Gestalt therapy is based on existential principles with the main goal for individuals to become complete and whole. Concepts include personal responsibility, unfinished business, and the here-and-now.

The goals of Gestalt therapy are to:

1. Develop self-awareness
2. Develop ability to take responsibility for one's actions and behaviors
3. Develop skills necessary to satisfy needs without violating the rights of others or one's own moral standards
4. Acquire morals
5. Move from environmental support to internal support
6. Demonstrate a willingness to help others and ask for help when needed

The Gestalt therapist needs to be "fully present" during therapeutic encounters. Growth occurs due to genuine contact between two people; it is not due to the imposition of techniques, nor is it from the therapist's interpretations (similar to Rogers). The therapist has to be creative in helping the person deal with the here-and-now, work on unfinished business, and allow the client to believe that he/or she has the capacity to grow.

In Gestalt therapy, interpretation is done by the client, not the counselor. Gestalt asks "what" or "how" rather than "why". Gestalt relies on layers of the neurosis concept. Dreams are important.