As I read the brochures, web postings, e-mails and various articles that come to me from the world of Gestalt therapy, I am struck with how many times I am seeing the word “Relational” in the titles describing “Relational Gestalt,” "Relational Gestalt Therapy,” or “a relational approach.” At my own institute we are teaching a relational model of Gestalt therapy and advertise “Relational Gestalt Therapy” as our specialty.

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"We teach a particular approach, one that we have come to call "relational Gestalt Therapy." Relational Gestalt therapy is taught systematically and is interwoven into the experiential part of the program. Some of our programs attempt to cross fertilize with contemporary psychoanalysis, which has also been a leader in the development and elaboration of relational themes in the therapy process." Consult our website for a more complete description of our approach and training opportunities.

• To extend the Gestalt discipline for use in a broad range of human activities, such as family and organizational life, community development, education, and the furtherance of physical and spiritual well being.
• To enhance the theory and application of Gestalt psychotherapy worldwide.
• To assist in the development and dissemination of an international body of literature to support the above aims.

As a descriptor, I find the word lacking. It neither describes these “new” approaches nor does it identify a difference from something taught in the past. Or does it? Why is there a need to put this word in front of our precious “Gestalt therapy” in describing workshops and training programs? Since I am both skeptic and culprit I will choose to defend the use of the word “Relational” and welcome further dialogue.

Gestalt therapy IS changing. The emergence of large membership organizations like EAGT, AAGT, and GANZ is one way our various biases towards certain aspects of our theory are shared and incorporated into the work of colleagues many miles away. Other developments contributing to this homogenization include the proliferation of Gestalt therapy journals and the explosion of Gestalt therapy material and dialogue on the Internet. The general effect of globalization of virtually everything offers one explanation for the rapid introduction of this term “relational.” This rather nebulous term has also found its way into other corners of the broader psychotherapy world, psychoanalytic work and feminist psychology to name a few.

The word does communicate a subset of Gestalt therapy theory by its very definition: “characterized or constituted by relations.” From this I can surmise an approach that will emphasize Buber’s contributions to our theory and focus on interacting with others. “Relational” holds a different connotation than descriptors such as “experimental” or “field theoretical.” Perhaps there is the implication of a level of empathy or willingness to engage, expanded by Gary Yontef (1999): “Relational Gestalt therapy has moved to an attitude that includes more support, more emphasis on kindness and compassion in therapy, and that combines sustained empathic inquiry with crisp, clear and relevant awareness focusing.”

As I strive to express to the global Gestalt community what I do, I am finding that the word offers a hint that my work will present a particular focus. Perhaps this is an attempt to share similarities. Those of us claiming this approach meet and find common ground. Could it be that our fears of unhealthy confluence might be set aside a bit by agreement that we share a common emphasis on a particular subset of our theory?

Perhaps Gestalt therapy is taking a path similar to much of American culture - moving from a position of over-valuing "rugged individualism" to one of appreciating the individual in relationship to others. “You do your thing and I’ll do mine” is passe and inappropriate for a generation of latchkey kids left to do their “own thing” day-in and day-out. In other words, learning to “wipe your own ass” (another of Fritz’s pearls) isn’t so appealing today as it was post-1950s. In the aftermath of the twentieth century, a period where individuation has been valued and elevated to a point of alienation, integrating long forgotten and unaware longings for relationships that actively satisfy interpersonal needs is an apt focus for Gestalt therapy. “Maturation” may warrant redefinition as the ability to connect with environmental support in the midst of such a diverse, chaotic and global culture. My own (1998) inquiry of Gestalt therapists at AAGT’s 1997 conference supports the desire for community as second only to “contact/connection/immediacy” among Gestalt therapists themselves.

The more traditional Gestalt therapy model is concerned with the whole field: the person’s inner experience, the give and take of living in the world, and the therapeutic relationship itself. This veltanshuung has long separated Gestalt therapy from reductionist psychotherapy approaches. We have often found our niche in the psychotherapy community through “bio-speak” (e.g., “organism in the environment” or “organismic self-regulation”) and pseudo-scientific analogies (e.g., “experiment”). The lens of Relational Gestalt therapy narrows the therapeutic scope to the realm of interpersonal relationships and interpersonal need.

I find a breath of fresh air when I focus on you and I and the needs of relationships, present and past, that loom large in my consulting room. In a sense this view is fundamental phenomenology. It is also congruent with the “bio-speak” model: what is often most figural for any sentient organisms are conspecifics present in the immediate environment. Since I am not a scientist I am choosing to lose the jargon and adopt the stance that, since relationships are primary in anyoneís experience, the therapy relationship will be primary and will evoke unfinished business from past primary relationships. And this will be the work!


Bowman, C.E. (1998) Definitions of Gestalt therapy: Finding common ground. Gestalt R
eview, 2(2): p. 97-107.

