About the course

The Gestalt pillar of Experiment moves away from ‘talk therapy’, adding colour, drama, creativity and experiential learning to the Gestalt process. We explore a variety of experiments, look at how to tailor them to the client, and examine phases of an experiment, from introduction to completion.
Course includes: 90 minutes video presentation by Steve Vinay Gunther, 32 core readings, 12 additional readings, 5 related books, 142 item quiz, Completion certificate for 22 CPE points.

Course content

  • 90 minutes of video presentation by Steve Vinay Gunther
  • 32 core readings
  • 13 additional readings
  • 5 related books
  • 142 item quiz
  • Completion certificate for 22 CPE points
  • Subtitles in 30 languages

Course curriculum

    1. Pugh, M. (2019). A little less talk, a little more action A dialogical approach to cognitive therapy. The Cognitive Behaviour Therapist, 12(47), 1-24.

    2. Suarez, C. (2018). The purpose of play Play as evolution. In The power manual How to master complex power dynamics (pp. 93-99). New Society Publishers.

    1. Daniels, V. (2000). Experiments and interventions. Available: https: //consciousnessandculture.com/ [Accessed 05.09.23]

    2. Daniels, V. (2003). Straddling the boundary between Gestalt therapy and psychodrama. Available: https://consciousnessandculture.com/gestalt- therapy/straddling-the-boundary-between-gestalt- therapy-and-psychodrama/ [Accessed 05.09.23]

    3. Daniels, V. (2000). Kurt Lewin. Available: https: //consciousnessandculture.com/kurt-lewin-and- field-theory/ [Accessed 05.09.23]

    4. Daniels, V. (2016). Unique adaptations of methods from psychodrama, movement, and couples and family therapy. Available: https: //consciousnessandculture.com/gestalt- therapy/unique-adaptations-of-methods/ [Accessed 05.09.23]

    5. Fallon, S. (2012). Sex, gender, and the theatre of self- Acting theory in (Gestalt) psychotherapy with a transsexual client. Gestalt Review, 16(2), 162-180.

    6. Farrands, R. (2011). Creative process in Gestalt therapy (1977). Gestalt Review, 15(1), 8-16.

    7. Friedman, N. (1993). Fritz Perls's layers and the empty chair A reconsideration (IV). Gestalt Journal, 16(2), 101119.

    8. Friedman, N. (2003). Bringing together some early and later Gestalt therapy theory concepts. International Gestalt Journal, 26(1), 59-78.

    9. Joyce, P. & Sills, C. (2014). Chapter 9 Experimenting. In Skills in Gestalt counselling and psychotherapy (pp. 95-106). London, UK Sage Publications.

    10. Kellog, S. (2004). Dialogical Encounters Contemporary Perspectives on Chairwork in psychotherapy. Psychotherapy Theory, Research, Practice, Training, 41(3), 310-320.

    11. Kim, J., & Daniels, V. (2008). Chapter 10 Experimental freedom. In Brownell, P. (ed), Handbook for Theory, Research, and Practice in Gestalt Therapy (pp. 198-227). Cambridge Scholars.

    12. Lac, V. (2014). Horsing around Gestalt equine psychotherapy as humanistic play therapy. Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 1-16.

    13. Levitsky, A & Perls, F. The rules and games of gestalt therapy in Fagan, J & Shepherd, L (1971) Gestalt therapy now, Harper and Row, NY, pp140-149.

    14. Marcus, S. (1980). Theoretical foundations for Gestalt practice. The Gestalt Journal, 3(2), 57-70.

    15. Melnick, J. (1980). The Use of Therapist-Imposed Structure in Gestalt TherapyThe Gestalt Journal, 3, 4-20.

    16. Merenda, A. (2015). Can you let your dog into the room_ Clinical zooanthroplogy and Gestalt animal assisted psychotherapy. British Gestalt Journal, 24(2), 32–37.

    17. Mortola, P. (2015). _It actually reveals things to me about myself_- How play becomes real in the Oaklander approach. Gestalt Review, 19(3), 251-259.

    18. Peterson, K., & Kolb, D. A. (2018). Expanding awareness and contact through experiential learning. Gestalt Review, 22(2), 226-248.

