Summer Residential Gestalt Therapy Training Program

2025 MARKS THE 52nd ANNIVERSARY of GATLA’s Summer Residential Gestalt Therapy Training Program.

We are again sharply aware that the 2025 Summer Residential continues to be held under extremely challenging and even worsening global circumstances. In light of these we have recognized the need to articulate the Community Values & Learning Environment under which the 2025 Summer Residential will be held. We ask all registrants to check these principles and ensure they can abide by them before applying.

The global circumstances also continue to impact the timeframe in which we now invite registrations. Again, there are heavy discounts being offered to encourage early registration and ensure the viability of the program.

A Unique Gestalt Therapy Training Opportunity

The purpose of this program is to provide the highest quality of training available for psychotherapists in Gestalt and Experiential psychotherapy and other relational models of therapy. All faculty will do clinical demonstrations and all work will be related to theory. Participants in the Clinical Practicum and Senior Practicum groups work with clients from lower groups in individual therapy under supervision of faculty. Our successful Senior Practicum will continue in 2025 — a group for very experienced Gestalt Therapists.

There are many aspects of GATLA’s Summer Residential Training Program that distinguish it from other training programs in Gestalt Therapy and make it a cutting-edge training opportunity as well as a benchmark for Gestalt Therapy Training Programs worldwide:

STRONG COMMUNITY — International in scope – participants from 30 different countries. Internationally trained faculty.

SUPPORTIVE ENVIRONMENT — Therapists and consultants can do their own personal therapy and training away from their home community.

PARTICIPANTS PRESENT THEIR WORK — Optional evening presentations on subjects of interest to participants to either hear about or present themselves.

TRIOS OR QUARTETS — Practice Gestalt methodology under the supervision of a Trainer, Group Leader or a member of the Clinical Practicum or Senior Practicum.

FACULTY COMMITTED TO DIALOGUE — We are constantly evolving and changing our program based on feedback and proposals from participants and from advances in psychological science, as well as from Gestalt theory and practice.

RETURN RATE OF OVER 80% — Attests to the relevance, flexibility, and growth of this program.

Training Levels

FIVE LEVELS OF TRAINING: Introductory, Advanced, Advanced Intensive, Clinical Practicum, and Senior Practicum with interdependent groups, interweaving theory, supervision, group work, and personal therapy.

INTRODUCTORY GROUP: The Introductory Group is designed for applicants who are new to Gestalt Therapy or who have limited post-graduate training in Gestalt Therapy. Many Introductory Group members come to our training with years of useful and relevant experience, however they are not familiar with Gestalt theory or therapy.

ADVANCED GROUP: Designed for clinicians who have a minimum of 2 years of Gestalt Therapy training.

ADVANCED INTENSIVE GROUP: Each member of this group is assigned a client from within the group to work with in front of the large group as well as within the trios.

CLINICAL PRACTICUM GROUP: The Clinical Practicum group focuses intensely on improving participants’ clinical skills and emphasizes the integration of clinical work and Gestalt theory. Participants have an individual therapy client whom they see daily with live supervision. This offers an ongoing experience both with therapy and intensive supervision over time.

SENIOR PRACTICUM: Designed to meet the needs of very experienced Gestalt therapists who have completed training with GATLA or other Institutes. Participants will work directly with experienced faculty followed by in depth discussion of therapeutic and theoretical issues, enhancing therapeutic and supervisory skills. Senior Practicum members will be given an opportunity to get sophisticated feedback on personal research, clinical practice, and teaching or service projects.

Theory Tracks

Participants choose one Theory Track from four that are offered in 2025. More information about each is location on the Location and Components page.

Introductory Theory, for Introductory Group members and other participants interested in deepening their grasp of the fundamentals of Gestalt therapy theory. Led by Jay Levin, M.A.
Organizational Development, for those participants with a background or an interest in working in organizational settings – theory and practice from a Gestalt perspective. This track will involve both theoretical input and live discussion of participants’ cases. Led by Doug Aberle, M.Eng.Sc.
Contemporary Theoretical Perspectives on Gestalt Therapy, for those participants interested in aspects of Gestalt Therapy that have captured the interests of several of the faculty in the course of their lives and current practice. Led by the GATLA faculty.
Working With Large Families, for those participants who want to become familiar with the experience of both sides – clients’ and therapists’ – of family therapy; widen their therapeutic perspective by generational context; and become bolder in using personal experience in therapeutic work. This track will create an opportunity to experience what it means to participate in family therapy and to practice working in a reflecting team and working in cotherapy. Led by Anna Tanalska-Duleba, M.A.

LINKS

Location and Components
Training Groups
Schedule
General Information
Faculty