Training Programs

Gestalt Training Program (GTP XII)

2008-2010 GTP XII Program Schedule

Oct. 16-19, 2008
Dec. 4-7, 2008
Feb. 5-9, 2009
Apr. 16-20, 2009
June 4-7, 2009
Sept 10-13, 2009
Nov 5-8, 2009
Jan 14-17, 2010
Mar 18-21, 2010
May 13-16, 2010

2007-2009 GTP XI Program Schedule

October 11-14, 2007
December 6-9, 2007
February 7-10, 2008
April 3-6, 2008
June 5-8, 2008
September 11-14, 2008
November 13-16, 2008
January 8-11, 2009
March 19-22, 2009
May 14-17, 2009

Each session consists of a 4-day weekend, running Thursday afternoon through Sunday afternoon.

Overview

The Gestalt Training Program (GTP) is designed to foster the growth, development, and transformation of people and communities in a manner unique to the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. Over the past 5 decades, GTP has been evolving Gestalt theory and application through the integration of systems and field theory with basic Gestalt principles, and teaching our distinct approach in service to individuals' personal and professional development.

GTP strives for diversity and the building of a community of people with different backgrounds, ideologies, cultures, races, religions, and professions. We engage in the important work of expanding our capacity for living a meaningful life and our potential to contribute meaningfully to the world. We support the integration of body, mind, emotion, and spirit in search of a richly satisfying way of life.

GTP attends to six core areas of inquiry and experience: intellectual, emotional, spiritual, physical, relational, and creative. Basic Gestalt theory and methods are present with the following foci:

Phenomenological and subjective experience
Awareness and consciousness
Present-centered approach
Learning and change
Experimental stance
Human development and transformation
Intimacy and interpersonal interaction

The skills taught in GTP will be useful to those working with individuals, couples, families, or groups in a broad range of professional settings. This training program is ideal for practitioners seeking to enhance their training and for individuals seeking transformation in their personal or professional lives. GTP is also a required first step in our training process.

Our Faculty

GTP draws its faculty from a distinguished group of individuals from around the country. Each member of the faculty, in turn, draws on personal experience and training, as well as years of professional practice in a variety of venues and specialties. Together, the faculty provides a unique understanding not only of Gestalt principles and concepts, but also of ways to apply GTP learnings in your day-to-day personal and professional lives.

Our Teaching Format

Each GTP session consists of a 4-day weekend, running Thursday through Sunday. A total of 10 sessions are held over an 18-month period. GTP provides hands-on experience in skill application, accompanied by immediate feedback from faculty. For example, participants work with each other, acting alternately as client, facilitator, and observer, during faculty-supervised practicums each weekend. In addition to practicums, Gestalt concepts are learned through lectures, experimentation, personal growth groups, and large community interactions.

Who Should Apply

Psychiatrists, psychologists, members of the healing professions, social workers, teachers, ministers and pastoral counselors, and graduate students in the mental health disciplines have participated in, and benefited from, the program. Lawyers, architects, body workers, organizational consultants and homemakers have benefited from the skills and personal transformation that are the benefits of participating in GTP. GTP has been especially helpful for those involved in career change. GTP is particularly ideal for practitioners seeking to enhance their training and individuals seeking transformation in their personal or professional lives.

Admission Process

The admission process is an opportunity for us to begin to know about each other. Your first step is to complete and submit a Training Program Application, along with the application fee and a recent photograph of yourself. After your application is received, you will be contacted and interviewed, either in person or over the phone, by a faculty member. Admission into GTP also requires your completion of a Gestalt Experience Workshop, which will introduce you to the type of personal growth work you will experience during our 18-month program. You will be notified of your acceptance into GTP as soon as these steps are fulfilled.

Additionally, while participating in GTP, you must complete at least 35 hours of individual therapy with a Gestalt-oriented psychotherapist. Partial credit may be given for previous individual therapy, approved small group therapy experiences, and for some training programs and workshops.