    19. Philippson, P. (1996). Dialogue and Experiment. Manchester Gestalt Centre 1998 httpwww.mgestaltc.force9.co.ukarticle23

    20. Roubal, J. (2009). Experiment- A creative phenomenon of the field. Gestalt Review, 13(3), 263-276.

    21. Schimmel, C. J., & Jacobs, E. E. (2013). Creative interventions using chairs Going beyond Gestalt. Journal of Creativity in Mental Health, 8(4), 428-443.

    22. Siampani, K. (2013). Incorporating sandplay therapy into Gestalt therapy in the treatment of dementia. Gestalt Review, 17(1), 35-58.

    23. Sills, C., Fish, S. & Lapworth. (1996). Chapter 12 Building an Experiment Gestalt Counselling. London, Winslow Press. pp132-149.

    24. Sills, C., Fish, S. & Lapworth. (1996). Chapter 13 The Experimental Environment. Gestalt Counselling. London, Winslow Press. Pp150-166

    25. Staemmler, F. M. (2002). Splitting and the empty chair. International Gestalt Journal, 25(2), 59-93.

    26. Swanson, J. L. (1982). The paradox of the safe emergency. The Gestalt Journal, 5(2), 57-64.

    27. Timm, N., & Garza, Y. (2017). Beyond the miniatures- Using Gestalt theory in Sandtray processing. Gestalt Review, 21(1), 44-55.

    28. Zimberoff, D., & Hartman, D. (2003). Gestalt therapy and heart-centered therapies. Journal of Heart-Centered Therapies, 6(1), 93–104.

    29. Zinker, J. (1991). Creative process in Gestalt therapy The therapist as artists. The Gestalt Journal, 14(2), 71-87.

    30. Zinker, J. C. (2009). Gestalt therapy is permission to be creative- A sermon in praise of the use of experiment in Gestalt therapy. Gestalt Review, 13(2), 123-124.

    1. Dawes, G. Provocative therapy A Bermuda Triangle of the mind. Provocative Therapy. http www.provocativetherapy.infoindex.php_option=com_content&task=view&id=23&Itemid=42.

    2. Durrant, M. (1994). Developing Skills in Solution-focused Brief Therapy. Eastwood Family Therapy Centre.

    3. Grace, T. (2012). Acting crazy - Psychotherapy, dramatherapy, and drama_ Autoethnographic play

    4. Lyttle, J. (2003). Theories of humor. Dr. Ofer Zur.

    5. Ronne, N. The use of humor in psychoanalysis. httpwww.4therapy.comprofessionalabout_usitem.php_ uniqueid=7250&categoryid=582&.

    6. Shibles, W. (2002). Chapter V Uses of humor. In Humor reference guide A comprehensive classification and analysis(pp. 116). httpddr-barbara-maier.atwp-contentshibleswhumorbookh5.html.

    7. Zimberoff, D., & Hartman, D. (2003). Gestalt therapy and heart-centered therapies. Journal of Heart-Centered Therapies, 6(1), 93104.

    1. Andrasik, T. (2020). Gestalt theatre - Integration of applied drama into Gestalt therapy. Psychoterapie, 14(2), 1–42.

    2. Marcus, E. (1980). Grounding, resistance, and decision-making. The Gestalt Journal, 3(3), 112-119.

    3. Mortola, P. (2019). Play becomes real for adults. Gestalt Review, 23(1), 67-83.

    4. Phenomenology. (1996). Excerpted discussion from the AAGT list

    5. Woldt, A. (2009). Gestalt pedagogy- Creativity in teaching. Gestalt Review, 13(2), 135-148.

    6. Yontef, G., & Schulz, F. (2016). Dialogue and experiment. British Gestalt Journal, 25(1), 9–21.

    1. Video lecture on The Gestalt Experiment - 90 minute

    1. Quiz on The Gestalt Experiment

    1. 12. The Gestalt experiment • Assessment 44 • Concept Map

    2. 12. The Gestalt experiment • Assessment 45 • Reflection Form

    3. 12. The Gestalt experiment • Assessment 46 • Core Readings - Focus summaries / concept maps

    4. 12. The Gestalt experiment • Assessment 47 • Seminar Presentation - Experiment from PHG

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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