One of those ways has been developed and refined by folks associated with Bob and Rita Resnick and Todd Burley. Starting from just after the era of Fritz Perls (at that time with Bob Resnick and Jan Rainwater, adding Gary Yontef in subsequent years, and with Rita Resnick and Todd Burley becoming very active in the 80's), and continuing until today, the Summer Residentials have developed a definite form and style. Today, there are several training groups around the world that utilize this approach.
The present issue of Gestalt! gives a high profile to the Summer Residentials by GATLA. But it is more than promotional. It has two functions: to profile one of the more significant training forces in the field and to utilize that program as pause to reflect on the approach itself.
In doing this, Gestalt! deviates from a literary tradition and goes fully into individual experience and personal report. The reader is asked to set aside this issue as a traditional journal, and to enter into the world that the Resnicks and Todd Burley have created, to understand what their trainees have experienced, and to reflect on the value of the intensive model.
This deviation is not without its drawbacks; there is no extended intellectual discussion of the theory, principles, or techniques involved with the Summer Residentials, such as one would encounter in an article appearing in a normal journal issue. It may seem that the personal reports are a little too glowing and that there is no balance presenting the negatives; so, the reader is asked to read with critical mind engaged, to argue with the speakers in these various pieces and to evaluate for him or herself what is being said.
The reader is asked to do that in order to support him or herself enough to get beyond first impressions so that a more patient look at the material might be forthcoming. If that is done, then the cumulative effect becomes powerful. There is more going on than might appear in reading just two or three personal reports. These writers bring bits and pieces of their worlds into what they write, so that after reading a number of them, one begins to hear a soft "Wow" forming at the back of one's head.
One begins to grasp the experience of the training intensive itself, to see what those people are doing. That's when it becomes useful to ask questions and to take note. How is it structured? Where does it take place? What do people go through when they attend a residential, and how does that impact their lives, their understanding of Gestalt therapy, and their professional practices?
The design of the program in the Summer Residentials is not unique as far as residential intensives go (see others); however, it has had a very long history, effected a great number of people, and developed into a rich resource and influence.
What comes next? How will whatever that is advance the theory and practice of Gestalt therapy, and how will it stand on the shoulders of the folks who have built the Summer Residentials? Time will tell.
We hope the reader begins to see something of the advantage of training in Gestalt therapy. That comes across in these articles as well. This is not an extended advertisement for GATLA; it is advocacy for Gestalt therapy training. It is perhaps important to note that all of the writers who responded with personal reports for this issue of Gestalt! are presented here; while efforts have been made to clean up some of the spelling and grammar, this has been done with sensitivity to keeping the form of expression which gives cultural distinctiveness to what they say. Furthermore, none were eliminated for effect.
Whether or not one gets training in Gestalt therapy through an intensive residential, or over time through a more accessable Gestalt therapy training institute is not of great importance. That Gestalt therapy training can effect change and prepare one to become an agent of change is. That the community of a Gestalt therapy training group can become like family is. That important personal growth is possible through training in Gestalt therapy is.