Advanced Training Opportunities

For professionals, GTP is designed for professionals, and will begin to hone your interpersonal skills and increase your range of effective interventions; however, GTP is also a required first step in an advanced training process. Upon completion of the program, participants may then apply for advanced training in a specialized area, such as Working with Individuals, Working Integrally with Groups, Small Systems and Teams, Working with Physical Process, Working with Children and Adolescents, and other visionary programs that are developing.

After successfully completing an advanced training track, you are eligible to graduate as a Gestalt practitioner.

Continuing Education

280 hours

Fees

Application (nonrefundable) - $100
Tuition - $6,845

One-half of the tuition is required upon acceptance. The balance is due at the mid-point of the program. Special payment plans may be requested through the program's

Chairpersons

Philip R. Belzunce, PhD, SMFT, DAPA, RPP, CPE, CPC Bio
Daniel E. Jones, PhD Bio
Victoria R. Winbush, MPH, MSSA, LISW Bio

Faculty will be drawn from:

Marlene Moss Blumenthal, PhD, LPC Bio
Jay C. Brinegar, MA Bio
Kirste Carlson, ND,RN,CS Bio
Kathleen Clegg, MD Bio
J. Rick Day, PhD, PsyD, MBA Bio
Jim Etzkorn, PhD Bio
Barbara W. Fields, MSSA, LISW Bio
Karen Fleming, PhD Bio
Lalei E. Gutierrez, PhD, SMFT, RPP, CPE, CPC Bio
Richard B. Hancock, MA Bio
Will Heindel, MA Bio
Denise Hyble, MS, LMHC, LMFT Bio
Mary Ann Kraus, PsyD Bio
Lynne M. Kweder, MPA, LSW Bio
Jacqueline McLemore, PhD Bio
Herb Stevenson, MA Bio
Denise Tervo, PhD Bio
Barbara Y. Thomas, PhD Bio
Sarah Toman, PhD Bio
Nancy S. Wadsworth, PhD, LISW Bio
Rosanna O. Zavarella, PhD Bio

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Advanced Group Skills

Full Date Listing:

October 23 - 26, 2008
November 20 - 23, 2008
January 22 - 25, 2009
February 19 - 22, 2009
March 26 - 29, 2009
April 30 - May 3, 2009

Program Schedule

Each weekend will be scheduled as follows:
Thursday: 1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
*Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

*Friday's schedule will change slightly on weekends that participants work with outside clients.

Overview

The Gestalt Advanced Group Skills Program prepares participants to work dynamically, relationally, and effectively with groups, small systems, and teams. Group work is a foundational skill and one that the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland prides itself for developing in students. This program is designed for those who work with groups, teams, and even committees. Participants can expect to develop comfort and skill as group leaders, facilitators and members; to learn to see group dynamics with new lenses, and to increase their capacity to work effectively with groups.

Curriculum and Methodology

The program meets for six, four-day weekends over a six-month period. Training focuses on increasing participants' skills in assessing groups and small systems within the group's culture and social contexts, creating developmentally appropriate interventions, and evaluating outcomes. During the program, participants will learn through a combination of methodologies, including:

First-hand experiences: Practice, practice, practice
Didactic presentations and modeling by faculty
Skill development: Participants learn to create and deliver interventions that build group effectiveness
Practicum activities that allow participants to apply their skills in a variety of contexts
Team-supported learning project designed to build capacity and/or change the participant's work group, team, or community.
Reading to support participants' learning

Early in the program, practicum experiences will be with fellow participants; later in the program, participants will work with a group, small system, or work team from the Cleveland area.

Who Should Attend

This advanced training program is for professionals who work with groups in organizational and clinical settings and for those who wish to deepen and extend their skills in their roles as leader, facilitator and group member. Advanced Group Skills Program is open to graduates of the Gestalt Training Program, Gestalt Organizational Development Program, Couple and Family Program, or those with comparable Gestalt training.

