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In Gestalt therapy, embodiment and sensory awareness are key, even in an online setting. While the screen creates a physical distance, you can still engage your body and your clients’ five senses to deepen the therapeutic experience. Here are some ways to do that:

1. Using Your Body as a Therapist

• Posture & Presence: Be aware of your posture, facial expressions, and gestures. Your presence can create a sense of safety and connection.
• Mirroring: Subtly mirror the client’s body language to enhance attunement.
• Breath Awareness: Pay attention to your breathing and invite the client to do the same. This helps regulate emotions and creates grounding.
• Intentional Movement: Use small, intentional gestures to emphasize emotions or thoughts (e.g., leaning in when they share something deep, using hands to express feelings).
• Anchoring Your Body: If you feel the session is becoming too cognitive, shift awareness to your feet on the ground or how your spine feels to stay embodied.

2. Engaging the 5 Senses

Sight (Seeing)

• Encourage visual awareness: “Notice what’s in your space right now. What catches your eye?”
• Use objects in their environment: “Pick an object around you and describe it. What do you notice?”
• Experiment with eye contact: Instead of staring at the screen, try looking at the camera directly for connection.

Hearing (Listening)

• Be mindful of tone, pace, and silence—your voice carries a lot of meaning.
• Ask the client to listen to their environment: “What sounds do you notice around you? What feelings arise?”
• Use music or humming exercises if helpful.

Touch (Feeling)

• Encourage body awareness: “What sensations do you notice in your body right now?”
• Ask them to press their feet into the ground or touch an object near them.
• Use gestural awareness: If a client clenches their fists, ask, “Can you exaggerate that? What happens when you do?”

Taste (Tasting)

• If relevant, invite them to take a sip of tea or water mindfully.
• Ask about taste memories connected to emotions or experiences.

Smell (Scent)

• Invite them to notice any smells around them.
• Suggest using essential oils or a candle as an anchor.

3. Bringing Awareness to the Online Experience

• Explore how being online feels in their body: Do they feel tense, relaxed, distant?
• Use creative techniques: Ask them to move their hands in different ways to express emotions.
• Play with screen dynamics: “What happens if you move closer or further away?”