Clinical Fellowship Program
We are offering a hybrid training option, for those who cannot attend classes in person. We will be conducting on-site Friday evening classes for all who are able to attend.
Using a unique combination of lectures, live demonstrations, group seminar discussions, and a clinical internship, the Clinical Fellowship Program provides a theoretical framework which facilitates the integration and understanding of gestalt theory and experiential work.
All courses are required, as specified by level.
Additional Information & Downloads
Our 4-year Clinical Fellowship Program consists of a combination of lecture, demonstration, practicum work and a 3-year clinical internship. Our extensive faculty is devoted to teaching the fundamentals of Gestalt Therapy and Theory with an emphasis on hands-on experiential learning. Training candidates treat clients in our low-fee clinic and develop the beginning of a private practice while training with us and attending weekly supervision with a faculty member. In addition, our clinic is authorized by NYS to provide supervised experience hours to fulfill LCSW, LMSW, LMHC, LCAT, LMFT, PhD, & LP license requirements. Upon graduation, trainees licensed to do so may take their clinic clients into private practice.
Our academic year runs from October through June. Classes take place on 20 Friday evenings from 6-9 p.m. and include a few additional weekend seminars and workshops offered throughout the year.
For those who are interested in studying the underlying theoretical approach to Gestalt Therapy, it is possible to enroll in our Four-Year Academic Program. Training candidates focus on Gestalt Theory, Practicum, and Demonstration, but without the Clinical Internship, and graduate with an Academic Fellowship Certificate.
**LMSWs and LCSWs earn 20-30 NYS-Approved CEU contact hours per academic year, for all courses in the CF Program.
**LMHCs, LCATs, and LMFTs earn 20-30 NYS-Approved contact hours per academic year, for Lifebridge and Weekend Workshops.
Scholarships
During the current Academic year, we are offering a limited number of partial scholarships, with the goal of promoting diversity both in our training program, and in the larger profession of psychotherapy.
To Apply for a Scholarship email scholarships@gestaltassociates.org with a one page (maximum) statement describing how you would bring diversity to GAP, and also how your current economic circumstances indicate the need for a scholarship, including current monthly family income, and monthly payments for housing, childcare, and outstanding student loans. Statements will be kept confidential; please submit applications by 9/7, and we will respond promptly.
To donate to our Scholarship Fund, click the button below:
The “Core” Curriculum
The Core Curriculum is an integral part of each level of training.
Experiential work—including practicum, faculty demonstrations, intensive weekend workshops, and personal therapy–forms the core of our training curriculum.
Practicum: Practicum sessions provide trainees with the opportunity to work as patient or therapist, under the moment-to-moment supervision of a faculty member. During this 2-hour class, students are broken up into small groups and work with each other in patient/therapist dyads, under the observation of a supervisor. The supervisor will intervene as needed, to offer suggestions or to respond to a question posed by the student who is working as therapist. After the completion of each session, issues of transference/countertransference, resistance, diagnosis, and developmental and other psychodynamic issues are analyzed and related to Gestalt theory and to the preceding lecture class. Faculty members for practicum vary from week to week.
Demonstrations by Faculty: Every 4th practicum class, a Faculty member will do a live therapy demonstration with a trainee, in front of small group, providing the opportunity to observe and discuss the application of Gestalt theory to Gestalt therapy practice. Faculty member demonstrations vary, to allow exposure to as many Faculty as possible.
Clinical Experience: Beginning in Level II, trainees will work with clients in our onsite clinic, providing the opportunity for hands-on learning.
Weekend Workshops: Workshops led by Faculty are offered once each year, and provide an intensive training experience in which advanced concepts in Gestalt therapy are explored.
Intensive Training Retreat: In this 4-day intensive workshop, trainees work in practicum/therapists dyads, in both small and large groups, under the observation of a supervisor. As trainees observe each other’s work, in a collegial and supportive atmosphere, the unique individual style of each training therapist is defined and supported.
Individual and Group Therapy: Each trainee’s personal therapy experience provides a first-hand experience of Gestalt therapy and a forum for working through issues that may emerge in the therapist/client relationship.
Level I Coursework
CORE CURRICULUM:
SEMINAR 101: FOUNDATIONS OF GESTALT THEORY & ELEMENTS OF THERAPEUTIC COMMUNICATION AND PROCESS
This course explores the basics of Gestalt Therapy theory & practice, and the structures of interpersonal communication, with an emphasis on the role of how body and language cues, and intuitive information may alter and/or enhance overt communication and reveal unconscious messages and processes. Through lecture, demonstration and discussion, participants will gain experience in how to observe, organize, and utilize information to assess a patient’s level of functioning and direct and enhance therapeutic communication and intervention.
SEMINAR 102: DEVELOPMENTAL THEORY & BASIC INTERVENTION STRATEGIES
This seminar focuses on developmental theory and its practical application to Gestalt Therapy. We will explore techniques, approaches, and interventions designed to engage and systematically develop a client’s presenting issues with the goal of revealing underlying themes and creative adjustments, and their relationship to early developmental experiences.