Admission Process

Please apply on-line or contact the GIC Registrar, for a program application. The non-refundable application fee must accompany all applications. Class size is limited; early application is advised.

Continuing Education:

143 CE

Fees excluding travel, lodging or meals:

Application fee (nonrefundable): $100
Tuition: $3900
Tuition is required upon acceptance. The Executive Director must approve alternative payment plans.

Chairperson(s)

Jay C. Brinegar, M.A.
Karen P. Fleming, PhD

Faculty will be drawn from:

Frances Baker, PhD; Philip Belzunce, PhD; Marlene Moss Blumenthal, PhD; Kirste Carlson, ND; Rick Hancock, MA; Mary Ann Kraus, PsyD; Peter Krembs, MA; Lynne Kweder, LSW; Jackie Lowe Stevenson, LISW; Celia Young, MBA, MA; Rosanna Zavarella, PhD

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Becoming an Effective Organizational Intervener

2007-2008 Program Dates

December 9-15, 2007
February 8-15, 2008
April 13-19, 2008
June 1-7, 2008
August 17-23 2008

Overview

For over thirty years, the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland has acknowledged and taught that successful leadership requires an indepth awareness of oneself coupled with the capacity to understand organization and system dynamics sufficiently to create effective personal and organizational interventions. Therefore, the basic premise of Personal & Organizational Effectiveness: Becoming an Effective Organizational Intervener is that through better interventions, individuals become more effective leaders.

Personal & Organizational Effectiveness: Becoming an Effective Organizational Intervener is a dynamic program for people involved in leadership within organizations whether it be via day-to-day management or organizational change and development. It provides an introduction to the body of knowledge developed in the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland’s Organization & Systems Development programs. In five exciting sessions, participants will explore our overall model and theory base as applied to individual, group, and organizational levels of system. The program offers participants a powerful and integrative opportunity to increase their awareness, knowledge, and skills in order to become more effective interveners in organizations.

Download PDF Brochure - 2008-2009

Download PDF Brochure - 2007-2008

Why do people study here? Listen to what Rick Maurer has to say about why he choose the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland, and the impact it's had on his career. Click here for live audio.

Fees

Application (nonrefundable) $750
Tuition $13, 750

Herb Stevenson, MA, CPC, CDP Bio

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Working With Physical Process

Program Schedule

Sunday Nov. 2 - Friday 7, 2008
Sunday Jan. 11 - Friday 16, 2009
Sunday Apr. 19 - Friday 24, 2009
Tuesday June 9 - Sunday 14, 2009

Overview

Gestalt therapy, as a holistic approach, views physical experience and expression as intrinsic to a person's being and functioning. This program is designed to refine and extend the practitioner's skills in working with physical processes beyond skills developed through basic Gestalt training. Attention is given to heightened consciousness of one's own body experience and use, refined development of the client's body sensation and awareness, the use of touch to facilitate awareness, working with breathing, body structure, movement, perception of the body and the client/therapist system as an energy system.

Curriculum and Methodology

Participants in this program will learn:

A conceptual base for the importance of physical processes from Gestalt and related perspectives.
Enhanced awareness and use of our physical being to support effective communication, empathy, and intervention.
Skills to develop the client's awareness of body-as-self.
Refined perceptual skills with which to observe physical processes and they dynamics of posture and movement.
An appropriate use of touch to facilitate awareness and change.
The ability to develop thematic work from physical experience, and the appropriate use of physical expression and movement in therapy.

Program Flow

WEEK ONE: Body awareness development; sensation and embodied language; principals in the use of touch; energy principals; and skill practicum.
WEEK TWO: Body structure and body process; orientation to body character structure; and two days full practicum.
WEEK THREE: Movement and expression; developmental movement concepts: body-oriented experiment; and two full days practicum.
WEEK FOUR: Student self-assessment; diagnostics and case strategies in body-oriented work; thematic work; special topics; and two full days practicum with a volunteer client.

