Opening To Grace currently offers a personalised online Training in Transformational Gestalt Practice. This is a personally tailored program designed to introduce practicing clinicians, and those in pastoral roles, to the Gestalt modality, through a contemplative spiritual framework – so that it can be integrated into existing practice / ministry. The program consists of individual teaching and mentoring sessions with Dinah (either online or face-to-face), and PDF teaching material supplied with readings and handouts (delivered in six to seven units). There are no academic requirements other than keeping a personal / learning journal throughout your learning experience, and various experiential tasks and exercises with each unit. There may also be opportunities to come together in face-to-face or online Transformational Gestalt process groups with other program participants throughout your learning experience (depending on participant numbers). You will be able to tailor this program to your own needs, and journey at your own pace, within a 6-12 month period. Cost is based on teaching sessions, group sessions (if applicable), admin time and resources supplied over the duration of your individual program.

Course topics covered:

 Overview of the Gestalt Approach
 Phenomenology & the Contact Cycle
 Field Theory & Dialogue
 Impasse & ‘Experiment’– chair-work and ‘the critic’
 Creative Media – Objects / Art  / Dream-work / Metaphor / Imagery

An introduction to contemplative spirituality and practice

Applications

Applications for the online training in Transformational Gestalt Practice are open to practicing clinicians who have an interest in integrating Gestalt principles and techniques into their existing practice, and for those in ministry who want to deepen their faith and ministry skills. Some experience of personal / spiritual development is recommended to navigate the material. Delivery of the program is via in-person or online sessions with PDF resources: Unit Guides, Readings, Handouts, & experiential tasks with each unit (delivered via DropBox).  There may also be opportunity throughout the program to meet for in person / online process groups with other course participants (depending on participant numbers). Applications for the individually tailored online program can be submitted via email to dinahbuchanan18@gmail.com and Dinah will be in touch to discuss how to proceed. Please include in your application your reasons for wanting to do the online training, and include a current resume.

Qualities developed during the course:

a capacity for developing deep self-awareness, self-reflection & insight
a capacity to relate to others in a facilitative, dialogical way, from a stance of respect and mutual interest
a capacity to reflect on and examine the impact of your actions on others
a capacity to be aware of and articulate the impact of others on you
a capacity for curiosity and inquiry – particularly into self processes
a capacity to take responsibility for physical and emotional well-being
a capacity to learn and grow from life experiences
a capacity to receive feedback on strengths and growing edges

Who May Apply

* Applications for the online training in Transformational Gestalt Practice are invited from practicing clinicians: Counsellors & Psychotherapists, and those in the teaching & health industries, who have a client case load, such as social workers, psychologists, teachers, nurses, child care educators, occupational therapists, physiotherapists, coaches, etc.  This program is also suitable for pastors, chaplains, pastoral care workers etc.
The Centre practices a non-discriminatory selection of participants on the grounds of race, gender, class, sexual preferences, religion, or any disability or belief that does not directly interfere with the competent fulfillment of participation and practice.

Participants Who Live Away

At OTG we have developed our programs so that participants can access our training online.  The teaching and mentoring components are conducted individually via face-to-face or online sessions. The primary course facilitator (Dinah) will  also retain regular e-mail and phone contact with participants, to meet their individual training needs.

This Prospectus outlines the online training in Transformational Gestalt Practice currently offered by Opening To Grace.
This individually tailored program has been developed to introduce practicing clinicians, and those in ministry, to an overview of the Gestalt modality through a contemplative spiritual lens, so that it can be integrated into existing practice / ministry.

The delivery of the program is via in-person or online sessions, and PDF teaching units (including Readings & Handouts)