Gestalt Institute of San Francisco

January 27th: Program Introduction - email galia.schechter@gmail.com or call Galia Schechter 510-502-8402

Meet Galia and join us to learn about the particular style and composition of the training modules. Location in TBA

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Dear friends,

Happy new year! 

As co-leaders of the Gestalt Institute of San Francisco we are delighted to announce the launch of our 2020 certificate training program in the art and science of Gestalt approaches to human growth and transformation.  http://www.gestaltinstitute.com/now/

The training program is designed for counselors and psychotherapists in training as well as seasoned mental health professionals and other service professionals. 

The training program will integrate and interweave discussions of theoretical constructs with direct experiential learning of Gestalt Methodology, processes, and therapeutic practices. It will introduce Gestalt as a school of philosophy, psychology and phenomenology and focus the majority of time on direct, experiential, awareness based and process-experiential, embodied skill development. Please see below additional information about the program. We hope you can join us.

Warmly,  

Morgan Goodlander & Galia Schechter

Please see below for program information:

The Gestalt Institute of San Francisco: 2020 Training Program

Program overview:

The Gestalt Institute of San Francisco is delighted to launch its 2020 certificate training program in the art and science of Gestalt approaches to human growth and transformation. The training program is designed for counselors and psychotherapists in training as well as seasoned mental health professionals and other service professionals. The program will offer deep theoretical and experiential learning of guiding principles and processes of Gestalt to those who seek to embody deep presence and knowledge in the service of one's own and others' human potential. 

The training program will integrate and interweave discussions of theoretical constructs with direct experiential learning of Gestalt Methodology, processes, and therapeutic practices. It will introduce Gestalt as a school of philosophy, psychology and phenomenology and focus the majority of time on direct, experiential, awareness based and process-experiential, embodied skill development. 

Program structure: 

The program is based on two learning semesters adding up to a 200 hour certificate of completion. Each semester offers 100 learning hours comprised of 12 weekly 2-hour didactic/practice classes and three weekend-long, non-residential experiential workshops. The weekend workshops are taught and facilitated in the tradition of Gestalt marathon groups and are intensive and personal in nature. Please see a detailed description of the classes and workshops below. 

Program Investment and registration:

Graduate students receive a 15% discount on all registration fees. 

Plan A: Registration for the entire semester (February - May), includes the following:

Twelve weekly 2-hour long classes on Monday evenings 6:30 - 8:30, in Berkeley, CA

3 weekend long non-residential intensive workshops in Mill Valley

28 hours of structured home study

The cost per semester is $1440 or $1240 if paid in full up to three days before the beginning of the semester.  

Plan B: Workshops only

3 weekend long non residential intensive workshops in Mill Valley

Cost is $750 for all three workshops

Plan C: Theory and experiential classes only:

Twelve weekly 2-hour long classes on Monday evenings 6:30-8:30pm In Berkeley

Cost $384 for all 12 classes

Plan D: Pay per class

$40/class

Plan E: Pay per weekend workshop:

$275/workshop

Checks can be written to the Gestalt Institute of San francisco and sent to Galia Schecter at 2429 spaulding ave, Berkeley, ca 94703 or through the paypal to email: lifematrex@gmail.com.  

Additional Registration information:

Registration for the program can be for each semester independently or for the program as a whole. A certificate of completion will only be offered to those completing all 200 hours of training.  For registration or additional inquiries please contact galia.schechter@gmail.com or by phone 510-502-8402

Program leaders and Instructors:

Galia Schechter Psy.D, MBA:

Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Organizational Consultant. 

Galia is an experienced licensed clinical psychologist with a private practice in Berkeley, California where she offers therapeutic services for individuals and couples as related to all areas of life's challenges, transitions, and relational wondings and trauma. She received her doctorate from the Wright Institute in Berkeley, CA, and has dedicated over a decade to teaching and providing clinical therapeutic services in private practice and in community mental health environments to individual adults, couples, families, groups, and organizational communities. She has taught and led therapeutic, supervision and training groups as related to a diverse array of psychotherapeutic content areas and modalities in the San Francisco Bay area and internationally. Galia's area of speciality include the application of Humanistic-Existential, Process experiential, Gestalt, emotion focused, and mindfulness based therapies to a variety of psychological challenges and processes. She is bi-cultural and has worked and traveled in many countries around the world. Her exposure to and appreciation of human differences and similarities across cultures, regions and traditions inspire her life and work. Prior to becoming a psychologist Galia obtained an MBA and worked in organizations in the United States and abroad in the areas of governance, human rights and international development. She is currently serving as a co-leader of the Gestalt Institute of San Francisco. 

Morgan Goodlander, MA, GPW:  

Director Emeritus of the GISF (1997-2016) is an internationally known gestalt trainer and leadership consultant that has worked in 17 countries and for a number of years was the co-director of an inhouse training program for Esalen Institute.  He was six years on the Board of Directors for the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (AAGT) and is an honorary member of numerous Gestalt organizations around the world. His current interest is on integrating deep individual process with context mechanics in organizational development and leadership teams. He is known for his humorous style and deep respect for each individual's process. 

