AAGT Special Interest Groups

The interest groups are an essential part of the fertile ground of AAGT, which is deeply committed to the principles of inclusiveness and dialogue as it helps its members grow. To this end they've been set up as vehicles through which individuals can share their ideas, talents, and concerns about Gestalt therapy. Two new groups have recently formed, one on Gestalt Therapy and Dreamwork and the other on Internet Involvement and Utilization. These two groups, from inner space to the world wide web, reflect the range of interests among the members of AAGT.

Dreamwork and Gestalt Therapy

Susan Jurkowski, chair, 2 Flower Hill Place, 2nd floor, Port Washington, NY 11050 (516) 883-7354 or (212) 472-0145.

This interest group is open to anyone who has special interest in and experience with dreams and dreamwork. Let's explore how dreams can be useful in single dream consult, dream groups or workshops, and in enhancing and illuminating an ongoing therapy process. We will also share our ideas and experiences in working with dreams from a Gestalt perspective and from other theoretical perspectives that may be relevant to Gestalt theory and therapy.

Internet Involvement and Utilization

Chair Open

The Internet is a powerful tool. It's an amazing, global connection of individuals from diverse fields of interest, culture, and nationality. People in this interest group work on ways of investigating and appropriating the resources of the Internet to enhance AAGT and to facilitate training and practice, to build community, to satisfy our curiosity about the world in which we live, and to utilize this medium to influence in behalf of Gestalt therapy theory and practice.

Gestalt Therapy In Academia and Higher Education

Iris Fodor, co-chair, 110 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012, (212) 982-0177, email ief1@is.nyu.edu; Paul Schoenberg, co-chair, 134 Hillcrest St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (216) 296-8313, Fax (216) 296-4494.

The Academic and Higher Education interest group is a gestalt network for students and faculty in colleges and universities. Our goal is to build a foundation for Gestalt teaching and learning within academic settings. One project underway is a directory of Gestalt faculty and courses and programs at colleges and another is building a network of students. The Research Interest Group has been reformed as a committee of this interest group, and we're seeking a chair, or co-chair, to help lead it. Iris will be stepping down as co-chair at the end of June, and we welcome nominations for her position as well.

Women's Issues in Gestalt Therapy

Ruth Wolfert, co-chair, 200 E. 32nd. St., #33E, New York, NY 10016 (212)889-5909 and Cynthia Cook, co-chair, 80 East 11th St. #516, New York, NY 10003 (212) 477-3225.

This group is interested in the ways in which feminism and Gestalt therapy can enhance one another. The focus of this group is on the interface of Gestalt therapy and feminism. The principle theme is the response of women to the conflicts around them. Instead of only interpreting our experience through the lense of Gestalt therapy theory, it looks at our theory and practice through the lense of the lives of women. It also serves as a voice for the concerns of women in the organization of AAGT.

Professional Training, Certification, and Practice

Rick Carson, chair, 7424, Greeneville Ave., #113, Dallans, TX 75231 (214) 363-0788.

Professional training is the overriding interest of this group. We are currently receiving and tabulating responses to our Training Questionnaire. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact Rick Carson at the above address. We're currently looking for someone who'd like to help as co-chair.

Gestalt Training Institutes Laison

Morgan Goodlander, M.A.

This interest group provides opportunities for the AAGT members to exchange ideas about the various ways in which training programs are organized and what teaching approaches are used. The underlying question is what relation these models and approaches may have to the theory and practice of Gestalt therapy. The group is also interested in laying the goundwork for inter - institute communication and cooperation, and for having regional training conferences.

Gestalt Theory Development and Philosophy

Chair Open

The Theory Development committee of the AAGT is devoted to the exploration of the numerous issues in the theory of Gestalt therapy, and to the further development and extensioin of that theory. Some members have participated with each other in theoretical dialogues, while others have preferred to participate by observing these dialogues.

Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Issues and Gestalt Therapy

Allan Singer, chair, 264 Beacon Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA 021176 (617) 266-2240.

This interest group provides a froum for an individual to (1) develop awareness, understanding, and sensitivity within AAGT membership and among the broader Gestalt commuity to gay, lesbain, and bisexual concerns, (2) increase clinical competience in working with people across the span of sexual orientation, with particular interest in the application of Gestalt therapy theory and practice with gay, lesbian, and bisexual populations, and (3) consider how issues of interest to the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community may be included in AAGT programming, as well asto actively represent these ideas and seek inclusion through participation in the AAGT organizational structure.

Ecological Dimensions of Gestalt Therapy

Bill Cahalan, chair, 601 Enright Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45205 (513) 251-2558, Gloria Bleezard, co-chair, 8235 Santa Monica Blvd., #311, West Hollywood, CA 90046 (213) 656-0125.

Our group began at the 1994 Toronto Conference. Our goal has been to facilitate informal communication among members about ways each of us is articulating the ecological dimensions of Gestalt therapy, both in our theorizing as well as in therapy, workshops, and with other clients. In January 1996 we sent out a request for a description of relevant activities and interests in order to devleop a member's directory. We're encouraging members to submit articles to the Gestalt Journal in response to the Spring 1996 issue, which presented the theme of ecopsychology.

