Meet Helga
I’m Helga M. Genannt Matzko, Founder and Director of the Gestalt Institute Rhode Island. I've been a Gestalt Therapist for more than twenty-five years. During this time, I have provided therapy and taught 100s of individuals in 8 countries. Five years ago, I added Life coaching to my professional repertoire and received my Professional Coaching certification from the ICF (International Coach Federation). I am also a graduate and practitioner of Seligman's highly respected Authentic Happiness Coaching Program.
As a psychotherapist and teacher, I found my philosophical niche and passion for becoming a life-long student and practitioner of Gestalt Therapy theory and clinical application. Through my private practice, training and programs development at GIRI, I became recognized as an expert on addictions. I have written, published and taught extensively on related topics.
Throughout my early life in Germany, and now in the United States, I've lived with steadfast purpose and intention; I bring that same sense of dedication and purpose to my trainees and to my clients in therapy and life coaching. Many of them are fellow therapists and coaches, seeking to become the best they can be, thereby assisting others to live lives of their own design with dignity and satisfaction.
My life is unique, incredibly rich, never dull, always challenging, still teaching me lessons, and above all has forged me into a resilent individual able to find goodness in all people. I value the human spirit and indomitable resilience. This life-long learning is the most precious gift that I bring to my encounter with you. I wish you a life of hope, joy, and peace.
Professional Experience:
- Founder and director of Gestalt Institute Rhode Island
- Professional Certified Coach (PCC) International Coach Federation—2005
- ILCT, Instructor—2008
- New England Institute for Addiction Studies—1990-2004
- University of Rhode Island, Instructor—1988-92
- Private Practice—1982
Professional Affiliation:
International Coach Federation- ICF: New England chapter
- American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy
- Gestalt International Study Center
- Gestalt Institute Köln (Germany): Bildungswerkstatt
- The Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy
- International Positive Psychology Association; Charter member
- New England Institute for Addiction Studies
Education:
Institute for Life Coaching—2003 - present- Authentic Happiness Coaching Program, Graduate—2004-05
- RIC Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS)—1988
- RIC Master of Arts—1981
- URI Bachelor of Arts—1971
Books/Publications
Matzko, H. (1991), An ACOA substance abuse counselor: Family of origin influences on personal growth and therapeutic effectiveness. Children of chemically dependent parents, ed. T. M. Rivinus, New York: Brunner/Mazel Publishers, 288-310.
— (1993) “Gestalt therapy is ideally suited to addiction treatment.” in The addiction letter. Vol. 9, No. 11 pg. 1-3.
— (1997) “A Gestalt Therapy Treatment Approach for Addictions: Multiphasic Transformation Process,” in Gestalt Review, 1/1, pg. 34-55. NJ: Analytic Press.
— (2000) “Ein gestalttherapeutischer Behandlungsentwurf fuer Suchterkrankungen: Ein mehrphasiger Transformationsprozess,” translation. Köln, Germany: Gestalt Institute. (GIK)
— (2003) A Synthesis of Dialectical Behavior Therapy, Gestalt Therapy Theory and Therapeutic Community Treatment for Addictions. Text Book
— (2005) Dialogue Respondent to Michael Clemens’ article “Gestalt Approaches to Substance Use/Abuse/Dependency: Theory and Practice“ in Gestalt Therapy:
History, Theory, and Practice. Editors: A. Woldt & S. Toman. Sage Publications: Thousand Oaks. pp. 270-300
— (2008) Coaching the Addiction-Recovered Client to Full Potential: From the Perspective of Positive Psychology and Gestalt Theory.
— (2007) Addiction, Resistance, Forgiveness & Treatment: A Clinician’s Guide to Addiction Treatment from The Perspective of a Gestalt Therapist. e-Book