges for integrating these practices into clinical routines, such as time and resource constraints and the need to overcome traditional approaches in professional training. The study emphasizes the importance of making this intervention model accessible to reduce potential future emotional and social issues in children.
These initial findings provide data for evaluating and designing mental health policies for children and adolescents, focusing on prevention and a comprehensive approach to emotional health in primary care settings.
Reference to the article
Pujol Puyané T, Medina-Perucha L, López-Jiménez T, Berenguera A. A qualitative exploration of Gestalt therapy and systemic pedagogy paediatric primary healthcare consultations in Agramunt (Spain). Prim Health Care Res Dev. 2024 Oct 18;25:e48. doi: 10.1017/S1463423624000379. PMID: 39419823.
