Another core concept in the Gestalt relationship between client and clinician is that of unconditional positive regards to the client. Notably, human beings tend to relate better with some individuals than others. It may therefore be difficult to show acceptance and positive regards to some clients especially when the feelings they express are contrary to the therapist morals and values. Nonetheless, Gestalt therapy points out that therapeutic healing is more likely to occur when the client has positive regards for the client, irrespective of the current feelings or emotions being expressed i.e. anger, hate, fear, pride, disgust, confusion and so on.
That is, “the therapist should prize the clients in a total rather than a conditional way” (Rogers, 1980, p 115 -116). Empathy is perhaps the most important and facilitative aspects of the gestalt psychotherapy (Rogers, 1980). That is, her/his ability to sense the feelings and meaning to feelings expressed by the client and communicate them back in an understanding way. (Adams, 1986) The therapist must explore the client’s world and classify underlying meanings that the clients may be oblivious of.
In this client- therapist relationship it is all about listening, active listening and understating for that matter. (Joyce and Sills, 2001) The session is characterized by non-judgmental, sensitive communication. In cases where these feelings are not understood then seeking clarification using a paraphrase of the client word expresses understanding and leads to self awareness, for example, I hear your say that you are unable to understand why you are always furious with your wife/husband, why do you think that is the case? (Adams, 1986)
The client role in the Gestalt session is active and focused. The client should be willing and ready to open up and express her/himself and “create atmosphere and attitude toward working in therapy that lead to greater awareness of the reality of oneself and how one interacts with others and how one functions in the here and now” (Greenwald, p. 269 cited in Fall, Holders, Marquis, 2003, p. 232). The Gestalt psychotherapist believes that treatment or leaving of the patients lies in the very relationship that they have with the client (Joyce and Sills, 2001, Woldt and Toman, 2005).
Gestalt therapist points out that some clients avoid the human contact with others or rather avoid contact with others because it makes them feel anxious. For example, a client who spills out the most important subject of her/his visit or the intimate reason for seeking therapy within the first few minutes of the session is said to be avoiding fare contact because they are anxious. (Clarkson, 2001) Every one of us at some point has experienced these feelings of anxiety. These feelings are universal, although felt at different times and with different intensities.
These negative emotions interrupt spontaneous and creative interactions with others. This should first be eradicated in the Gestalt therapy as the client and clinician progress towards self awareness. In the words of Bowman (1998) as cited in Toman and Woldt (2005): Gestalt therapy is a process of psychotherapy. The goal is to improve ones community contact within their environment generally. This is accomplished through spontaneous awareness; a dialogue between client and therapist. Becoming aware of differences and similarities are encouraged while interruptions to contact are explored in the present clinical relationship and experience.