UTILIZATION OF SELECTED GESTALTIC IDEAS AND PRINCIPLES IN BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC
UTILIZATION OF SELECTED GESTALTIC IDEAS AND PRINCIPLES IN BEREAVEMENT COUNSELLING IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID 19 PANDEMIC
Godfrey Ngeno Ph.D - Moi University, Kenya
ABSTRACT
Covid 19 pandemic has brought up many challenges and opportunities since its outbreak in Wuhan, China the last quarter of 2019, chief among the challenges has been handling the many deaths arising from the disease. For instance, in Kenya close to 5000 people have succumbed to the disease based on the statistics from the ministry of Health. The situation in many African countries has been worsening every day despite the many interventions and health guidelines, the pandemic continues to claim lives Many developing countries are ill equipped in terms of Resources and qualified personnel to treat, stop transmissions and mitigate its impacts while the support from more developed nations such America, United Kingdom among others have been dwindling over time hence Covid 19 continue to contribute to many deaths in African continent. The purpose of this study is to elaborate the benefits of Gestalt therapy in order to support families going through bereavement occasioned by Covid19 disease and other related ailments in Africa and specifically in Kenya. Gestalt theory was originated by Fredrick perls (1893-1970). The foundation of this theory is that people must be understood in their whole contextual environment. The paper explores the ideas and principles embedded in this therapy such as living currently, personal responsibility, awareness, holism, figure and ground among many. Additionally, the study seeks to determine the counselor’s role which has been ignored in this situation, ethical and legal issues as well as relevant techniques. It has background in content analysis of related literature and private practice experiences spanning over 15 years. The study findings conclude with a suggestion on expanding the scope in the bereavement psychotherapy since what is practiced presently in many communities is more of spiritual related.
