The rich and bountiful backgrounds of therapists from 25 different countries and cultures provide an absolutely outstanding array of presentations. Other evening activities include singing, playing the guitar, dancing, arguing theory over a glass of wine, or quietly sitting or walking under the stars. Our final faculty member in 2000 was Virginia Burley, M.A. who is currently the Associate Dean of Humanities at Mt. San Antonio College. Ginny led our organization seminar in 2000 and will do the same in 2001. This diverse faculty provides a unique opportunity to work with professionals who bring different perspectives, different ways of imparting information, different sensibilities, different humor and therefore can support and encourage differing styles of therapy.
Diversity stimulates expansion and flexibility which are the hallmarks of our program.
The examination process consists of a written theory exam, an oral theory exam and a clinical exam in which 3 trainers observe the trainee working with a client either in a group or an individual setting. Our program has constantly evolved to meet the changing needs of our participants. Practicum groups were added for more advanced participants. A Couples Therapy Training Workshop now precedes the annual Gestalt Training Program because of an interested expressed by many participants to learn to work with this population. The organizational seminar is a new addition to the program - again a request from participants interested in translating Gestalt principles to organizational and educational arenas.