About Us

PGI is committed to increasing access to our programs for those applicants who are economically disadvantaged. In an effort to make our programs more affordable for those who are otherwise not able to bear the full cost of training, PGI will make partial bursary scholarships. For more information about our scholarship program, contact Jan Ruckert at (310) 478-3300.

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
Familiarity with Psychodynamic and
Contemporary Psychoanalytic Perspectives

Non-profit Status
PGI is a non-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization. All donations are tax-deductible and will go to support our scholarship program. To make a donation to PGI please contact Lynne Jacobs at 310 446-9720

For general inquires please send us an email or visit the PGI faculty page to contact specific faculty. Requests for information on training programs and scholarships may be addressed to the following:

Residential Training Program
Email: Lynne Jacobs
Phone: 310-446-9720

Weekend Training Program
Email: Ann Bartelstein
Phone: 310-474-5363

Scholarship Information
Email: Jan Ruckert
Phone: 310-478-3300