Which of the following is NOT listed as a goal of Gestalt therapy?

• A. Develop a self-support system
• B. Recognize parts of self that have been denied
• C. Diagnose mental illness
• D. Assume ownership and responsibility

Answer: (C)

Gestalt therapy centers on increasing awareness in the here-and-now and helping the client take responsibility for their feelings, choices, and behavior so the self can become more integrated. Developing a self-support system fits this aim because it builds inner resources and independence, reducing over-reliance on others. Recognizing parts of the self that have been denied is also fundamental here, since bringing disowned aspects into awareness promotes wholeness and present-centered contact. Assuming ownership and responsibility is core too, as the therapy emphasizes owning one’s experiences rather than externalizing them.

Diagnosing mental illness, however, is not a goal of Gestalt therapy. Diagnosis is a clinical process used to classify symptoms within a medical or psychiatric framework, whereas Gestalt therapy focuses on experiential awareness and personal responsibility. The therapy may acknowledge symptoms if present, but its aim is not to diagnose; it aims to help clients become more aware and to take charge of their lived experience.