Yontef, G. (1998) Preface to the 1998 German edition. Awareness, dialogue and process: Highland, NY: The Gestalt Journal

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France - July 200I

• Renate BECKER
• Lilian FRAZÃO
• Philip LICHTENBERG
• Michael Vincent MILLER
• Peter PHILIPPSON
• Jean-Marie ROBINE
• Margherita SPAGNUOLO-LOBB
• Gary YONTEF

Gestalt therapy has by now become a worldwide phenomenon.  People from a broad variety of cultures and divergent perspectives have expanded the possibilities for both theory and practice of Gestalt therapy.

In response, a group of leading Gestalt therapists from around the world has formed a new international network.  We are now announcing the first of our summer programs.  The program offers a unique opportunity for advanced training in Gestalt therapy.  

The faculty consists of well-known, highly experienced trainers and writers who have contributed to the furthering of Gestalt therapy theory.  We come from six countries in Europe, North and Latin America.  Among our purposes:  (1) To help establish and strengthen a common ground for Gestalt-therapy, consistent with the legacy of our founders, while embracing a range of contemporary developments and innovative methodologies.  (2) To help Gestalt therapists increase their theoretical and clinical sophistication.

The program is designed primarily for established Gestalt therapists throughout the world who already work as teachers, supervisors, or practitioners.  As space permits there may be openings for those with less experience and training in Gestalt therapy, depending on their overall qualifications.  The program will provide opportunities to experiment with and reflect on different approaches to Gestalt therapy theory and practice while learning them from those who have played an important part in developing them.  

The workshop format will invite intellectual and experiential dialogue. It will aim to encourage interaction around differences.  There will be meetings and activities involving the whole learning and teaching community, as well as small group work (theory, experiential work, consultation, and supervised practice).  There may also be an opportunity for participants to present or share their own work if they so desire.

We intend to present this program every year from now on during the second half of July in different parts of the world.