Gestalt Therapy and Social Change

Oscar Bearinger, chair. Box 272, Eganville, Ontario, Canada, KOJ 2AO (613)757-2130, Fax (613) 628-3145 Wednesdays only, 9-4.

The focus of this group is on the theme of personal support in the field of social change. This group is comprised of people from diverse communities who are sharing some of their personal experiences and activities in social change. Ther are folks involved in alternative schools, teaching singing, community work with older people, group treatment with men who abuse/assault women, and many other activities, especially with voluntary and non-government groups and organizations. There is something about Gestalt therapy and the experimental relationship between the organism (individual, social group, class, etc.) and the environment that speaks fundamentally to a process of social change.

Gestalt Community Development, Networking, and Support

Steve Stein, chair, 1201 30th St. N.W., Canton, OH 44709 (216)677-9322, Fax (216) 492-3454; Nancy Kiracofe, co-chair, 446 Hogarth Ave., Niles, OH 44446 (216) 652-6451..

The aim of this group is to come back again and again in the experiencing of our theory in our present contacting. In the on-going process this group wants to be very careful in setting philosophical ground firmly and solidly. It wants to build enough safety intot the structure to keep the design in shape. It wants to maintain the value of honoring so many people's input, to include everyone in our process, to hear diverse views, and to follow a design that holds to consensus.

These are the new members of the GCDNS committee. They look forward to hearing from any other AAGT members interested in corresponding with them. The new members from outside the USA are especially eager to know how they can participate given their geographical distance from others. If you have any suggestions, please write to them:

Training Materials Development

Bud Feder, chair, 51A Upper Montclair Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07043 (201) 746-6815, Fax (201) 746-2331.

The Training Materials Development Interest Group is a forum for the distribution of Gestalt training materials. After surveying Gestalt training institutes for relevant information, the group members are involved with developing a directory of training resources (videotapes, audiotapes, typescripts, training syllabi) which will be made avialable to the broader Gestalt community.

Philosophy and Purpose

Chair Open.

This interest group serves to investigate AAGT's formation and development, attending to the shaping of our community, with a lively desire to base the means of our associating on pricniples consistent iwth Gestalt theory. It looks at how AAGT built the community so far and at ways to associate with other communities that draw on Gestalt. In its ongoing process this group will see that the philosophical ground is firmly and solidly set in the organization's undertakings.

Integrating Other Theories Into Gestalt

Irv Gadol, chair. 12800 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, TX 75230, (214) 661-5296, fax (214) 661-0147.

This group is devoted to discussing and examining key concepts in other theories with the aim of potentially integrating them into Gestalt psychotherapy practice and theory. It has been a traditioin in Gestalt to integrate parts of other theories to creat a more effective whole, according to Perls. It's still a viable approach that might stimulate all of us as we contribute to the ongoing discussion.

Gestalt Applications to Diverse and Special Populations

Carl Hodges, chair. 937 President St., IA, Brooklyn, NY 11215, (718) 622-0355

The aim of this group is to work on the issue of diversity and special populations. The word "diversity" leaves out the power issue and labeling. It is a powerful thing to label someone else as different and give him/her a pre-configured social identity; or for an individual to take on a pre-configured social identity in compliance, or defiance. When working with certain populations considered "diverse" or "special," the therapist must be concerned with what is the implied as "norm," or "regular." The social, political, and cultural norms become inextricably parts of the social self and person gestalten in each individual client down to the level of language and bodyspace. They effect personality (self-image), the style of contacting, the course of therapy, the illusion of authority, and the necessity of agression.

Gestalt Therapy With Children

Joan Benevento, chair. 400 East 58th Street, New York, NY 10022, (212) 486-1581 (718) 990-1569

The group is for those who are interested in using Gestalt concepts and methods with children. This is an opportunity to bring solidariity to all the efforts that are being made by Gesalt community members on behalf of children. It is a networking system for those who work with children to help establish, nationlaly and internationally, Gestalt therapy as a serious theoretical approach in child treatment.

Watchdog and Braking Committee

Chair Open

This interest group is committed to having AAGT honor the input of all people by including them in its process and hearing diverse views. Through respect for differences and taking time to stay with conflict, this group encourages members to experience again and again Gestalt theory in present contacting. It aims to follow a design that holds to consensus.

Somatics and Gestalt Therapy

Cynthia Cook, chair. 80 East 11th St. #516, New York, NY 10003, (212), 477-3225.

Body-based work is integral to our theory but not always addressed in Gestalt therapy training programs. With so many somatic modalities now available and being used by Gestalt therapists, it is imprtant to develop a picture of how we integrate these techniques in our work. This interest group exists to provide support and contact, help identify clinical issues particular to this work, articulate Gestalt somatic theory and advocate for its importance in the larger Gestalt community. By pooling our efforts and experiences we can help Gestalt work evolve in this area. This group continues an inofrmal investigation of the ways in which Gestalt therapists are assimilating somatic modalities into their practices.