We offer here information on the 50th anniversary conference of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy (NYIGT), the Fourth International Conference for Gestalt Therapy for Gestalt Australia and New Zealand (GANZ), and the seventh International Conference for Gestalt Therapy of the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (AAGT).

Gstalt-L, An email discussion group devoted to Gestalt therapy and the community of its practitioners (www.g-gej.org/gstalt-l).
Gstalt-J, An email discussion group devoted to research on Gestalt therapy, theory and practice (www.g-gej.org/gstalt-j). Supported by the Gestalt Research Consortium (GRC) (www.g-gej.org/grc). Gestalt Bookmarks, a place to begin researching the field of contemporary Gestalt therapy on the world wide web (www.g-gej.org/gestaltbookmarks).

NYIGT

The New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy (http://www.newyorkgestalt.org/) emerged in 1952 from a group of psychotherapists, psychoanalysts, social activists, and other intellectuals and artists attracted to the work of Fritz and Laura Perls, and Paul Goodman. For 50 years, the NYIGT has helped shape Gestalt therapy. Today it is an internationally recognized psychotherapeutic modality. The Institute continues to thrive with a membership committed to creating, developing, and living Gestalt therapy. This conference is a celebration of our 50th anniversary and an invitation for all to join our community. Immerse yourself in the elaboration of Gestalt therapy as it is developing among the members of the New York Institute; explore how we in the US and Europe are building on the New York model; investigate key concepts including field, contacting, and self through didactics, experiments, demonstrations, task groups, process groups and large group interactions. Experience the unity of theory/practice as we destructure and re-create Gestalt therapy through the here-and-now life of the conference. Enjoy yourself as we hear about the 50 year history of the NYIGT through anecdotes, reminiscences, and personal tales. Celebrate the continuing life of our teaching/learning community. Join us at a Saturday dinner/dance honoring the 50th anniversary of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy and the publication of Perls, Hefferline, and Goodman’s seminal work, Gestalt Therapy, Excitement and Growth in the Human Personality.

GANZ

Drawn from the roots, history, and intention of GANZ (Gestalt Australian and New Zealand) this conference aims:

• to provide incentive for local, national and international participants to meet and share as a community
• to promote the Gestalt therapy approach at its diverse best
• to showcase Sydney and surrounds
• to offer a fun-filled and relaxing environment in which all participants and partners meet freely and easily

This conference will include:

• leading edge presentations and workshops
• community meetings and networking opportunities
• culture, diversity and entertainment
• unique partner program

Details, including a call for proposals, will be following and those interested should frequently consult the GANZ web site.

AAGT

In November of 2002 the AAGT conducted a very successful international conference for Gestalt therapy in Florida. The food was fabulous. The beach was wonderful. The night life was varied and rich. The workshops, plenary meetings, process groups, and community meetings were stimulating. It worked so well, we decided to return to that location for our next conference. At that time we will explore the phenomena of re-creation, of new beginnings, and more specifically, we will investigate how re-creation takes place, about its transforming affect in the field, and how the processes of Gestalt therapy might be purposefully employed in each.

The AAGT welcomes all those who were with us in 2002 in Florida, and we invite all those who were not. AAGT members and old friends, visitors, and inquisitive guests - all are invited and welcome to contribute to the making of community at our seventh international conference.

A formal call for proposals, including registration information for the conference itself and appropriate procedures for reserving rooms at the hotel, will follow our June annual meetings. Please keep watching the AAGT web page for these things (http://www.aagt.org), as well as the AAGT Newsletter and email traffic from Gestalt practitioners around the world. Announcements and further information will also be available on-line through the virtual Gestalt community of Gstalt-L (http://www.g-g.org/gstalt-l), the electronic journal Gestalt! (http://www.g-g.org/gej),and the traditional, hard copy press such as Gestalt Review, The British Gestalt Journal, and others.

Plan now to attend. Put it on your calendars!

Gestalt Therapy in Russia

Konstantin Pavlov was born in the Ukrane, lives in St . Petersburg and travels through what used to be the Soviet Union to give Gestalt workshops and supervisions and to train and teach students and managers. I met him in June 2002 in St. Petersburg at the Gestalt Conference he organised for about 150 Russians. By giving a workshop and by going to other workshops I got an idea of the work he is doing in this huge country. People were excited and willing to receive my lecture and workshop. When invited to do an awareness experiment, they became completely silent, stretched their backs and did what I asked them. I felt tears coming into my eyes. There I sat with one hundred pair of Russian eyes looking expectantly at me. Apparently open to what I had to offer. Konstantin supported me, sitting beside me , while Katya, a Russian student I knew from Amsterdam, translated from English into Russian and visa versa.

There and then I fell in love with the people and I knew I wanted to keep contact with them. I did that by going back in December, and I gave a three-day workshop to third year students, therapists and trainers who sometimes came from places that needed a three days' journey by train. Again I was impressed by their natural Gestalt approaches. I would have loved to take them all with me and bring them into contact with the Gestalt World in the West of Europe. But okay, I am content already that their inspiration, Konstantin Pavlov, is willing to come to Amsterdam to teach us about "Time, Attention and Sincerity." According to him, "Those three main values are so 'simple and obvious', that it is easy to miss or under value them." Rather, the therapist needs to respect and guarantee them. They are the "needed minimum" for successful humanistic therapy or consultation and they play a main role in everybody's life.

Konstantin Pavlov (32) is director of the East European Gestalt Institute. He has been trained by Gestalt Associates Training, Los Angeles (GATLA) and possesses a University Diploma in Experimental Psychology and Medical Psychology from the State University of St. Petersburg. His scientific interests include Gestalt Psychotherapy, The Pathogenetical Mechanisms of Neurosis and Life Strategy, The Psychology of Temperament and Human Health, The Philosophy of Health, Psychotherapy of Sexual-Based Neurotic Disorders, Methods of Intensive Education: Short Term Programs, Theoretical Relationships among Psychiatry and Different Schools of Psychological Thought.

Cost: 175 Euro
Language: English
Place: De Ruimte, Weesperzijde 79a, 1091 EV Amsterdam
(There are mattresses and showers. One can spend the night if wanted)
Times : Sat 15 February 9.30-21 hrs; sun 16 February 10-17 hrs

Specially for teachers, trainers and counsellors of institutes, agencies and businesses

Monday 17 February 2002 12.30-17 hrs.

If you are interested in talking with Konstantin or if you want to know more about Gestalt in Russia, please come to this meeting, which is meant to exchange ideas, views and thoughts and to find a way to connect the Russian and the West European Gestalt Worlds.

Cost: 50 Euro (inclusive lunch)

Tine van Wijk has been in private practice in Amsterdam since 1988. She is specially interested in working with groups and started a Gestalt training program in 1999. She is a member of the NVAGT, linked to the European Association for Gestalt Therapy and Theory (EAGT), of the VNGN (Flemish Dutch Gestalt Network) and of the AAGT. She was an editor and still regularly writes for Voorgrond, the quaterly magazine for members of the VNGN.