ABSTRACT
Different ways of diminishing or adjusting contact with our environment have been identified by Perls (1947) and PHG (1951) and expanded upon by, amongst others, Polster and Polster (1973), Zinker (1977) and Clarkson (1989). Originally described as resistances by Perls and PHG, these processes, which occur at the contact boundary, have subsequently journeyed through many different collective terms including: resistances, moderations, modifications, interruptions and disturbances. This can lead to confusion for those new to gestalt. In essence, they are creative adjustments that originally formed in relation to our situation at the time as the best possible way of managing that situation at that time. They are neither unilaterally positive nor negative but always need to be viewed in the context of the individual’s current situation. We also need to be mindful that none of these processes function in isolation, all interrelate. One way of adjusting contact with our environment will affect all other ways of adjusting contact and our environment will adjust to us. For example, if I have a hostile way of addressing others I will influence the ways others address me.
