Hello Neil,
Congrats on your ten years sober. It's a good life for sure. I have been sober since 1981, and have used Gestalt for over a decade now. If you can be more specific, I can share some of my experiences while working with new individuals in addiction recovery.
To begin, I can tell you that the therapist needs extensive and authentic spirituality, empathy, endurance, keen and blunt honesty, and a very thick skin!
Regards