Gestalt therapy is rooted in the European tradition of psychotherapy. Unlike other approaches, its core concepts are based on the dialectic nature of human life. It deals with conflicts, polarities; it focuses on the interrelationship between awareness and energy, the self and its environment as a whole and its parts. Gestalt examines psychological problems in this context. The function of the counsellor is to expose the client to this conflict, thus enhance awareness and provide means to resolve the conflict.
Thus Gestalt therapy starts with the 'here and now', that is forcing the client to take responsibility for his or her thoughts, feelings and behaviours. This process then leads to increased tension in the client about his or her perceptions of his or her interpersonal relationships. For Gestalt therapy, this is a reflection of internal tensions, conflicts. The sharpening conflict then within the client, Gestalt Therapy asserts, results in heightened awareness, and the facets of the client personality can be reintegrated into a new gestalt.
Read more about Gestalt Therapy here.
Wikipedia provides more thoughts about Gestalt therapy. This link does not imply CTPDC's endorsement of what is found on that webpage.