What is the primary goal of counselors practicing Gestalt therapy?

The primary goal of counselors practicing Gestalt therapy is to promote awareness and present-moment living. This therapeutic approach emphasizes the importance of being aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and actions in the here and now. By focusing on the present experience, counselors encourage clients to recognize their immediate thoughts and emotions, which can lead to greater self-acceptance and personal responsibility.

Gestalt therapy operates on the premise that individuals can only understand themselves fully by engaging in their current interactions and experiences rather than dwelling on the past or getting lost in future worries. This heightened awareness is foundational for personal growth and actualization, allowing clients to identify unresolved issues and cultivate more effective ways of relating to themselves and others in their lives.

The other options, while valid in different therapeutic contexts, do not reflect the core intent of Gestalt therapy. Diagnosing and treating mental disorders is often characteristic of more traditional psychological approaches but is not the primary aim of Gestalt therapy. Focusing on past experiences can sometimes occur but is not emphasized in the same way as present-moment awareness. Similarly, restructuring negative thought patterns is more aligned with cognitive-behavioral approaches than with Gestalt therapy's emphasis on experience and awareness.