About the course

Existential notions of authenticity underpin Gestalt principles & practices. We are not trying to change people; rather help them become more fully themselves. Recognising and owning ones own ‘style’ - healthy & shadow - is inherent to this process.
Course includes: 81 minutes video presentation by Steve Vinay Gunther, 26 core readings, 8 additional readings (1 audio file), 4 related books, 130 item quiz, Completion certificate for 20 CPE points.

Course content

  • 82 minutes of video presentation by Steve Vinay Gunther
  • 25 core readings
  • 8 additional readings (1 audio file)
  • 4 related books
  • 130 item quiz
  • Completion certificate for 20 CPE points
  • Subtitles in 30 languages

Course curriculum

    1. Gunther, S.V. & Ling, S. (2018). Virtues and Unvirtues. Available httpsunvirtues.comunvirtueslists

    2. Haakenson, T. O. (2009). The merely illusory paradise of habits Salamo Friedlander, Walter Benjamin, and the Grotesque. New German Critique, 36(1), 119-147.

    3. Jacobs, A. J. (2007). I think youre fat. httpswww.esquire.comnews-politicsa26792honesty0707

    4. Lacan, J. (2004). The thorn in the flesh. Psychotherapy in Australia, 11(1), 55.

    5. Langle, A. (2004). The Search for Meaning in Life and the Fundamental Existential Motivations. Psychotherapy in Australia, 10, (1), 22-27.

    6. Marlan, S. (2010). Jungian psychoanalysis working in the spirit of C.G. Jung Facing the shadow. Open Court, Chicago. Chapter numbers 2

    7. Mendelowitz, E., & Schnieder, K. (2007). Existential psychotherapy. In R. J. Corsini & D. Wedding (Eds.), Current psychotherapies (pp. 295-327). BrooksCole.

    8. Pearson, A. J. (2011). Reflections on shadow work. httpsphilosophadam.wordpress.com20110901some-fragmentary-reflections-on-shadow-work

    9. Rashid, T. & Anjum, A. (2013). 340 Ways to Use VIA Character Strengths. University of Toronto Scarborough, Canada

    10. Sher, B. (1979). Stylesearch. In Wishcraft How to get what you really want (pp. 33-63). Ballantine.

    11. Sommers, E. (2007). Tyranny of niceness A psychotherapeutic challenge. Psychotherapy.net. httpswww.psychotherapy.netarticleNiceness.

    12. Sommers, E. (2013). Tyranny of niceness. [Available] httpwww.psychotherapy.netarticleniceness.

    13. Tamm, J. (2007). Defensiveness: The Poison Pillto Relationships. [Available] http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/Defensiveness_The_Poison_Pill_to_Relationships.html.

    14. Wilber, K. (2012). Chapter 7 Integrating the shadow. In The spectrum of conciousness (pp. 225-252). Quest Books.

    1. Bloom, D. (2016). The relational function of self- Self functioning of the most human plane. In J. Robine (Ed.), Self- A polyphony of contemporary gestalt therapists (pp. 1–25). Exprimerie.

    2. Francesseti, G. (2016). "You cry, I feel pain." The emerging, co-created self as the foundation of anthropology and psychotherapy in Gestalt therapy. In J. Robine (Ed.), Self -A polyphony of contemporary Gestalt therapists (pp. 1-13). L’Exprimerie.

    3. Glinnwater, J. T. Gestalt therapy Treatment of the affective self. The Gestalt Journal, 28(2), 81-97.

    4. Holl, K. (2020). The Gestalt of the Self in Gestalt Therapy A Suggestion for a New Configuration of Theory. Gestalt Review, Vol. 24, No. 1, p.33-59

    5. Just, B. (2002). Authenticity - Towards a Perlsian stance. British Gestalt Journal, 11(2), 133-139.

    6. McLeod, L. (1993). The self in gestalt therapy theory. The British Gestalt Journal, 2, 25-40.

    7. Polster, E. (1990). The self in action A Gestalt outlook. Evolution of Psychotherapy Conference (pp. 16).

    8. Spagnuolo Lobb, M. (2001). The theory of self in Gestalt therapy A restatement of some aspects. Gestalt Review, 5(4), 276-288.

    9. Spagnuolo Lobb, M. (2016). Self as contact, contact as self A contribution to contact experience in Gestalt therapy theory of self. In J. Robine (Ed.), Self A polyphony of contemporary gestalt therapists (pp. 261–289). Exprimerie.

    10. Spinelli, E. (1995). The Notion of The Self. Lecture at Gestalt Therapy Institute of Perth.

    11. Wheeler, G. (2016). The future of the self- Reflections on contact, development, and the sub-systems of the self in Paul Goodman 1. Gestalt Review, 20(3), 235-256.

    1. Ackerman, C.E. (2018). 11+ Honesty Worksheets & Tests for Adults. Available httpspositivepsychology.comhonesty-integrity-worksheets-activities-tests [Accessed 24.09.22]

    2. Brigham, S. (1997). Brief therapy and humour. Psychotherapy in Australia, 4(1), 32-36.

    3. Caldwell, C. (2010). Identity, self-awareness, and self-deception Ethical implications for leaders and organizations. Journal of Business Ethics, 90, 393-406.

    4. Froggatt, W. (1997). Enlightened self-interest. httpswww.managingstress.comenlightened-self-interest

    5. Rosiana, J. (2023). 8 ways to build real courage in your life right now. Available httpswww.radicalhonesty.comrh-blog20233318-ways-to-build-real-courage-in-your-life-right-now [Accessed 02.04.23]

    6. Swanton, C. (2011). Virtuous egoism and virtuous altruism. In A. Gotthelf & J. G. Lennox (eds.), Metaethics, egoism, and virtue Studies in Ayn Rands normative theory (pp. 131-142). University of Pittsburgh Press.

    7. This American Life. Telling the truth.

    8. von Hippel, W., & Trivers, R. (2011). The evolution and psychology of self-deception. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 34, 1-56.

    9. Wais, R. (2009). Sartre and self-deception. httpabyssinia-iffat.groupSelfdecepSatre

    1. Video lecture on Style, Authenticity and Unvirtues - 81 minute

    1. Quiz on Style, Authenticity and Unvirtues

    1. 16. Style, Authenticity, Self and unvirtues • Assessment 57 • Concept Map

    2. 16. Style, Authenticity, Self and unvirtues • Assessment 58 • Reflection Form

    3. 16. Style, Authenticity, Self and unvirtues • Assessment 59 • Core Readings - Focus summaries / concept maps

    4. 16. Style, Authenticity, Self and unvirtues • Assessment 60 • Essay - Ethical dilemma

About the presenter

Steve Vinay Gunther

Dr Steve Vinay Gunther

Steve Vinay Gunther has studied Gestalt therapy since 1985 and founded Gestalt institutes in Australia, South Korea, and China. Since 2000, he has been an international Gestalt trainer, teaching in Asia, Egypt, South Africa, Mexico, Colombia, and the USA.

In addition to Gestalt therapy, Steve is trained in family therapy, narrative therapy, somatic therapy, career coaching, and family constellations. He has practiced and studied meditation since 1973 and previously served as a professor of Spiritual Psychology at the Ryokan Institute in Los Angeles.

Steve pioneered relational psychology with his concept, The Unvirtues, and designed the Relational Parenting system. He is the father of five children and grandfather to four boys.

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