TRAINING COURSE LEADING TO G.P.T.I. ACCREDITATION Trainer: Peter Philippson, MSc., Teaching Fellow, Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute UK, founder member, Manchester Gestalt Centre, co-author, 'Gestalt: Working in Groups', editor, 'The Nature of Pain', co-editor, 'Topics in Gestalt Therapy'. Guest trainers will join us from time to time, and senior trainees will assist on workshops. Our next three-year Gestalt training course in Manchester will run from from September 2002. This course meets the basic requirements for trainees to enter the examination for the Diploma of the Gestalt Psychotherapy Training Institute UK, which is a founder member of the UK Council for Psychotherapy, and is widely recognised in Health Service, Social Service and other "helping" provision. Graduates from this course, who meet any further requirements of UKCP, are eligible for UKCP registration as Gestalt Psychotherapists. Eligibility Trainees will be qualified in one of the "helping professions", or will be able to show that they have achieved "graduate level competence" in the field. Training Groups The main training format will consist of 5 bi-monthly training groups of 3 days' duration, taking place on a Friday to a Sunday, followed by a 5-day residential. Training would take place from 9.30a.m. to 5.30p.m. on each day, making (excluding lunch) 6 hours' training per day. A year's training would therefore count as 120 hours. Each group would have 18-20 participants, including visitors from other training centres. The group would contain the four elements: group process, theory, therapy and practical therapy exercises. These will not necessarily be distinct sessions. Trainees will be required to attend at least two residentials. Most of the groups will have a theme. These themes will be the subject of the theory slots, and will be explored in some of the other sessions. However, none of the groups would be limited by the theme to the exclusion of other more 'here-and-now' issues in the group. Other training opportunities G.P.T.I. trainees are expected to train with other Teaching Members of the Institute, as well as their primary trainer. They are welcome to apply for workshops at other participating training centres, as well as for guest workshops with top trainers. Recent guests of G.P.T.I. affiliated training centres have included Erving and Miriam Polster and Elinor Greenberg. Peer Group Trainees will meet at least monthly in groups of four to practice therapy and to study together. Leaderless Group The whole group will meet without trainers for one weekend in each of the second and third years. They can use this time in any way they decide is useful. Course members would be expected to be in Gestalt therapy during the course, and also in Gestalt supervision when they are working with clients. The G.P.T.I. minimum requirement for supervision hours in order to be eligible for examination is 200 hours. I shall organise monthly supervision groups for my trainees. Trainees will be required to have supervision from other gestaltists during the course of their training. Therapy will be available from the other staff at the Manchester Gestalt Centre and senior Gestalt trainees. Two weekend Gestalt therapy groups will be run each training year for trainees. These will be run by guest Gestalt therapists, to help trainees to experience Gestalt therapy in action in a variety of styles. Written Work Trainees will be required to submit written work of 1,500 words' length after each workshop linking their personal experience (in and out of the workshop) to the theory they have learnt. Reading Trainees will be expected to read the books on the booklist, and subscribe (either individually or in their Peer Group) to the American and British Gestalt Journals. Senior trainees will be able and expected to assist on training and therapy groups (both weekend and ongoing). These will count towards supervision hours. If not working in medical settings, they will be expected to undertake a placement in a psychiatric setting. Missed weekends will have to be made up, either by taking an equivalent workshop, or by arranging an extra workshop (not necessarily at weekends). Either of these will be at the trainee's expense. Where trainees are not ready for examination after the three years (which they normally are not), we shall include the flexibility to organise an extra course of study, targetting specific training weekends, therapy, or supervision, as appropriate. Case study and examination On receiving approval from their primary trainer and supervisor, trainees will be required to present to the Institute a Case Study demonstrating their approach to psychotherapy and practice management. If this is passed by the examiners, they will be examined orally by Teaching Members of the Institute who are not their primary trainers, together with an external examiner. In this examination, they will be asked questions on their theoretical understanding of Gestalt theory and practice management. They will also present their work with clients by means of a videotape or audiotape, and be asked questions on this. The pass criterion in this examination is twofold: there is a core curriculum of theory and practice which will be examined, as well as the question "Would I refer a client to this person?" Cost The cost will be clarified nearer to the start of the course. This will be payable in two equal instalments. Some bursaries and options for payment by instalments may be available. Extra costs will include supervision, personal psychotherapy, membership of GPTI and books, journals, etc. Many Health Authorities, Social Services Departments and Further Education establishments have shown themselves willing to cover these training costs for their employees. Application Apply to Peter Philippson at Manchester Gestalt Centre, with a CV and a letter about your interest in the course, together with the names and addresses of two referees. If you are short-listed to enter the course, you will be called for interview. N.B. While these details will be kept to as much as possible, we may have to alter details of this course in line with the training requirements of G.P.T.I. or the UK Council for Psychotherapy, or to cover increased costs. The next intake for training towards the GPTI Diploma in Gestalt Psychotherapy, and UKCP registration will be in September 2002 Contact Peter on 0161 2572202