Gestalt Therapy in New York & California

A Present-Focused Path to Emotional Awareness and Authentic Living

Cornell & Associates Marriage and Family Therapy offers a dynamic, presence-centered approach to therapy that supports deep exploration and meaningful change. Gestalt Therapy is available for clients in New York and California and is grounded in the belief that lasting growth comes from becoming more aware of lived experience in the here and now. For clients who feel disconnected, overwhelmed, stuck in repeating patterns, or searching for a more grounded sense of self, this work creates space to reconnect—with internal experience, relationships, and the present moment.

In-person Gestalt therapy is available in New York City and San Diego, with virtual therapy offered throughout New York State and California. Whether clients are navigating the intensity of daily life in Manhattan or adjusting to transitions on the West Coast, Cornell & Associates provides a calm, supportive environment where clients can deepen self-awareness, feel more emotionally present, and move toward greater clarity, authenticity, and integration.

A woman speaking to a therapist during Gestalt therapy

What Is Gestalt Therapy?

Gestalt Therapy is an experiential form of psychotherapy that emphasizes awareness, personal responsibility, and the healing potential of the present moment. Rather than focusing only on analyzing the past, Gestalt work helps clients notice what is happening in real time—how they think, feel, respond, and relate—so that old patterns can become clearer and new possibilities can emerge with greater intention.
Cornell & Associates Marriage and Family Therapy often supports individuals who may be experiencing:

  • Anxiety or stress
  • Relational challenges
  • Creative blocks
  • Grief or unresolved emotional pain
  • Life transitions
  • A desire to feel more alive, grounded, or connected

As a private practice offering Gestalt Therapy in New York and California, the approach is collaborative, active, and deeply human. Sessions invite curiosity and self-reflection, with attention to emotion, sensation, and the ways clients show up in relationship. At times, therapy may include experiential techniques such as guided dialogue, movement, role exploration, or present-focused awareness practices—helping clients access what may be difficult to name or understand through words alone. The goal is not to “fix” a person, but to support greater authenticity, wholeness, and self-connection.

Why Choose Gestalt Therapy?

Many people begin therapy hoping for clarity, healing, or relief, and often discover that real change begins by slowing down and becoming more aware of what is already happening within. Gestalt Therapy supports this process by focusing on:

  • Present-moment awareness: noticing thoughts, emotions, and body cues as they arise
  • Authenticity: building the capacity for honest expression and emotional truth
  • Integration: bringing together parts of the self that feel split off, conflicted, or unheard
  • Relationship: using the therapy relationship to explore patterns of connection, protection, and closeness

In both New York and California, Gestalt Therapy through Cornell & Associates can help clients find language for previously unspoken feelings, access new perspectives, and discover fresh ways of responding to familiar challenges. For those who feel like they are living on autopilot, disconnected from emotion, or struggling to express an inner experience, Gestalt work can be a meaningful path back to presence and self-trust.

A green, leafy branch against a yellow background

“Suffering is not holding you, you are holding suffering” (Buddha)

Gestalt Therapy

In our New York City office, located in the heart of Manhattan, we work with individuals from all walks of life — including professionals, creatives, students, and those navigating the fast-paced, high-pressure environment of city living. Gestalt therapy offers a grounding practice in the midst of constant motion. Whether you’re dealing with burnout, relationship dynamics, or seeking greater emotional freedom, we meet you with presence and compassion.

Gestalt Therapy in San Diego and Throughout California

For our clients in San Diego and across California, we offer both in-person and online sessions. Whether you’re by the coast, in a bustling urban center, or living in a quieter part of the state, Gestalt therapy provides a space to slow down and engage with yourself on a deeper level. We understand that California life can mean beauty and openness — but also disconnection and overwhelm. Our approach brings clarity and connection through grounded, real-time awareness.

Online Gestalt Therapy

We also work with clients remotely, providing virtual therapy sessions that are tailored, effective, and relational. Whether you’re working from a Brooklyn apartment or living in Northern California, our licensed therapists can support you in building greater awareness and making meaningful change — right from where you are.

We maintain the same presence and quality in our online sessions that we do in-person. And we understand how to help clients build a connection even through a screen. This makes our Gestalt therapy in New York, NY, and California both flexible and accessible to people with demanding schedules or those living outside major metro areas.

Frequently Asked Questions

Gestalt therapy focuses on your present experience — your thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, and behaviors—as they unfold in real time. Rather than analyzing your past in isolation, it helps you explore how past experiences may be shaping your present.

Yes, we offer secure virtual sessions for residents across New York State and California. These sessions are held over video and are just as intentional and engaging as in-person therapy.

Absolutely. Many clients come to us after trying other types of therapy and find that Gestalt work offers a more embodied, dynamic, and relational approach.

Yes. Gestalt therapy can be very effective for clients struggling with anxiety, depression, or emotional numbness by helping them tune into their inner experience and increase self-awareness.

Most clients attend weekly, though we’ll work with you to find a rhythm that supports your goals and your life.

Begin Your Gestalt Therapy Journey With Us

Whether you’re in New York, California, or somewhere in between, we’re here to help you connect more deeply with yourself, your emotions, and your experience. Our team of experienced therapists at Cornell & Associates offers thoughtful, personalized Gestalt therapy in New York, NY, and California — both in-person and online. So if you’re ready to move toward greater self-understanding, healing, and wholeness, call us today. We’d be honored to support you in your wellness journey.