Schedule Overview

• July 27th, 5:00pm : Registration & Dinner
• July 27th, 7:00pm : Start Program
• August 1st, 12:00pm : End

CEU's: 7 contact hours each day

This week builds on the Foundations curriculum with review of theoretical concepts and more in-depth discussion of Gestalt Therapy and the work of other Gestalt Therapists. More emphasis is on practice with feedback and case presentation. In-depth discussion and specific interventions on such topics as anger, shame, contact and resistance, and personality integration will be held.

The topics for each day is as follows...

• Day 1 Monday: Review of Foundations. The Therapy Process. The Oaklander Model of the Gestalt Approach. Working with Expressive-Projective Interventions (continued).




• Day 2 Tuesday: In-depth work with the Boundary Disturbances, Introjects, and the Shameful Self




• Day 3 Wednesday: In-depth work with the Shameful Self and the Process of Integration




• Day 4 Thursday: Working with the Field: Parents, Siblings, Schools, Others




• Day 5 Friday: Closure: Finished and Unfinished business in Therapy and in Life

This program will include:

• An examination of the theoretical underpinnings of the Oaklander approach which is based on the theory, philosophy, and practice of Gestalt Therapy, as well as pertinent child development theory from the Gestalt perspective and findings of the neurosciences. Discussion of the relational theory of self and its significance to therapeutic practice will be emphasized.
• Delving into the therapy process beginning with establishing the relationship and early assessment sessions. Then moving on to the issues of contact, strengthening the sense of self, promoting emotional maturity through expressive and impressive strategies, and supporting the process of integration and self development
• Practice in the therapeutic use of expressive and projective interventions with modalities such as drawings, clay, storytelling, sand tray, music, puppets, imagery and fantasy, sensory work, creative dramatics, and therapeutic metaphors.
• Issues related to assessment and treatment planning as well as approaches to working with parents, groups and adolescents will be discussed throughout the program.

The schedule for each day of the training is experiential including didactic discussion and practicum with feedback to strengthen the learning experience. Videos, powerpoint slides, and, if possible, work with child clients will be used to demonstrate the work discussed. The cost of the program will include training materials and a notebook of readings and other resources.

Learning Objectives: After these workshops participants will be able to:

• Discuss the Oaklander Model of Gestalt Play Therapy with Children
• Integrate the dialogic relationship of I-Thou into their clinical work
• Understand the relational view of self development and the significance of this perspective in Gestalt clinical practice
• Understand the neurological principles of child development from the Gestalt perspective
• Utilize a phenomenological approach to working with expressive-projective interventions
• Select a variety of play modalities to work with clinical issues of children
• Structure a therapeutic approach to working with anger, shame, and trauma
• Identify and work toward integration of the child’s experience
• Work with family and other systems that affect the well-being of the child/adolescent
• Bring closure to therapeutic work

Date:

July 27- Aug 1, 2008. The time schedule for the week will be determined by the group to maximize both the work sessions and recreation time. There are seven (7) contact hours each day.

Place:

Solvang, California –30 miles north of Santa Barbara in the Santa Ynez Wine Country. Transportation from the Santa Barbara airport can be provided.