53 Gestalt Therapy Questions to Ask Clients in Counseling

Gestalt Therapy is a therapeutic approach I often use that takes a holistic stance in supporting clients. In my work, I focus on helping clients stay in the present moment and engage with their current experiences, rather than solely analyzing the content of what they share. I describe Gestalt Therapy as an approach centered on exploration, rather than on immediate behavior changes. Through this process, I help clients build awareness within themselves so that they can respond consciously and fully to their experiences, supporting them to live more fully in the Here and Now. Keep reading to learn 53 Gestalt Therapy questions to ask clients in counseling.

I often use Gestalt Therapy to help clients move past unfinished business they’ve been carrying and to learn to live in the present. This can provide a sense of closure for unresolved concerns they haven’t been able to shake. It is particularly relevant for clients who are experiencing grief or bereavement, or for those who are unable to speak with someone involved in a challenging situation.

One of my go-to Gestalt Therapy exercises is the Empty Chair technique. In this activity, I guide my clients to imagine they are sitting across from someone with whom they have unfinished business—while the chair is empty. I encourage clients to express the thoughts and emotions they’ve been holding onto. This allows them to fully feel and verbalize these emotions. While it can be an emotional experience, I’ve seen how powerful it can be for providing relief and fostering emotional growth.

For more valuable resources, view our Gestalt Therapy Tools and Resources hub

In my sessions, I also focus on helping clients take ownership of their behaviors—the good, the bad, and the ugly. I often encourage clients to use “I” statements and explore alternative perspectives that bring responsibility back to themselves. Accountability is key in Gestalt Therapy; clients who resist taking responsibility for their actions often encounter blocks in their progress, which then becomes a primary focus in our work.

Finally, I incorporate experiments to help clients build self-awareness and direction in their lives. Techniques such as the Empty Chair exercise and role-playing allow clients to explore new perspectives, emotions, and behaviors, giving them experiential insight that can’t be achieved through discussion alone.

Getting Ready for Your First Gestalt Therapy Session with a New Client

In my experience, clinicians who use Gestalt Therapy are often described as warm, honest, and direct. I make it a point to provide feedback to my clients about how they are experienced in session, as well as observations of their behavior. I also model what it looks like to live in the here and now by staying mindful of my own experiences during our work together.

As clinicians, we balance a variety of responsibilities throughout our day, which can make it challenging to remain fully present without using effective self-care and coping strategies. I make it a priority to check in with my own experiences and address any personal challenges I may be navigating. Maintaining a healthy self-care routine outside of work allows me to bring my full attention to clients during sessions. Simple practices that I integrate into my workday include mindful breathing exercises, meditation, short walks, listening to music, or stretching—small habits that help me reset between clients.

Before I meet with a new client, I find it helpful to review the documentation I am expected to complete. The type of documentation can vary depending on the population I work with and the clinical setting I practice in.

I also make a point to review any paperwork provided prior to the session, such as self-assessments, referral forms, or documentation from other mental health or medical professionals. Doing this in advance gives me a clearer understanding of the client’s background and allows me to focus on what is most relevant during our session.

Gestalt Therapy Questions to Ask Clients

Gestalt therapy questions are used to guide and reinforce topics and skills discussed in therapy sessions. These questions help clients stay present, explore bodily and emotional awareness, and engage in experiments, role plays, and other exercises. Gestalt questions do not focus on “shoulds” and instead encourage self-awareness, responsibility, and exploration.

Examples of Gestalt Therapy questions to ask clients include:

Present Awareness and Experience

1. What is on your mind right now?
2. What are you doing at this moment?
3. I suspect you are in your thoughts right now—can we talk about them?
4. Can you tell me what you’re experiencing?
5. What are you aware of right now?
6. How are you feeling in your body?
7. Can you tell me about (insert observed change; folded arms, moved legs, clenched fist)?
8. What can you tell me about the change in your posture that just occurred?
9. What do you think led to the change in your body that you just experienced?
10. I noticed a shift in your voice—what are you experiencing?
11. Did you notice the shift that just occurred?

Needs and Present Support

12. What are you needing at this moment?
13. What would be helpful for your body right now?
14. What helps you release tension in your body?
15. Have you noticed any areas where you tend to hold tension?
16. How does that make you feel?
17. How does that feeling reflect in your body?
18. What keeps pulling you back rather than staying in the present moment?
19. What skills help you stay present?

Experiments and Skill Practice

20. Can we explore that experience slowly and with more detail?
21. How would you feel about trying an experiment with me?
22. Can we try some relaxation skills that may be helpful?
23. How has this practice changed your experience?
24. How do you see this practice helping you?
25. Can we try some grounding skills?
26. How would you feel about using a role play to act out that situation?

Emotions and Body Awareness

27. What emotions do you find challenging to sit with?
28. Can you show me where in your body you’re feeling this?
29. How do you feel this in your body?
30. What are you noticing happening in your body?
31. Can you tell me what you are feeling?
32. How do you feel after sharing that?
33. How does your body feel when you are happy?
34. How does your body feel when you are sad?
35. How does your body feel when you are content?

Personal Responsibility and “I” Statements

36. Can you think of a way to shift that statement to take responsibility for your part?
37. How could we shift that comment to an “I” statement?
38. Can you share the role you played in that experience?
39. What did you choose to do with that information?

Giving Voice to the Body and Parts

40. If you could give your leg a voice, what would it say?
41. What do you think your fist would say at this moment?
42. How do you feel your eyes would verbalize their tears?

Life Context and Closure

43. How did you feel when you walked into my office today?
44. What do you need to focus on today?
45. Is there anything you’ve been avoiding talking about?
46. Where in your life do you feel you need closure?
47. What has kept you from getting closure?
48. How do you feel now that you have achieved closure for this situation?

Additional Suggested Gestalt Prompts

49. Can you describe your experience from the perspective of another part of your body?
50. How does this experience connect to something you’ve felt before?
51. What do you notice about your breathing right now?
52. How does your posture change when you think about this memory or feeling?
53. Can you experiment with moving your body in a way that expresses this emotion?

Final Thoughts on Asking the Right Questions in Gestalt Therapy

Thank you for taking the time to read my article about Gestalt Therapy questions to ask clients! In my clinical experience, Gestalt Therapy can be an effective approach for clients who are navigating a range of mental health concerns. A key part of using Gestalt Therapy successfully is having a deep understanding of the mental health concerns within your clinical niche. For example, the strategies I use with a client experiencing borderline personality disorder will differ from those I might use with someone experiencing obsessive-compulsive disorder. Developing a thorough knowledge of these concerns helps me tailor my work and select interventions that will be most impactful. It’s equally important to have a strong understanding of Gestalt Therapy itself, including its principles, mindset, and practical skills.

As the focus on closure and living in the here and now continues to gain attention, I’ve found that more clients can benefit from Gestalt Therapy. The variety of resources available for mental health professionals interested in Gestalt Therapy has also grown, both online and internationally.

I encourage clinicians to pursue Continuing Education courses and other training opportunities to strengthen their knowledge and skills in Gestalt Therapy. Gaining this foundation ensures that when you bring Gestalt Therapy into your sessions, you can apply it confidently and effectively. Once you’ve developed the necessary expertise, you can begin integrating these techniques and approaches into your clinical work with your clients. Another resource I recommend is my how to create a Gestalt Therapy treatment plan guide.

View all of our Gestalt Therapy Worksheets

Resources:

• Yontef, G. (1993). Awareness, dialogue and process: Essays on gestalt therapy. New York: The Gestalt Journal Press. https://www.gestalt.org/yontef.htm