Who We Are
Our global community is engaged in formal study groups, annual conferences, commissioned research and the publication of books and our academic journal, Gestalt Review, now beginning its 15th year.
Three important elements distinguish our programs. Our training programs are rigorous, our methods based on years of research and successful application
across disciplines, cultures and continents. The learning is applied, which means that our programs are concrete and practical, and you can put new skills to use immediately, although they may take much practice to master. The results are profound; there is a magnitude of impact in your work and in your life that is far beyond the norm. Because of this, many of our participants return year after year to GISC.
We are an independent nonprofit organization and a community of diverse individuals, anchored by the values of trust, optimism, generosity, and the importance of lifelong learning. As a nonprofit, we have the flexibility to continuously refine and explore our theory and applications, and aren’t bounded by the thinking or goals of any one
individual or corporation. We are engaged in formal study groups, annual conferences, commissioned research, and the publication of books and academic journals as we seek to continuously deepen our insight into how people work well together.
What We Do
We develop highly successful business and nonprofit leaders as well as practitioners involved with organizational consulting,
coaching, therapy, human resource development, education, and
social transformation.
Through years of research, observation, and application in the field, we have developed theory and applications that articulate how individuals can be most effective, how people work well together, how groups develop successful interactions, and how organizations develop high performing cultures. Our core training technology combines experiences that support self-reflection with opportunities to practice new skills; we enable participants to learn and develop in a personalized way.
This theory provides a foundation and structure for learning and our teaching methodology ensures that participants come away having internalized how to integrate new skills and use their full potential to be more effective in working with others.
Our training develops the following personal competencies in
participants:
- Enhanced self-awareness and confidence
- Stronger presence and ability to impact others
- Increased capacity to observe, decide and act with clarity and
intention
- More skillful perception in the moment
Our training develops the following interpersonal competencies in
participants:
- Developing relationships between people and between groups
- Articulating clear and useful feedback on the behavior of others
- Perceiving and building on the competence of individuals and
groups
- Facilitating organizational effectiveness through systems
knowledge and the dynamics of group interaction
- Leading successful change, recognizing and managing multiple
perspectives
- Using the momentum of resistance as a part of change
processes
- Understanding the development of high-performing
organizational cultures
People who embark on a path of development at the Center learn to
see more in themselves, their organizations and/or their clients. They
learn to do more through others by acting more quickly, clearly and
with intention. They learn to be more focused and impactful in how
they interact and engage. They develop strong networks of influential people who share their values. They build their community and they
contribute to their fields.
What is Gestalt?
The Gestalt model underlies our work. “Gestalt” (ge’SHtält) means “an organized whole that is perceived as more than the sum of
its parts.” It is a well-developed theory of how people take in and
organize information, and how they use it in relating to each other.
Gestalt theory originated in scientific research on human perception,
was then applied to psychology where it gained recognition, and has
subsequently been incorporated into many therapeutic models.
Through the work of our founders and others over the last fifty
years, the theory has been further developed into an extraordinarily
powerful organizational development application, producing highly
effective leaders, groups, and organizations throughout the world.
At GISC, we teach the application of Gestalt theory with a unique
emphasis on perceiving and expanding existing competence as the
foundation for achieving one’s own and others’ full potential. This
seemingly simple shift in perspective opens up new choices and
possibilities, provides a basis of trust and respect that supports both
professional and personal development, and creates lasting change.
Our Organizational Structure
The Gestalt International Study Center is incorporated as a nonprofit educational organization (IRS Section 501(c)3). GISC does not discriminate in any of its programs with regard to race, color, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation or handicapped condition. Please contact us if you have any special needs that might affect your participation in any of our programs.
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