Curriculum includes 48 hours practicum with in vivo supervision, and approximately 24 hours of body-oriented personal growth group work, didactic lectures, experiential processes, and skill labs.

Who Should Attend

This program is intended for Gestalt clinical, systems, and healing arts practitioners who wish to increase their embodied presence and refine their capacity for working with people via physical process and body experience.

Admission Process

Applicants are required to have completed the Gestalt Training Program or equivalent training. Applicants are also required to complete the workshop, "Working with the Body" or a WWPP Chairperson approved equivalent. The applicant's personal and professional readiness to explore this type of work, as well as the compatibility of his/her work setting and field practice with the program's leaning objectives, will be considered.

Admission goes forward only when all prerequisites and materials have been completed. We recommend that you attend the required workshop, "Working with the Body," as early as possible so that space is still available.

Application

Please complete the GIC Training Program Application (on-line registration for training programs). Applicants will be expected to complete the prerequisite workshop, Working with the Body, and complete additional WWPP application materials prior to acceptance to the program. An interview, (phone or in person) may be required.

The workshop Working with the Body Workshop is a prerequisite for Working with Physical Process.

Continuing Education

180 Hours
Volunteer Clients requested for this Program

In the fourth week, Volunteer Clients commit to Friday and Saturday working with a student in the program. Volunteers will need to commit to time on both, Friday June 12, 2009 and Saturday June 13, 2009.

If you are interested in volunteering, please complete the PDF application.

Fees

Excluding travel, lodging, and meals

Application (nonrefundable) $100

Tuition $5,500
Tuition is required upon acceptance.

Co-Chairpersons

James I. Kepner, PhD Bio
Donna Marie Berwald, MA, LMHC, LMFT, LSW Bio

Faculty

Philip R. Belzunce, PhD, CPC, SMFT, DAPA,RPP, CPE Bio
Arye Bursztyn, MFA Bio
Michael Clemmens, PhD Bio
Lalei Gutierrez, PhD, SMFT, RPP, CPE Bio
Will Heindel, MA Bio
Jackie Lowe Stevenson, MSSA, LISW Bio
Jodie Niinita Telfair, PhD Bio
Denise Tervo, PhD Bio

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Working with Children & Adolescents Module I (Intensive Format)

Program Schedule

Module I: June 23-27, 2009
Module II: October 11-16, 2009

Overview

This program offers a holistic, experiential approach to working with children, adolescents, and their families. The Gestalt model emphasizes the child in relationship and explores the development of self and families through the child-and-family’s creative adaptation to life challenges.

Curriculum and Methodology

The curriculum will include both a conceptual framework and practical tools for working with children and adolescents in clinical and educational settings. Module I topics will include Gestalt approaches to and models of assessment, therapeutic alliance, development, clinician’s use of self, and working with parents. Application topics, addressed in Module II, will be drawn from ADHD, anxiety, behavior disorders, depression and suicidality, eating disorders, gender identity, learning problems, post-traumatic stress, sexuality, and substance use and abuse.

The format consists of didactic presentations, experiential activities, learning labs, supervised practicums, process groups, and case consultation. In addition, there will be an opportunity in Module II to learn from “experts”—a group of adolescents—concerning their first-hand experience in counseling and therapeutic settings.

The program is offered in two modules that can be taken in sequence or independently in different years. Module I is a prerequisite for Module II.

Who Should Attend

This advanced training program is for health care and education professionals who wish to deepen and extend their skills in working with children and adolescents. Some exposure to Gestalt therapy principles and experiential work is recommended.

Admission Process

Please apply on-line or contact the GIC Registrar, for a program application. The non-refundable application fee and a current photograph must accompany all applications. Class size is limited; early application is advised.

