Basic and Advanced training groups are limited in size to approximately 16 participants. Advanced Intensive, Clinical Practicum and MasterClass are limited in size to approximately 12. Assignment to all groups is made on the basis of previous training in Gestalt Therapy rather than general clinical experience.

BASIC GROUP: The Basic Group is designed for applicants who are new to Gestalt Therapy or who have limited post-graduate training in Gestalt Therapy. Many Basic Group members come to our training with years of useful and relevant experience, however they are not familiar with Gestalt theory or therapy.

• Excellent starting place for becoming familiar with the European Summer Residential workshop and the Experiential/Gestalt model.
• Experiential and didactic components within the group setting,
• Small group work for practice in applying the theoretical principles being presented,
• An option to have a 40-minute session of individual psychotherapy from a member of the Clinical Practicum or the MasterClass with live supervision.

Training Goals: Development of personal support that enables participants to work as client and therapist in large and the small group formats and to interact in the group setting with a minimum of defensiveness. Development of a good basic theoretical background in Gestalt Therapy theory as well as the basic technical skills required in Experiential/Gestalt psychotherapies.

ADVANCED GROUP: Designed for clinicians who have a minimum of 2 years of Gestalt Therapy training.

• Participants work as client and interact in the group with a minimum of defensiveness.
• In addition to observing the Trainer and Trainer Assistant working live, participants are also expected to work as therapist in the group,
• Be able to take criticism of their work as therapistof, be experienced in doing psychotherapy, and have a good basic theoretical background in Gestalt Therapy theory.
• An option for individual therapy from a member of the Clinical Practicum or MasterClass groups with live supervision is also offered (depending upon availability).

Training Goals: Develop greater observational and focusing ability in order to increase skills as a Gestalt psychotherapist. Build a model that helps to integrate the knowledge and techniques from other sources. Develop a personal style of doing psychotherapy.

ADVANCED INTENSIVE GROUP

• Each member of this group is assigned a client from within the group to work with in front of the large group as well as within the trios.
• Participants provide supervision for their colleagues after each piece of work to sharpen their theoretical understanding and integrate theory with clinical work.
• What is limited in this group is time to focus on group process and to view the trainer's and  the trainer assistant's work.    
  
• What is expanded is the opportunity to work as therapist with the same client.
  
• Participants have an option to have an individual therapist from either the Clinical Practicum  or the MasterClass .   
  

CLINICAL PRACTICUM GROUP: The Clinical Practicum group focuses intensely on improving participants' clinical skills and emphasizes the integration of clinical work and Gestalt theory. Preference is given to those persons who have had extensive training in Gestalt Therapy.

• Individual client assigned to each participant with daily live supervision.
  
• Provide supervision for Basic/Advanced participants in trios and quartets.
  
• Participants are responsible for  the theoretical discussion of each piece of work.  
  
• Participants present some aspect of Gestalt theory and are responsible for the discussion following the presentation.  The topic will be assigned in advance.
• Participants have some opportunity to work on personal issues with other Clinical Practicum  members and/or with the Trainer or Group Leader.

MASTERCLASS: Designed specifically for Gestalt therapists who have completed their Gestalt training with GATLA or other Institutes and for those who have gained extensive Gestalt training and experience by other means.

• Guarantee of working with all three GATLA Core Trainers:  Todd Burley, Ph.D., Rita Resnick, Ph.D. and Robert W. Resnick, Ph.D.
• Opportunity to do personal work with all three of the GATLA core trainers.
• Participants work as therapist with each other and present theoretical discussion of work with consultation and supervision from Core GATLA Trainers.
• Provide daily therapy for participants from other groups
• Provide supervision for Basic/Advanced participants in trios and quartets as well as providing daily live supervision to other MasterClass participants.   
  
• The opportunity to present and discuss current research, theoretical work or population specific treatment concepts in the spirit of
  collegial seminar.

Evening Programs

Optional evening presentations have been traditionally scheduled wherein both faculty and participants present and discuss their current interests or expertise. The rich and bountiful backgrounds of therapists from 25 different countries and cultures provide an outstanding array of presentations. Other evening activities include singing around the piano, playing guitars, dancing to the music of many countries, arguing theory over a glass of wine, quietly sitting or walking under the stars, telling jokes, etc. In short, we are a wonderful, warm and ongoing community that welcomes new members.

Theory Tracks

Each participant will be asked to choose one of our optional theory tracks (Basic group members will be placed in the Introductory Gestalt Therapy Theory track). Theory tracks may cover clinical, theoretical and/or practical professional issues and are organized so that various presenters are integrated into the overall track emphasis. Each track will have a faculty coordinator. Upon registration, each participant will be sent a list of the theory tracks available and asked for their preferences.

New Theory Track in 2008! Working with Children and Adolescents from a Gestalt Perspective

LED BY LYNN STADLER, M.A. MFT – FOUNDING MEMBER OF THE VIOLET OAKLANDER FOUNDATION

WORKING WITH CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS

Open to those working with children and adolescents and/or those interested in learning to work with this population. In addition to a daily theory presentation, time for hands -on experience is allocated during one of the two hours of trios each afternoon as well as a process group that meets one evening of each three-day module. Participants will have the opportunity to personally explore the therapeutic use of expressive and projective techniques and media such as drawings, clay, sand play work, storytelling, music, puppets, imagery and fantasy, sensory and body work, creative dramatics and therapeutic metaphors.

• The theoretical underpinnings of the Oaklander approach to working with children and adolescents are based on the theory, philosophy and practice of Gestalt Therapy, as well as pertinent aspects of child development.
• This track will facilitate an exploration of the therapy process - beginning with establishing the relationship, and moving on to the issues of contact, strengthening the self, promoting emotional expression and helping children and adolescents to become self nurturing.
• Issues related to therapy such as transference, resistance, assessment and treatment planning,, working with parents, groups and adolescents will be discussed throughout the program.

Additional Theory Track Options:

Each year optional theory tracks are offered, giving participants choices of content areas and levels of depth and complexity. These options will be presented to applicants upon registration for the program.

O.D. Theory Track

For those participants with a background in working in organizational settings, a separate Organizational Development theory track, from a Gestalt perspective, will be run throughout the workshop offering a theoretical perspective as well as consulting about specific case studies. Doug Aberle, M.Eng.Sc. a Gestalt organizational consultant from Perth, Australia, will be leading this track. In 2008 this theory track will be held during one of the two hours of trios to allow participants the opportunity to participate in other theory tracks. Contact us for additional information.

Writers Seminar

By request, we are again offering our optional writers seminar (one or two evenings) designed to provide psychological, emotional, and practical support to participants who are involved, or wish to be involved, in professional writing. Manuscripts should be “in progress” and can range from a detailed outline to an almost completed manuscript. Please let us know on your application if you are interested in participating.