Abstract
I have coached executives and teams for more than 20 years. The Gestalt Cycle of Experience was introduced to me in 1993. As I incorporated the theory into my coaching practice, I found that it helped create common language between my clients and myself. This model has supported me as a Master Coach, while also supporting my clients to understand better how change moves through a continuum, and how resistance is present at every point.
This commentary will further explore the observations made by Stuart N. Simon in his article, “Applying Gestalt Theory to Coaching.” Simon has chosen to write about awareness and contact as two of the critical areas of the Cycle of Experience as it relates to coaching. To explore coaching as it relates to the Cycle of Experience is interesting; as a client builds energy to move through the Cycle of Experience, they also build energy to move through the Cycle of Coaching.