Continuing Education

40 CE Hours per module

Fees excluding travel, lodging or meals:

Application for each module (nonrefundable) $100

Tuition for each module: $1,500

Chairperson(s)

Marlene Moss Blumenthal, PhD, LPC Bio
Mark McConville, PhD Bio

Faculty will be drawn from:

Debra Dunkle, PhD, LISW Bio
Robert G. Lee, PhD Bio
Denise Tervo, PhD Bio
Mark J. Warren, MD, MPH Bio

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Structure, Dialogue, and Improvisation in Gestalt Therapy: Training in Developing Excellence in Psychotherapy

Full Date Listing:

October 7-11, 2009
November 12-16, 2009
January 7-10, 2010
February 11-14, 2010
March 11-14, 2010
April 22-25, 2010
May 20-23, 2010

Overview

This program is intended for practitioners who want to develop excellence in their practice. The foundation of this training program is based on three key components of Gestalt practice:

Structure or process of experience and therapeutic work
The dialogic field as developed by the therapist’s presence, empathy, and commitment to dialogue
Improvisation by the therapist in developing experimental learning and change.

It is the faculty’s goal that students acquire an in-depth understanding of Gestalt theory and develop a refined skill base.

The program begins with an initial five-day intensive segment intended to develop the learning community and present the core principles of Gestalt therapy practice for psychotherapists. The five-day intensive is followed by six four-day weekends, each emphasizing key topic areas in clinical practice. Five of the weekends include in-vivo practicum sessions supervised by faculty. During these weekends, participants work with volunteers who serve in the ‘client’ role to support the acquisition of “real time” learning. Because internet documents will be used as part of the curriculum, participants should have access to and capability of using internet and e-mail.

Curriculum and Methodology

Five Day Intensive: Gestalt as Holistic Approach

Gestalt as holistic approach
Introduction to phenomenology and dialogic stance
Field theory and self (contact)
Use of self
Theory of self as field phenomena
Modulations as adaptations in the field
Importance of ground
Meaning making as a fundamental part of Gestalt learning theory
Gestalt therapy as relational and process oriented
Dialogic stance and values: Gestalt therapy as process
Experiential/Experimental stance and values

Weekend One: Relational field and development - Contact, shame, and trauma - Part I

Weekend Two: Identifying modulations, patterns, and structure in the field -
Contact, shame, and trauma - Part II

Weekend Three: Improvisation - Creativity, dreams, use of self

Weekend Four: Exploring Ground and encountering diversity

Weekend Five: Body and the erotic field

Weekend Six: Closure, integration, and future development

Who Should Apply

Practicing professionals with a graduate degree (or in the process of earning a graduate degree)
Professionals seeking training and development to expand their capacity for working with individuals
Professions who are interested in a Gestalt relational field approach
Those whose present practice or intention is to work as a practicing professional psychotherapist
Individuals with access to and capability of using the internet and e-mail (having the ability to attach documents)

Application

Please complete the GIC Training Program Application (on-line registration for training programs). Applicants will be expected to schedule an interview, (phone or in person) with one of our faculty members prior to acceptance to the program.

Continuing Education:

182 Hours

Volunteer Clients requested for this Program

Clients commit to five Saturdays working with a therapist in the program. Sessions begin in March 2008. If interested, please complete the PDF application.

Fees excluding travel, lodging, and meals

Application (nonrefundable) $100
Tuition $5,500
One-half of the tuition is required upon acceptance. The balance is due at the mid-point of the program. Refunds

Chairperson(s)

Michael Clemmens, PhD Bio
Donna Marie Berwald, MA, LMHC, LMFT, LSW Bio
Marlene Moss Blumenthal, PhD, LPC Bio

Faculty will be drawn from:

Debra Dunkle, PhD, LISW Bio
Daniel Jones, PhD, Bio
Mary Ann Kraus, PsyD, Bio
Mark McConville, PhD Bio
Jody Niinita Telfair, PhD Bio
Barbara Y. Thomas, PhD Bio
Nancy S. Wadsworth, PhD, LISW Bio
Lester P. Wyman, PhD, LISW Bio

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