• LANGUAGE
  
  • English.  Some communities may come with their own interpreter. Thus, a Mexican group could plan to come with a Spanish > < English translator. Let us know your plans.
• PARTICIPANTS
  • The summer program will be limited to 80 students with 8 staff. We expect demand to be high, and encourage you to book early.
  • Some scholarships may be available (Send a letter in support of your application).
  • The Institute welcomes students regardless of gender, race, age, disability, sexuality, political or religious affiliation.  We ask that students be equally accepting of difference.
• TRAINING FORMATS
  • Theoretical seminars with faculty members.
  • Meetings of the whole community.
  • Small groups. (Theory and experiential)
  • Consultation, practice with supervision
  • Contributions from participants: Some trainees will have the option of presenting their own work -related to the topics of the year - through mini-lectures or other formats. To apply for this option, please send a half-page description to the faculty.
• DOCUMENTATION
  • A collection of articles and/or chapters (in English) from faculty members will be sent in advance to each participant in order to contribute to a shared ground for the forthcoming new figures.
• PLACE
  • The 2001 summer program will take place in southern France, near Montpellier and the Mediterranean, with wild beautiful landscapes, in a wonderful old hamlet made up for such workshops with large working rooms, swimming-pool, etc.
• DATES
  • 3 days workshop — 1 day-off — 3 days workshop — 1 day-off — 3 days workshop.
  • 2001, from July 19 (morning) to July 29 afternoon.
• PROGRAM  FEES
  • Full payment before Dec 31, 2000 :  US $  1200
  • Full payment between Jan 1, 2001 & April 30 : US $  1350
  • Full payment after May 1, 2001 : US $  1500
  • Monthly payments may be organized in advance for people who prefer it : full payment : US $  1500, deadline May 1, 2001. Some partial scholarships available.
  • To be paid to IFGT – 87 cours d’Albret – F. 33000 BORDEAUX
      - International Money Order
      - Visa / Mastercard (only using the secure server on the Web : www.gestalt-ifgt.com) (available : autumn 2000)
• ACCOMMODATION
  • According to your choice and availability, you may have single rooms, 2 people rooms, 3/4 people, bungalows for one or two in the forest, or use your own tent. Accomodation will be paid directly there : from $ 35 to 60 per full day (food and accomodation), according to your choice and availability.
• FACULTY (Coordination : Jean-Marie ROBINE)
  • Renate BECKER
    • PhD, Gestalttherapist, trainer and supervisor for more than 15 years.  She is a founder member of Gestalt Institute Midlands UK, and the International Gestalt Therapy Association.  She is currently working both in Germany and GB and editor of the German Gestalttherapie. She has published articles in English and German and one of her main interests is philosophy and gender.
  • Lilian MEYER FRAZÃO
    • Gestalt therapist for more than 25 years, being one of the pioneers in this approach in Brazil. Teacher and supervisor at the Psychology Institute of University of São Paulo since 1974, teacher and member of the Gestalt Department of Instituto Sedes Sapientiae since 1980. Lecturer and visiting trainer for several training programs throughout Brazil. Consultant for two Brazilian Gestalt journals. Has published many articles in Gestalt and other journals and has written introductions to Brazilian and translated books on Gestalt Therapy. Founding member and director of Centro de Estudos de Gestalt de SP. Member of FORGE (Fédération Internationale des Organismes de Formation à la Gestalt) and founding member of the International Gestalt Therapy Association.
  • Philip LICHTENBERG
    • Ph.D. is Mary Hale Chase Professor Emeritus of Bryn Mawr College (Pennsylvania, USA) where he taught over 36 years. He is Co-Director of the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Philadelphia and Associate member of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy. He has published 7 books, the most recent being Community and Confluence ; Undoing the Clinch of Oppression and (with Janneke van Beusekom and Dorothy Gibbons) : Encountering Bigotry : Befriending Projecting Persons in Everyday Life. He has also published numerous monographs, articles and chapters. He is on the editorial boards of the Gestalt Journal, Gestalt Review, and the Journal of Progressive Human Services.
  • Michael Vincent MILLER
    • Ph.D., has practiced and taught Gestalt therapy in Boston, Massachusetts since 1972. He was on the faculty of Stanford University for four years and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for six years.  He was the co-founder and, for many years, co-director of the Boston Gestalt Institute.  He currently teaches Gestalt therapy in many countries. Recently he co-founded the International Gestalt Therapy Association.  He has been on the editorial board of The Gestalt Journal for more than twenty years, has published numerous articles and chapters on Gestalt therapy and related matters, as well as written the introductions to new editions of the works of Perls, Goodman, and others.  He has also been a frequent book reviewer for The New York Times Book Review. His own book, Intimate Terrorism, has appeared in eight languages.
  • Peter PHILIPPSON
    • M.Sc. is a founder member of Manchester Gestalt Centre, Teaching & Supervising Member of Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute (UK) and an Associate Member of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy. He is author of Self in Relation pub. Gestalt Journal Press, co-author “ Gestalt: Working with Groups ” pub. Manchester Gestalt Centre, and many articles in British, American, Canadian, Australian and Spanish Gestalt Journals. He is a father and a student and teacher of Aikido.
  • Jean-Marie ROBINE
    • Psy. Dipl. since 1967, chairman of the Institut Français de Gestalt-thérapie. Teaches Gestalt Therapy in numerous countries. Past-president of European Association for Gestalt Therapy. Editor of Cahiers de Gestalt-thérapie and of a collection of Gestalt Therapy books. Author of many articles published in French, British, American, Canadian, Australian, Polish, Russian, German, Dutch, Italian, Mexican and Spanish Gestalt Journals. He also authored 3 books about Gestalt therapy, translated or being translated in several languages. Member of the editorial board of several foreign Gestalt Journals, of the Collège de Gestalt-thérapie, and founding member of the International Gestalt Therapy Association.
  • Margherita SPAGNUOLO-LOBB
    • Gestalt therapy trainer since 1979, she leads, together with G. Salonia, the Istituto di Gestalt in Italy, accredited by the Italian Ministry of Universities. She teaches Gestalt therapy all over Italy and is invited trainer in France, Spain, Greece, Israel, Holland, Germany, Sweden, USA, Argentina. She wrote a book on Psychology of Personality and many articles on Gestalt therapy. She is currently working at the development of Gestalt therapy theory and practice under the hermeneutic perspective. She is the editor of the international journal in English : Studies in Gestalt Therapy and of the Italian journal Quaderni di Gestalt and member of the editorial Board of Gestalt Review and of the Australian Gestalt Journal. She is active in Europe in the political and governamental recognition of the profession of psychotherapist. She has been President of the European Association for Gestalt Therapy since 1996 - rielected in 1999. In this role, she organized the 6th European Conference of Gestalt Therapy (Palermo, October 1998) and is supporting, among other activities, the European Conference of Gestalt Therapy Writers, which will take place in March 2001.
  • Gary YONTEF
    • Ph.D., Fellow of the Academy of Clinical Psychology, and Diplomate in Clinical Psychology (ABPP) and Clinical Social Work, has been a Gestalt therapist since training with Frederick Perls and James Simkin in 1965. Formerly on the UCLA Psychology Department Faculty and Chairman of the Professional Conduct Committee of the L.A. County Psychological Association, he is in private practice in Santa Monica, California. He has been President and for 18 years was chairman of the faculty of the Gestalt Institute of Los Angeles, is an Editorial Board member of The Gestalt Journal, and Editorial Advisor of the British Gestalt Journal. Recently he has co-founded, along with Lynne Jacobs, Ph.D., an institute of contemporary Gestalt Therapy, The Gestalt Therapy Institute of the Pacific (GTIP). He has written numerous articles and chapters on Gestalt therapy theory, practice, and supervision and is the author of Awareness, Dialogue and Process: Essays on Gestalt Therapy, which has also been published in Spanish, German, Portugese, and Czech.