ABSTRACT
We achieve contact with our environment through what we term in gestalt as contact functions. In essence, they describe the five senses together with how we move and hold ourselves in relation to our world. Without effective contact choiceful awareness is not possible. We can never be out of contact completely. There are degrees of contact and avoidance of contact and these can only be assessed in the context of the situation. Client and therapist may moderate their contact more in an initial session, as there is likely to be increased anxiety in meeting the unfamiliar.