Program Details - Dates and topics:

Program dates: February - May 2020

Program Introduction - Join us for an evening of discussion and exploration of our 2020 training program. The evening is open to all who have registered or are considering registration

This evening will include an overview of the program, its spirit, vision, themes, and learning goals and practices. You will have a chance to meet our main program instructors who will be happy to answer your questions about the program. 

January 27th, 6:30 - 8pm, Berkeley location TBA. Please contact Galia schechter at galia.schechter@gmail.com or 510-502-8402 to RSVP

Evening classes: Monday evenings 6:30 - 8:30 Location: Berkeley. For registered participants:

Monday February 10th:The Gestalt Approach G-THEORY 1

This class covers the origins of the Gestalt Approach along with general milieu and zeitgeist of the times.  Special attention is paid to Fritz Perls background as a psychoanalyst and Laura Perls contributions and grounding in Existentialism as well as the somatic work of William Riech.  Gestalt Psychology is contrasted with General Systems Theory and parallel approaches such as psychodrama, drama therapy, intersubjectivity, Lomi School, and other related systems are touched on.  

Monday, February 17th: The Empty Chair G-THEORY 2

Our primary focus for the evening will be on the intra-personal integration of disowned parts and how that is carried out through projective-dialogue and proprioceptive-repostioning.  We will demonstrate how moving from chair-to-chair strengthens the projective and integrative processes as well as how to recognize when a client has already moved from one part to the next and a natural polarity is showing itself in the clients psyche. This evening will show the nuts and bolts of the process. 

Monday, February 24th:Relational Gestalt  G-THEORY 3

Here and Now - I and Thou will be the topic. Particular emphasis will be on how to use presence and contact as a relational bridge to the intersubjective field and how to recognize the formation of the phenomenological gestalt between client and therapist. The client's therapeutic needs will be discussed in relational to the therapist's capacity to be present and attuned. Lots of practical  information on how to meet the client and get a sense of what the client is "pulling for” will be included as well as how what is traditionally called counter-transference evokes the therapist's defenses. Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience confluence in themselves and others. 

Monday, March 2nd:Gestalt Dreamwork G-THEORY 4

Unlike the Freudian approach where dreams are seen as wish fulfilment, the Gestalt approach emphasizes the dream as an existential message. The client is every part of the dream from form and color to object and function. Gestalt identification techniques will be explored to expand awareness and bring the dream into the here and now relational field. Participants will learn to shuttle back and forth between the dream and the relational present receiving important existential messages and discovering their unmet needs.  Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience confluence in themselves and others. 

Monday March 9th:Confluence G-THEORY 5

The boundary between self and other is essential for growth and maturity. This class will focus on the recognition of difference as a road to contact and authenticity. The infantile demand for sameness will be contrasted with the mature sense of a boundaried-self that can tolerate the existential terror of being an individual and support authentic difference rather than reactionary rebellion. Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience confluence in themselves and others. 

Monday, March 16th:Introjection G-THEORY 6

The tendency to swallow information whole and accept experience without proper assimilation is often forced on us from early childhood. Primary caregivers, educators and society-at-large tend to invade our psyches before we can take the time to sort out our personal experiences and opinions. The result is a fragmented psyche where accepting the perspectives of others is traded for authentic feeling and expression. We do what we "should do” rather than what we feel is truly appropriate for us. We trade our own integrity and authenticity for the acceptance and love of stronger ego forces. Our personal compass is exchanged for the internalized morality and judgement of the group. This class focuses on identifying and reintegrating introjected conflicts and psyche splits. Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience introjection in themselves and others. 

Monday, March 23rd: Deflection G-THEORY 7

At times we all change the subject, forget what we were talking about, can't remember the issue, or conveniently don't understand the other - even when it is totally obvious. Unconsciously: forgetting, denying, disagreeing, misdirecting, pretending, lying, and confusing, all can be deflection tactics to gas-light ourselves or blame others. Of course the worst deflections are the ones we play on ourselves so we don't have to face what we really are feeling. Deflection is the first and most often used tactic when we can't tolerate our experience and want to make it about someone or something else. This evening we will identify our preferred methods of deflection. How we escape into the past or the future and what interventions we can employ to bring ourselves back to the present. Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience deflection in themselves and others. 

Monday, March 30th: Retroflection G-THEORY 8

I do to myself what I want to do to you. Retroflection means to "turn back against.” Rather than take the risk to support my own experience, I take my introjections and turn them upon myself. I hate myself for being different than you want me to be. It is  an "I am the problem vs you are the problem” polarity. In "projection” you are the problem. In "retroflection” I am the problem. We see the neurosis in the inauthentic stance that negates the relationship and wants to assign blame to one side or the other. The relationship is forgotten as judgement and blame take center stage. In the extreme this becomes shame as in " I am not worthy of existing next to you.” I have done wrong becomes I am wrong.   Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience retroflection in themselves and others. 

