When adequately elaborated, the basic method of Gestalt therapy can be traced to the phenomenological field theory of Gestalt psychology. Gestalt therapy differs from Gestalt psychology not because of a difference in philosophy or method, but because of different contexts; the clinical context has different demands than those of basic research. Phenomenological field theory, the method of both Gestalt psychology and therapy, is characterized by: (1) reliance on the total immediate experience; (2) a search for insight into the inherent structure of the segregated whole which is the experiential field of perception; (3) systematic experimentation to obtain a description true to the structure of the phenomena being studied; (4) the search for insight into the awareness process itself; and (5) intentionality. Gestalt psychology is largely a content psychology. Gestalt therapy transforms the Gestalt method into a psychology system that is both act- and content-oriented; it is an existential psychotherapy. Gestalt therapy shifts the emphasis of Gestalt psychology from essence to existence. Dialogue is most appropriate to this phenomenological-existential psychotherapy. The dialogic relationship in Gestalt therapy is marked by inclusion, presence, commitment to dialogue, non-exploitiveness, and a full living dialogue. These philosophical principles form an integrating framework that is the primary identity of Gestalt therapy. (Author/NRB)