In the years following World War II, society in the western world became increasingly individualistic. This was reflected in the prevalence of the psychological theory of humanistic and existentialism thinking during this period. Among the new forms to emerge at this time was Gestalt Therapy, developed by Fritz and Laura Perls.
What they suggested was a new approach to the traditional Freudians’ idea of the unconscious mind, focusing instead on the ways in which we view our perceptions, and our individual interpretations – hence the term “gestalt”, taken from gestalt psychology. They believed that we discover our personal truths about the world and our reality and live according to our own needs, not those of others. We must each take responsibility for controlling our own actions, and learn to adapt to changing circumstances.