History and Philosophy of Gestalt Therapy
“Don’t miss this dynamic presentation about the history and philosophy of Gestalt Therapy.
Dimitris presented his work at the GATLA Summer Residential in Bulgaria to high praise.
His use of art and language bring new life to our Gestalt history.
I thoroughly recommend it.” – Liv Estrup, Faculty
Join us for an exciting journey into one of the most fascinating therapeutic approaches! In this seminar we will unravel the thread of the history of Gestalt Therapy by following the footsteps of its main discoverer, Fritz Perls.
Through a wealth of audiovisual material, we will explore how his psychobiographical elements, various social, artistic, therapeutic and philosophical currents -as well as the zeitgeist in which they developed- shaped the approach that we know today as Gestalt Psychotherapy. At the same time, we will use these important movements and landmarks both as springboards to bring to light aspects of Gestalt philosophy and their implications for its therapeutic stance and technique, and as food for thought for our personal philosophy and life today.
In the process, we will mention encounters that proved decisive (e.g. Perls with Freud) and other memorable and sometimes shocking incidents that, although not characteristic of modern Gestalt therapy, are nevertheless a valuable part of its tradition… In the end, we will also reflect on what ultimately constitutes “psychotherapy”, whether and to what extent it concerns us, how relevant is Gestalt in our times as well as whether the prerequisite for a psychotherapist is to have solved all their issues…
Since Gestalt, apart from being a well-established therapeutic approach, is also a philosophy of life, this seminar will be of interest to both professionals and the general public.
WEBINAR
FACILITATOR
Dimitris Tzachanis
DATES
A’ Part – Saturday 22 March, 2025
B’ Part – Sunday 23 March, 2025
C’ Part – Saturday 29 March, 2025
D’ Part – Sunday 30 March, 2025
Time: 19.00 – 21.00
The seminar will be recorded and participants will have the option to watch it asynchronously within 3 months.
COST
Early Bird Until Feb 23: 90€
Regular Price: 120€
ADDRESSED TO
• Anyone interested in personal development.
• Mental health professionals and trainees
(psychologists, mental health counsellors, psychotherapists etc.)
History and Philosophy of Gestalt Therapy
Key Stations:
Background of Berlin and psychobiography of Fritz Perls
Bauhaus
Dada
Expressionism
Gestalt Psychology
Field Theory
Psychoanalysis & Sigmund Freud
Wilhelm Reich
Holism
Psychodrama
Gindler & Selver: Sensory Awareness
Paul Goodman
In a mad world, only the mad are sane
Zen
Tao
Esalen Institute
Counterculture of the 60s
Laura Perls
Existentialism
Martin Buber
Phenomenology
Fritz Perls: bum or prophet?
One, none or one hundred thousand Gestalt?
While the seminar is theoretical, to make it more interesting the participants will have at various points the opportunity -if they wish- to interact with the material and share their experience with the group. Αt the end there will also be space for questions and discussion.
An extensive bibliography/filmography will be provided for further exploration.
Gestalt Therapists can use the seminars hours for re-registration at the EAGT.
Facilitator:
Dimitris Tzachanis, founder of Gestalt Synthesis, is an accredited psychotherapist by the National Organization of Psychotherapy of Greece, holder of the European Certificate of Psychotherapy and member of the European Association for Psychotherapy. He trained in Gestalt Therapy by the Gestalt Institute of San Francisco and was the head of the institute in Greece. He is also an accredited body psychotherapist, graduate of the Center for Psychotherapy & Counseling “Wilhelm Reich” and member of the Greek and European Association of Body Psychotherapy.
He has studied Social Anthropology at the University of Kent, Canterbury and has completed a MA in Psychoanalysis at Brunel University, London. In addition he has trained and attended seminars in trauma therapy, inner child work, Diamond Approach, IFS etc. He is particularly inspired by the transpersonal psychotherapy philosophy and in his approach he integrates elements from different therapeutic approaches. He works individually and with groups, designs and coordinates therapeutic and training seminars and teaches Gestalt Therapy at KE.THE.SY.