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

Following its highly acclaimed response, this seminar returns in an expanded format with new material and extended time for reflection and discussion.

Gestalt Therapy did not emerge in a vacuum. It was born at the intersection of radical art, philosophy, psychoanalysis, political upheaval, and cultural rebellion. To understand Gestalt is to understand the world that shaped it—and, in many ways, the world we still inhabit today.

In this expanded seminar series, Dimitris Tzachanis offers a deep, nuanced exploration of the historical, philosophical, and cultural foundations of Gestalt Therapy. Moving beyond linear history, the seminar weaves together biography, theory, art, and social context to illuminate how Gestalt became not only a therapeutic method, but a distinct way of realizing human existence.
With additional hours and new material, this edition allows for:
  • deeper exploration of key figures and movements
  • clearer articulation of Gestalt’s philosophical stance
  • more space for dialogue, integration, and critical reflection
Rather than presenting Gestalt as a fixed doctrine, the seminar invites participants to encounter it as a living, evolving tradition—one that continues to challenge how we relate, practice psychotherapy, and live.

This seminar will be of particular interest to those who wish to:
  • situate Gestalt Therapy within its broader intellectual and cultural lineage
  • reflect critically on contemporary psychotherapy
  • explore the relationship between personal philosophy, clinical practice, and historical context
No prior specialization is required—only curiosity and openness to inquiry.
 

WEBINAR


FACILITATOR 
Dimitris Tzachanis

DATES
A’ Part – Sat 21 Feb, 2026
B’ Part – Sun 22 Feb, 2026
C’ Part – Fri 27 Feb, 2026
D’ Part – Sat 28 Feb, 2026
E’ Part – Sun 1 March, 2026

Time: 19.00 – 21.30

The seminar will be recorded and participants will have the option to watch it asynchronously within 3 months.

ADDRESSED TO 
• Anyone interested in personal development.
• Mental health professionals and trainees
(psychologists, mental health counsellors, psychotherapists etc.)

COST
Early Bird 100€ / until 23rd of January,
as of 24 January Regular Price 140€ 
Registration: 
https://inspiroway.com/video-details/3bc268dc-eef5-42de-8221-53d64e2bc472

CERTIFICATE
Participants will receive a certificate of participation – the 12.5 hours can be counted towards the EAGT certification and recertification process.

History and Philosophy of Gestalt Therapy

History and Philosophy of Gestalt Therapy​

Join us on an in-depth journey into one of the most influential and provocative therapeutic approaches of the 20th century.
 
In this seminar, we will trace the historical and philosophical roots of Gestalt Therapy by following the life and work of one of its central figures, Fritz Perls. Through rich audiovisual material, we will explore how key psychobiographical elements, major social, artistic, therapeutic, and philosophical movements—as well as the broader zeitgeist of the time—shaped what later became known as Gestalt Psychotherapy.
 
These historical landmarks will serve not only as a contextual framework, but also as entry points into core Gestalt concepts, illuminating their implications for therapeutic stance, clinical practice, and contemporary life. Along the way, we will examine decisive encounters (such as Perls’ meeting with Freud), as well as controversial and sometimes shocking episodes that—although not representative of modern Gestalt practice—remain an important and thought-provoking part of its tradition.
 
The seminar also opens broader questions:
  • What ultimately constitutes “psychotherapy”?
  • To what extent does it concern us personally?
  • How relevant is Gestalt Therapy today?
  • What does the tumultuous life of Fritz Perls has to teach us? Is it necessary—or even possible—for a psychotherapist to have “resolved” all personal issues?
Since Gestalt Therapy is not only a clinical approach but also a philosophy of life, this seminar is addressed both to mental health professionals and to individuals interested in personal development and cultural history.
 
Key Stations
Berlin background & psychobiography of Fritz Perls
Theatre
Bauhaus
Dada & Expressionism
Gestalt Psychology
Field Theory
Psychoanalysis & Sigmund Freud
Wilhelm Reich
Holism
Psychodrama
Elsa Gindler & Charlotte Selver: Sensory Awareness
Paul Goodman
Gestalt Politics: “In a mad world, only the mad are sane”
Zen & Taoism
Esalen Institute
Counterculture of the 1960s
Laura Perls
Existentialism & Martin Buber
Phenomenology
Fritz Perls: bum or prophet?
One, none, or one hundred thousand Gestalts?
 
Although the seminar is primarily theoretical, participants will have opportunities—if they wish—to engage with the material experientially and to share reflections within the group. Each meeting will conclude with time for questions and discussion.
An extensive bibliography and filmography will be provided for further exploration.
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