In classical Gestalt psychotherapy the goal is awareness. This includes greater awareness in a particular area and also greater ability for the client to bring habitual patterns of thinking, feeling and behaviour into awareness. Awareness of content and awareness of process proceed to deeper levels as the therapy progresses. Contemporary Gestalt psychotherapy focuses on the Client within a therapeutic relationship that seeks horizontality. The therapist and client speak the same language, of present centredness, which emphasises the direct experience of both therapist and client.
Complete equality is impossible since the focus is ultimately the wellbeing of the client.
The Gestalt therapist is responsible for the quality and quantity of their presence, knowledge about themselves and their client, for maintaining a non-defensive posture and for keeping their awareness and contact processes clear and matched to the client. Dialogue is central to Gestalt therapy's methodology and is a manifestation of the existential perspective on relationship. If we manipulate the client towards some therapeutic goal the client cannot be in charge of their own growth and self-support. Dialogue is based on experiencing the other person as they really are and experiencing oneself, sharing reciprocity and co-operation which in turn requires a willingness to be responsible and authentic. Gestalt is a phenomenologically oriented psychotherapy.