This episode of The Gestalt Get Together explores the origins and applications of the term "Gestalt" in psychodynamics, design, and language processing. Host Corinne Smoos delves into the historical roots of Gestalt theory, tracing its development from German psychodynamics in the late 1800s to its current relevance in speech therapy, particularly for Gestalt language processors (GLPs). The episode discusses key Gestalt principles such as similarity, proximity, closure, continuity, figure-ground, and Prägnanz, highlighting how these principles influence perception, learning, and communication. Corinne also examines how these concepts apply to speech therapy, particularly in working with neurodivergent children, and provides practical strategies for leveraging Gestalt principles in clinical practice.

Three Key Questions Students Will Learn:

• How do Gestalt principles shape human perception and influence language processing?
• In what ways do Gestalt language processors interpret and interact with linguistic and visual stimuli differently from analytic processors?
• How can speech-language pathologists apply Gestalt principles to create more effective therapeutic environments and interventions?

Earn 0.1 ASHA CEU for this episode with Speech Therapy PD: https://www.speechtherapypd.com/course?name=So-What-is-a-Gestalt

About the host: Corinne Zmoos, M.S. CCC-SLP, is a musical speech-language pathologist in Baltimore, Maryland. Her private practice, Messy Happy Music Lab, specializes in neurodivergent language acquisition, musical language therapy, Gestalt Processing, and AAC. As a neurodivergent individual, Corinne deeply understands how music lights up the brains of nontraditional learners and facilitates progress rooted in joy rather than compliance. Corinne presents nationally and internationally her framework for music theory as a critical element and intervention consideration in Gestalt Language Processing. Corinne’s current areas of qualitative inquiry are auditory-motor rhythmic cueing, musical syntax as a vehicle for linguistic syntax, and timbre-experience matching.

Mentioned in this episode:

School of Speech is Back!!

Season 2 of School of Speech has arrived! Every host Carolyn Dolby every Monday morning as she sits down with practicing SLPs, academic researchers, and leading experts to talk about all aspects of school-based speech-language pathology. Carolyn and her guests explore everyday topics, tackle tough situations, and share valuable insights to support school therapists in their daily practice. Find School of Speech on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and other podcast platforms.