Karen Horney: trailblazer and Gestalt inspiration

This paper considers the role of Karen Horney’s work in bridging the gap between classical psychoanalytic theory and later humanistic psychotherapy theories, in particular Gestalt. The main themes of Karen Horney’s work, including the treatment of women in psychoanalytic theory, the role of culture and relationships in child development and in psychotherapy, and the emphasis on human potential and selfactualisation, are explored. The contributions of her writing to the clinical and theoretical development of Gestalt therapy are highlighted and remaining differences noted. This overview suggests that Karen Horney is an important Gestalt ancestor, whose work has often been overlooked, or paid only cursory attention as another name on a list. Her emphasis on experience-near, present-focused therapy that rejected drives and libidinal theory, blazed a trail for the early Gestaltists to follow. Keywords Karen Horney, humanistic thought, Gestalt, self-actualisation, here-and-now