"Gestalt therapy has pioneered many useful and creative innovations in psychotherapy theory and practice that have been incorporated into the general psychotherapy field. "
- Gary Yontef & Lynne Jacobs

Gestalt Therapy Training

Now gestalt therapy is moving to further elaborate and refine these innovations. Regardless of label, the principles of existential dialogue, the use of direct phenomenological experience for both patient and therapist, the trust of organismic self-regulation, the emphasis on experimentation and awareness, the paradoxical theory of change and close attention to the contact between the therapist and the patient all form a model of good psychotherapy that will continue to be used by gestalt therapists and others.

Our particular approach to gestalt therapy continues to evolve, with more and more gestalt therapists from around the world contributing their own insights. Our training focuses on contemporary relational perspectives in gestalt therapy. We emphasize training in working with the nuances of emotional process, therapist-patient interaction, enduring relational themes, and the developmental process of psychotherapy. Relational gestalt therapy theory is taught systematically and is interwoven into the experiential part of the program.

Overview of Programs

Our objective is to support trainees to develop skills and competency in gestalt therapy theory and practice. We strive to integrate relational gestalt therapy principles with the unique personal style of each participant and facilitate the building of a supportive learning community. Trainees are placed in groups of 7 to 10 members who are encouraged to use the support and commitment of cohorts to identify potential areas of growth and create opportunities to experiment both in the training and in practice settings. We are not interested in imparting a particular style of therapy or a restrictive method for practice. Our focus is in helping each trainee understand and develop gestalt therapy theory to be used as a support for his/her specific talents, style, and areas of interest and responsibility.

All of our programs are designed to prepare trainees in what we consider the areas of core competency for contemporary relational gestalt therapy practice. Although none of our programs requires a multiyear commitment, competency in these areas usually evolve over the course of several years of study and practice. For those who are interested, the faculty offers an examination series whose successful completion leads to certification as a gestalt therapist. The amount of training needed to prepare for certification varies for each trainee.

Core Competency Areas Include:
  • Field theory, Phenomenology & Dialogue
  • Paradoxical Theory of Change
  • Contact/Withdrawal Cycles
  • Character Styles
  • Shame Process

We also encourage further familiarity with the following:

  • Gestalt Psychology
  • Existential Philosophy
  • Group Work
  • Body Process
  • Working with Experiment

Gestalt Learning Community

Each training group maintains its membership for the duration of the training year. Continuation in the institute does not guarantee the same group membership for each successive year. While changes in group membership may introduce challenges for some, our hope is that each trainee will have the opportunity to cultivate supportive relationships with the larger learning community in which we operate. The evolution of community is an important factor in creating the conditions we believe to be critical to each trainee's professional development. The broader community enriches and diversifies the learning experience and ultimately builds the foundation for enduring friendships, professional support networks, service projects and the possibility for wide-scale social movements. Our program design intentionally leads to opportunities for exchange of new ideas, cross fertilization and exposure to difference.

© 2007 Pacific Gestalt Institute