SEMINAR 103: INTRODUCTION TO INTAKE ASSESSMENT, PSYCHOPATHOLOGY AND DIAGNOSIS
This course outlines the intake process & utilizes the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual as a guide for appropriate diagnosis. With the instructor's supervision, participants conduct practice clinic intake interviews, and submit written intakes. Emphasis is placed on the client’s psychosocial case history, diagnostic assessment, and mental status exam.
SEMINAR 104: INTRODUCTION TO DREAMWORK
This course offers an introduction to Gestalt dreamwork through an exploration of various Gestalt perspectives on dreamwork, including those of Fritz Perls, Isadore From, Erving & Miriam Polster, and Rainette Fantz. We will discuss readings from each of these Gestalt teachers, as well as exploring and working together with course participants' dreams, and engaging in brief dreamwork practicum experiences followed by theoretical discussion.
Level II Coursework
CORE CURRICULUM:
SEMINAR 201: ISSUES IN TREATMENT I
Videotapes are reviewed to demonstrate issues that form the conceptual framework of Gestalt Therapy, how they are operationalized, and the integrative experience of the process. Topics will include: non-verbal observation, defenses/process of interference, support and frustration, layers of the personality/impasse, and therapeutic relationship.
SEMINAR 202: CHARACTER STYLES I
This seminar consists of lectures discussing the contributions of different psychoanalytic and existential theories to develop an understanding of character. We will look at the etiology and treatment of schizoid, oral, and symbiotic character styles, and provide a framework for understanding and treatment of a client's presenting issues.
Level III Coursework
CORE CURRICULUM
SEMINAR 301: CHARACTER STYLES II
Using the different theories of personality discussed in Seminar 202, treatment of several basic personality styles–-narcissistic, masochistic, and rigid–-will be explored through the use of videotape and lectures. Emphasis will be placed on difficult issues that arise in treatment, and participants will be encouraged to use case material to examine both effective and ineffective interventions.
SEMINAR 302: ISSUES IN TREATMENT II: GESTALT THERAPY, THEORY INTO PRACTICE
This course will focus on bringing core Gestalt psychotherapy theoretical concepts into action. Phenomenology, aesthetics, kinesthetic resonance, retroflection, etc. will be elaborated on and practiced experientially together. We will draw from readings by Laura Perls, Michael Vincent Miller, Jean-Marie Robine, Ruella Frank, Gianni Francesetti and others to deepen theoretical concepts. We will use experiential exercises to bring to life each theme of focus.
Level IV Coursework
CORE CURRICULUM:
SEMINAR 401: ADVANCED GESTALT SEMINAR, TRANSFERENCE/COUNTERTRANSFERENCE/INTERSUBJECTIVITY
This course will focus on countertransference/transference and resistance issues. Candidates are taught how to enter and understand the world view of the client from the perspective of Gestalt, intersubjective, existential, and communication theory. Encompassing theorists ranging from Martin Buber to Gianni Francesetti, emphasis will be placed on the contributions of gestalt and existential theorists on the development of a relational theory of psychoanalysis, Case vignettes will be used to identify moments in the therapist/client relationship that clarify or move past resistance and interruptions in contact.
SEMINAR 402: CASE PRESENTATION SEMINAR
Each candidate is required to present a case formulation in Gestalt terms, utilizing a client that has been seen in his/her ongoing supervised caseload for at least one year. A comprehensive research paper summarizing this presentation will be submitted and discussed with other seminar participants. The paper will include a psychosocial history, mental status exam, and an analysis of treatment focusing on the patient/therapist relationship and ethical and psychodynamic issues that have emerged in the course of treatment.
Admission Requirements
Admission to all programs is based on review your application and personal interview.
For further information, contact us.
Clinical Fellowship Program Application:
Open to those licensed to practice psychotherapy: Social Workers, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Mental Health Counselors, Creative Arts Therapists, Marriage and Family Therapists, Psychoanalysts, Nurses’ and Physician’s Assistants. Some unlicensed applicants may be also be accepted into the non-clinical track of our program and attend coursework, but do not see clients in our clinic. To assure early consideration, please complete our application form by 8/31, and send additional requested materials. Once received, we will contact you to arrange a personal interview.
Tuition for the 2022-2023 Academic Year
During the current Academic year, we are offering a limited number of partial scholarships, with the goal of promoting diversity both in our training program, and in the larger profession of psychotherapy.
Clinical Fellowship Program
Friday Night Courses & Practicum: $3500 per year / no materials fee.
Weekly Supervision: $40 per group session or $80 per 1-hour individual session.
Weekly Psychotherapy: At least 2 years of individual therapy, and at least 1 year of group therapy, plus one year of either group therapy or individual therapy. Fees for therapy are arranged privately with the individual or group therapist.
Psychoanalytic Program
Additional Coursework for Psychoanalytic Courses: $300 for each 10-hour course; $450 for each 15-hour course.