"Our evolved, human self-process is not something apart from, and opposed to, all of our instincts for relationship, meaning, and a rightly ethical stance in our human world. Rather, in a desperate and suffering world, these instincts and intuitions are our nature."
- Gordon Wheeler

Residential Program 10th Anniversary

Convergences in Relational Thought and Practice

Donna Orange Frank M. Staemmler

Join us for this special tenth anniversary celebration. In the recent past we have invited gestalt therapists who have explored the relational perspective to be guest faculty. In this special year we decided to bring together two people who have made outstanding contributions to the world of relational thinking, each from different contexts: psychoanalyst Donna Orange, and gestalt therapist Frank M. Staemmler.

We will have our usual week of living and learning in a community in which relational theory is explicated, and new theory and practice is explored. In this continually evolving program we focus on the relational context that shapes therapist/patient contact and on developmental themes as they evolve over the course of therapy.

Our program includes daily theory lecture/discussions as well as direct, supervised experiential practice. We are delighted with the extent to which this program has developed a "life of its own".

Each year the program has been adapted to the needs and wishes of the participants, and each year the participants have expanded the program, building on the energy of a strong sense of community with participants from throughout the world.

From beginning therapists to faculty members of gestalt therapy training programs, we have an extremely high rate of returning participants. Defining qualities of the program have become: the support for taking risks, mutual respect, and honest (even when difficult) dialogue.

Program Highlights

The strong sense of community, coupled with an inclusiveness towards all participants, has allowed the faculty and community to experiment with program design. For instance, we have an optional evening program run by participants who wish to contribute ideas and experiences. Some examples have been:

  • Improvisational theater
  • Group process
  • Free-writing
  • Experiments with art therapy
Dates

Thursday evening, March 6 through Friday noon, March 14, 2008. Monday is "rest day," during which one can hike, play tennis, roam Santa Barbara and the beaches.

Tuition

The fee, which includes the training, housing and meals, is (US) $2200.* Any cancellation notice must be received one week in advance of the program starting date and a non-refundable charge of $75 will apply.

* Includes a special surcharge of $100 for this year only, due to the addition of two guest speakers. Some financial assistance is available.

Location

Our setting is the lovely foothills of Santa Barbara, at La Casa de Maria retreat center.

Faculty

Lynne Jacobs, Ph.D., Jan Ruckert, Ed.D., and Gary Yontef, Ph.D., F.A.Clin.P.

Continuing Education: 42 hours

For more information or to register for this program, please contact us or use our online registration form.

© 2007 Pacific Gestalt Institute