Gestalt Therapy is an experiential and client-centered therapy that uses creative and experiential techniques to enhance awareness, freedom, and self-direction. The word gestalt comes from the German word meaning shape or form, and it references the character or essence (wholeness) of something.
Gestalt therapy can help clients with issues such as anxiety, depression, self-esteem, relationship difficulties, and even physical ones like migraine headaches, ulcerative colitis, and back spasms. Therapists experiment with dream work, guided fantasy, role-playing, confrontation, and other techniques to help bring past and current struggles to life in the therapeutic setting.
The goal for the client is to become more aware of themself and their senses, to take responsibility for themself, accept the consequences of their behaviour, and learn to satisfy their own needs while still respecting the needs of others.