What is meant by “aggression” in Gestalt therapy?
In Gestalt therapy, the term “aggression” does not refer to violent behavior, but rather to what one might also call “self-assertion” or “pro-activity.” As the human organism responds to its own needs, and regulates its responses in order to meet or satisfy them, it initiates contact with the environment; Perls calls this “aggression.” It is simply that creative energy necessary for getting from the environment the physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social nourishment required for healthy living.
