GATLA Three-Part Examination Process

Details

The cost is a one-time payment of US$300 that includes all three stages (written, oral and clinical) even if you may be required to redo one or more steps.

You can pay this amount online at gatla.org using the link to the store provided under the Certification menu and then enter 300 in the Miscellaneous payments product and complete the application by writing “Certification Exam” in the appropriate box.

IMPORTANT: The entire process is designed to encourage you to share what you do know and how you work. It is not a “gotcha” situation.

  1. Written exam: Basically, you will be asked 4 questions and have 4 hours to complete your answers. Closed book exam. Please type! Return to Jay Levin and they will pass your responses on to three examiners who will grade and comment on your responses.
    No peeking! You can do anything else before starting to write your responses. Eat a pint of ice cream, go for a walk/jog, watch a movie, etc. Open the attachment when you are ready and end after four hours. We accept your timekeeping.
  2. Oral exam: The oral exam is done with three examiners either in vivo or online. The exam usually lasts about one hour in total – 30 minutes for discussion of Gestalt therapy theory and practice; your answers to the written exam may be explored further; new areas of interest that may emerge from the dialogue between yourself and the examiners, etc. You will then be asked to leave the room (go offline) while the examiners confer and share their impressions and decide about what feedback may be useful for you. You will then be invited to return and to participate in your feedback. This is a mutual participatory process.
  3. Clinical exam: This final stage requires you to work with an individual or a group (with one individual piece). This is your choice. Most of the time the participants elect to do an individual piece of work. There are three faculty present to observe your individual work which is about 30-40 minutes. The whole process takes around 60 minutes.

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