Travis Yuzik, Forward Momentum Systems LLC.
Introduction: The purpose of this capstone is to explore the phenomenon of borrowed benefit within the context of the GCM™ group Gestalt process. The term borrowed benefit refers to the process by which an individual experiences perturbation, emotional release, cognitive insight, or personal growth through witnessing another person’s GCM™ Gestalt work.
Significance: The concept of borrowed benefit speaks directly to the power and impact of a group setting in Gestalt work: healing does not happen in isolation. In those moments of authentic sharing and people speaking their truth, each person in the group’s collective consciousness contributes to the shared healing field, allowing insight to move outward beyond the client doing their personal work in the session.
Purpose: The purpose of this capstone was to examine how borrowed benefit enhances the TBAH™ and GCM™ Gestalt process in a group setting. This capstone seeks to highlight and deepen understanding of how observing another’s Gestalt work can transform the observer, providing evidence that each member of a group can experience understanding and healing in a GCM™ group Gestalt process.
Setting and Participants: This capstone was conducted within the Forward Momentum Systems Weekly Gestalt group. Ten participants attended sessions lasting between 2.75 and 3.5 hours. Each weekly session took place in a supportive and confidential circle format, with one participant engaging directly in a Gestalt process while others held space and self-awareness of what they were feeling and experiencing inside of themselves.
Capstone Description/Process: Feedback received from all participants was documented in the weekly GCM™ group sessions by asking the question, “How many of you here received a new insight, understanding, or borrowed benefit having been present for this piece of work?” The borrowed benefit question and feedback led to members of the group having a realization that they had new insights and/or a piece of work they wanted to perform directly with me in the group setting.
Capstone Results / Impact: It was demonstrated that in a group setting, clients who were present and in contact during the Gestalt work of a separate individual were able to experience the benefit of others’ work. Borrowed benefit amplifies the capacity for participants in understanding and processing unfinished business.
Capstone Evaluation: Participants reported that their personal growth often came not from their own individual pieces of work but from witnessing the work of others. Being intentional about asking the “borrowed benefit” question after each piece of work deepened my understanding of group Gestalt dynamics and my trust in the TBAH Gestalt process.
Future Directions: Moving forward, I intend to integrate and refine the asking of the borrowed benefit question intentionally into my Gestalt coaching practice. I plan to create reflective prompts for participants who are not “in the chair,” or “doing the piece of work”, helping all people present in the group to process their own emotions and insights as they witness others’ work.
Acknowledgments: I wish to express heartfelt gratitude to my mentor and instructor, Melisa Pearce, whose teachings on “borrowed benefit”, somatics, contact, being present, deep listening, and the powerful field of awareness inspired this capstone. I am deeply thankful for my fellow TBAH™ cohort members, who allowed me to be present for their individual pieces of work, whose courage and vulnerability made my personal experience around borrowed benefit possible.
References:
Pearce, M. (2012). Equine Gestalt Coaching Method Manual. Touched By a Horse Publications.
Perls, F., Hefferline, R., & Goodman, P. (1951). Gestalt Therapy: Excitement and Growth in the Human Personality. Julian Press.
Van Der Kolk, Bessel (2015). The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Books