(ZENIT News / Madrid, 03.02.2025).- A landmark court ruling in Spain has reaffirmed that Gestalt Therapy lacks scientific validity and operates in ways that resemble sectarian structures. The decision, handed down in 2025, dismissed a lawsuit filed by the Spanish Association of Gestalt Therapy (AETG) against researcher Luis Santamaría and his co-authors, journalist Ricardo Mariscal and psychologist Carlos Sanz. The lawsuit, which sought financial compensation and a retraction of their critical report on Gestalt Therapy, instead resulted in the association being ordered to pay court costs.
The ruling follows years of legal battles after Santamaría and his colleagues published a 2022 report with the Institute Salud Sin Bulos, in which they argued that Gestalt Therapy is not only ineffective but also financially and psychologically harmful to those who undergo it. In an interview with “Alfa y Omega”, Santamaría described the court’s decision as a victory for public interest, emphasizing that “the judge recognized that this is a matter of public concern, making freedom of information take precedence over the right to honor.”
Gestalt Therapy: A Patchwork of Unverified Ideas
One of the core criticisms presented by Santamaría is that Gestalt Therapy is practiced without the necessary psychological training. The Spanish Association of Gestalt Therapy, he pointed out, consists of individuals who simply complete specific courses—none of which require a background in psychology. He described the approach as a mix of psychoanalysis, Eastern spiritual traditions, and vague self-help philosophies, lacking any solid foundation in scientific research.
The association’s aggressive legal response raised further concerns. “A serious professional organization would have engaged in debate, discussion, and clarification of positions,” Santamaría argued. Instead, the association sought to suppress criticism by demanding the removal of the report and a public retraction, along with a financial compensation of 57,000 euros. The court’s ruling, however, rejected their claims and reinforced the importance of exposing pseudoscientific practices.
Allegations of Psychological and Physical Harm
Perhaps the most disturbing revelations from the case came from witness testimonies, which highlighted the extreme and coercive nature of some Gestalt Therapy practices. During the trial, former members recounted their experiences within groups that exhibited sect-like behaviors, including psychological pressure, financial exploitation, and even physical harm.
One particularly harrowing case involved a man who suffered severe health consequences due to Gestalt Therapy’s disregard for medical science. Under the influence of his therapist, he abandoned essential medical treatments, which ultimately led to vision loss in one eye and serious cardiac issues. It was only when he found himself in a life-threatening emergency that he decided to leave the group.
According to Santamaría, these cases are not isolated incidents. He warned that many Gestalt Therapy practitioners operate outside regulatory oversight, often blending their methods with other alternative healing practices associated with the New Age movement. His book, «La Nueva Era en el Siglo XXI», explores how these unregulated therapies attract vulnerable individuals, leading to long-term psychological and financial dependency.
The Risk of Institutional Legitimization
One of the most troubling aspects of the Gestalt Therapy phenomenon, Santamaría noted, is its creeping legitimization within academic institutions. Some public and private universities have begun incorporating Gestalt principles into psychology programs, lending an appearance of credibility to what is, at its core, an unproven practice.
More concerning still is the fact that some licensed psychologists have integrated elements of Gestalt Therapy into their professional work, often without informing clients of the lack of scientific support for these methods. This, Santamaría stressed, represents a violation of informed consent, as patients are led to believe they are receiving evidence-based treatment when, in reality, they are not.
A Broader Battle Against Pseudoscience
The legal victory against the Spanish Association of Gestalt Therapy is part of a larger struggle against pseudoscientific practices masquerading as legitimate psychological treatment. The use of litigation as a tool to silence critics, Santamaría pointed out, is a well-documented strategy employed by groups with sectarian tendencies. “Overwhelming critics with legal battles is a common tactic,” he said, adding that many experts have been intimidated into silence.
Fortunately, in this case, the strategy failed. Santamaría credits the strong legal defense led by Carlos Bardavío and the support of professional psychology organizations across Europe, which imm ediately rallied behind him and his co-authors.
However, the fight is far from over. Santamaría warns that Gestalt Therapy, like many other pseudoscientific approaches, thrives in environments where skepticism is low, regulation is weak, and people are searching for meaning and healing outside traditional medicine. The danger, he argues, is not just that it is ineffective, but that its very foundations carry inherent risks—risks that have already led to serious harm.
With this court ruling, Spain has taken a firm stance against the spread of pseudoscientific practices, setting a precedent for future cases. But for researchers like Santamaría, the real victory will come when awareness, regulation, and critical thinking prevail over dangerous therapies that exploit those in need.
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