Monday, April 6th:Projection G-THEORY 9

 "If only people would get there shit together my life would be so much better. Everything I feel is about you, and what you are causing to happen to me, rather than about how I am responding. My life and how I feel is because of you. You are the cause. I am the victim.” This also happens in reverse: I am the cause and you are the victim. "you feel just as I feel. I cause you because you are an extension of me. Don't deny it! I know you really feel like me but can't accept it.”  Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience Projection in themselves and others. 

Monday, April 13th:Unfinished Business G-THEORY 10

The whole Gestalt theory is based on the clients perceptual-emotional completion of bio-energetic movement toward life giving sources in the environmental surround. When our natural movement toward health and well-being is interrupted neurosis starts to develop. This evening will focus on recognizing and remobilizing interruptions in self-experience. The five primary Contact Boundary Disturbances will be emphasized along with the manipulations that often accompany them. Participants will be encouraged to explore their own unfinished business and opportunities for remobilization. Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience unfinished business in themselves and others. 

Monday, May 4th:The Power Authenticity G-THEORY 11

Awareness, alignment, and expression of our unaltered subjective experience supports well-being, strengthens relationships, and builds vitality like no other behavior. Without connection to what we truly feel and think, our inner compass has no north, and we soon fall into neurotic disorientation. This segment focuses on expanding our awareness of the mechanisms by which we repress our authenticity and how we can reverse the process in ourselves and others. Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience authenticity in themselves and others. 

Monday, May 18th:The Gestalt of Completion G-THEORY 12

A review of all the material covered in the previous eleven classes will be covered along with how we as a group will integrate and use what we have learned. Topics covered will be our grand narratives for the training quarter, how we each relate to saying goodbye, and some process-time for any appreciation or regret (unfinished business) that may be lurking under the surface. While our class time is limited we will encourage as much authentic expression as possible. Practical exercises and clear interventions will be offered for participants to directly experience completion in themselves and others. 

Weekend workshops: 

Non residential, Saturday and Sunday 10am - 5pm each day. Mill Valley location. 

Workshop 1: March 13th - March 14th: The Empty Chair

Leaders: Morgan Goodlander & Galia Schechter

The Empty Chair is the technique that made Gestalt Therapy famous. It is so powerful that even a brief introduction can be enough for psychology professionals to find significant value for their practice. Unfortunately, most just take the low hanging fruit and never really learn how to properly use the process or really understand what is happening in the deeper levels. This weekend is a deep dive into the nuts and bolts of the Empty Chair and how it is used to integrate disowned parts, finish unfinished business, identify splitting, work with polarities, and mirror blind spots in awareness. Significant time will be spent on when the process is most valuable and when a more relational stance would be better or provide additional support. This workshop forms the background for the Relational Gestalt workshop on May 30th. The two workshops together will provide a strong understanding of both intra-personal and inter-personal gestalt process as one might use them in relation to trauma or other extreme states. Participants can expect to learn valuable tools to work with their clients intrapersonally. This workshop is 80% experiential and 20% theoretical. 

Workshop 2: April 25th  - April 26th: Gestalt & Trauma

Leader: Galia Schechter:

At the heart of most psychological and spiritual trauma is often a core experience of disconnect from the flow of life, and a sense of the self as deficient and separate. In fact, one of the greatest human paradoxes manifests in the way our deep longing for love, acceptance, and belonging coexist with our individual and collective wounding of self judgment and self alienation, all too often perpetuated by powerful cultural conditions of worth. It is often our deep desire to belong and be accepted that leads us to suppress and contract against contact with parts of our self that we perceive as "bad" "unwelcome" and "shameful". And yet, it is the process of exiling and rejecting the self that unintentionally contributes to unnecessary human suffering and disconnect from our true nature. Perhaps the greatest antidote to such self alienation is the experience of self-compassion and awareness of common humanity. To authentically embody self compassion is to awaken a direct knowing that our inner experiences, however feared or "dark" or "shameful" are shared universally, and that in fact all of our experiences point to a fundamental longing for love, belonging and the freedom that are shared by all.  This workshop will invite participants to explore individual, familial and intergenerational trauma in the Gestalt spirit of loving kindness and compassion by engaging with Gestalt informed inquiry and Here and Now, emboawareness based practices and process experiential individual and group based healing work. 

Workshop 3: May 30th  - May 31st: Relational Gestalt

Leaders: Galia Schechter & Morgan Goodlander

"Here and Now, I and Thou”  is Gestalt Therapy's primary mantra. This workshop goes beyond the intrapsychic process of the Empty Chair to reach out into relational space and make another gestalt maxim " Contact is Curative” come to life in the ongoing presence of the group. Group participants will learn to shuttle between the inside and the outside, between contact and isolation, between seeing and being seen, hearing and being heard. A here and now phenomenological stance will be presented to help practitioners somatically identify projective and transferential issues while at the same time leveraging the unfinished business of the client into the present relational situation.  The experience of "we” vs "I” will be explored and the development of a new awareness of an inter-subjective field will be encouraged. Participants will move beyond individualism and work to discover a co-created "moment of healing " where health becomes a relational state rather than an individual act of maturity. Participants can expect to learn valuable tools to work with their clients relationally. This workshop is 80% experiential and 20% theoretical.