Introductory Gestalt Therapy Training

This Gestalt Therapy workshop is an introduction to the theory and practical application of Gestalt Therapy designed for therapists, coaches, addiction and recovery professionals to work with client systems - individuals, families, and groups.

The training will take place during four 1-day, in-person trainings. In these workshops you will learn historical and theoretical constructs of Gestalt therapy theory and the experiential process of clinical application in demonstrations, triads, or group settings.

Additionally, there will be four 1-hour teleconferences follow-up in-between the first and fourth workshop and again upon completion of the training.

Teleclasses provide you an opportunity to ask questions relating to theory or application. of Gestalt methods. This teleclass group will provide you with additional experience and learning opportunity.

The total training time will be 28 hours.

Participants will learn through:

  1. Readings, Lectures, Demonstrations
  2. Practice in supervised triads or groups
  3. Gestalt experiments

Learning includes but is not limited to:

  • Raise awareness to what is in the moment, learn nuanced interventions
  • Learn the paradoxical Gestalt theory of change — Growth happens when you become who you really are, not when you try to live what you are not.
  • Creative adjustments in the service of self-regulation
  • “Whole is greater than the sum of its parts”
  • Explore the continuum of the Cycle of Experience
  • Work with Body/mind/environment as continuous whole

Dates and Fees

This class will be scheduled in 2010. To sign up for my newsletter (use the top right sign-up box) and I will inform you via email when the class is scheduled.

Here is what trainees say:

“Helga Matzko's trainings have had a profound impact on both my personal and professional development. She combines her deep theoretical knowledge and understanding of Gestalt principles along with her caring, sensitive, skillful work to a variety of issues including addictions, relationships, trauma and living a happy, purposeful life. I have been taking her trainings over the course of the past fourteen years and keep going back for more.”

Luke Gagne, MA, LCMHC, LADC, CEAP
NH/VT EAP Consultant, U.S. Postal Service EAP


“Participating in Helga's trainings has been hugely beneficial for me in my professional development as a social worker, and in my own personal growth. Helga has a deep and wide-ranging understanding of psychotherapy theory, but it is the experiential practice of therapy approaches integrated so completely into her trainings that provides such a unique and profound learning experience.

I especially liked the small group size of the trainings. Helga's teaching style somehow makes each training participant feel special and cared for. A high degree of trust developed in the training groups I attended, enabling participants to explore personal issues in depth in a setting that felt safe, unpressured, and respectful.

Helga's trainings provide an unusual opportunity to observe first-hand how therapy, as practiced by a highly skilled and well trained therapist, is done, and to experience individually, and in group, the powerful effect such therapy can produce. Participants also are provided ample opportunity to practice their counseling skills with other group members, with guidance from Helga. Trainings are always grounded in a detailed exposition of the gestalt/existential/or other theory supporting the practice of therapy.

I find Helga's trainings to be invigorating, challenging, warm, supportive, painful, healing, humorous and wise.”

Theresa O'Connor
Program Director
Open Door Social Services
Springfield, MA