Therapists and Wellness Professionals:
Take a deep dive into the profoundly relational Gestalt therapy approach and watch it come alive as Master Gestalt Therapist Dr Michael Reed works with people in 8 real-life demonstrations.
This comprehensive self-study course has 11.5 hours of content.
Gestalt therapy is based on several philosophical theories and has evolved substantially over the past several decades.
Contemporary Gestalt therapy places even more emphasis on the co-created experience between the therapist and client, focusing on what’s happening between them moment to moment in the here and now.
The deeply relational approach emphasizes the importance of both therapist and client increasing their awareness of their intersubjective experience to deepen their connection to provide maximum benefit for the client.
This means that the personhood of the therapist is as important as what’s happening for the client.
Gestalt therapy and Michael, in particular, have an outstanding ability to stay in moment-to-moment contact with people and to say what hasn’t been said.
Through the training, I discovered parts of myself that I had disowned. I became more vulnerable as a human, allowing me to be more authentic and present with clients in the here and now.
Michael is very authentic and skilled. I felt privileged to study with him, and have now embraced the Gestalt therapy stance for over a decade.
Michael Reed, PhD, is a registered psychologist, an accredited clinical social worker, an approved clinical supervisor, and a Fellow member of Gestalt Australia and New Zealand (GANZ). Michael has also been certified as a Gestalt therapist by Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles (GATLA).
Dr. Reed has almost 50 years of clinical experience working with individuals, couples, families, and groups. He has been involved in Gestalt therapy training for over 30 years as a Director of Training, a Faculty Member, and a Visiting Trainer with several accredited and respected training centers/institutes across Australia and New Zealand. He has run training workshops in Hong Kong, the United States, the Middle East, and various cities across Japan.
Dr. Reed has published in psychology, medical, health, counseling, and Gestalt therapy journals and books. He runs a private psychology/Gestalt therapy practice in Crows Nest, Sydney. He was awarded a PhD by the Faculty of Medicine (Psychiatry), the University of Sydney, in 1995 for his research dissertation on ‘Adolescent mental health and family relationships.’
“When I first saw Michael in action, I thought, ‘I want to be a therapist like that.’ His ability to be attentive and track co-created processes in the client’s story – what’s said and what isn’t said – is phenomenal.
Michael makes profound connections with people. You feel his care and get the sense that everyone matters. He works rhythmically in the here and now, with a calm, authentic presence and deep relationality.
He is a living embodiment of what he teaches. He takes his extensive knowledge of Gestalt theory and puts it seamlessly into practice. He’s an amazing therapist and teacher.”
Indigenous Gestalt Psychotherapist, Educator, and Supervising Consultant
“Michael has been immersed in Gestalt therapy and has influenced its development for many decades.
He offers students immeasurable value because of his wealth of experience as a therapist, trainer, and supervisor, and his contributions to the Gestalt community.
He is approachable, warm, and transparent. His style is very relational, and his application of Gestalt therapy is pure – true to the Gestalt approach.
Co-founder & Director, The Relational Institute Australia
Dr. Reed provides a historical background and the philosophical foundations of Gestalt Therapy.
He also discusses Gestalt psychology’s focus on why and how people perceive and experience the world differently and Gestalt therapy’s radical inclusiveness.
He explains how Gestalt emphasizes the potential for growth in the individual rather than their distress, and the 5 laws of meaning-making in Gestalt theory, which are now confirmed by neuroscience.
Dr. Reed discusses the concept of ‘contact’ and its role in helping individuals fulfill their needs and interests.
He explains the ‘contact boundary’ and how it separates client and therapist, and how it is also the point of connectedness.
Dr. Reed gives several examples of individuals’ contact styles and the role they play in the therapy relationship.
Dr. Reed discusses ‘field theory’ in relation to Gestalt therapy. Field theory holds that behavior is a function of a person within their environment, and the client’s and therapist’s experience and behavior are a function of that environment.
He explains how, in Gestalt therapy, the therapist explores the field’s recurring patterns and various figures and configurations over time that are relevant to the therapy process and the client
Dr. Reed covers the principles of the ‘dialogical approach’ inherent in Gestalt therapy and discusses how it plays out in healing moments with clients.
Dr. Reed also explains what it means for the therapist to bring one’s whole self to the therapeutic relationship while in dialogue with the client.
Dr. Reed explains the clinical applications of Gestalt’s theoretical underpinnings discussed in the previous modules.
In a pre-recorded video, Dr. Reed discusses 3 case studies where he used the Gestalt approach.
The first case study is a client who worked in the corporate world and struggled with depression and bullying at work.
The second client Dr. Reed discusses is an adolescent client who suffered from a wide range of health symptoms that she feared would cause her to die, yet no medical cause could be found.
The third client was concerned about his short temper, agitation, short attention span, procrastination, and reliance on gambling and alcohol.
These demonstrations are where Gestalt therapy truly comes alive. You’ll watch Dr. Reed work masterfully with 8 people presenting real issues in unscripted, authentic demos.
They show how the philosophy and principles of Gestalt Therapy are applied in the therapy relationship.
You’ll see how a master Gestalt therapist:
Tracks moment-to-moment awareness and names what’s emerging for himself and the client
Uses contact to deepen presence and connection
Turns abstract philosophical principles into practical, emotionally resonant action to facilitate change
These recordings are the heart of the course. They offer a rare opportunity to observe the skill, authenticity, and relational presence of Dr Reed.
In the 2 recorded discussion sessions, Dr. Reed explains and expands upon the concepts presented in the 5 pre-recorded modules. The discussions are with therapists and are true to Dr. Reed’s experiential style.
The Relational Dance Between Therapist and Patient with Dan Bloom [Video, Audio & Transcript]
Gestalt therapist Dan Bloom explains the dance in the therapy relationship. He explains that inherent in the ‘here and now’ is the ‘there and then’ and the ‘what is next.’
Dan also talks about the concept of ‘contact boundary’ and the fluidity of the back-and-forth that happens between therapist and patient to co-create the experience in the therapy relationship.
A Gestalt Perspective on Sexual Attraction in the Therapeutic Relationship with Dr. Leanne O’Shea [Video, Audio & Transcript]
Dr. Leanne O’Shea discusses the difficulty therapists have talking about sexual attraction in the therapy relationship, often leaving clients stranded.
She explores the delicate dance between making a sexual transgression and being helpful to clients without risking the therapeutic relationship.
Gestalt Couples Therapy: “Two become One and Then There are None” with Drs. Robert and Rita Resnick [Video, Audio & Transcript]
2 seasoned Gestalt couples therapists explain their model of couples therapy, which is based on connection and how couples deal with differences.
The Resnicks explain how the goal of Gestalt couples therapy is to help each person self-regulate and consider the needs of the other so they can be connected while maintaining the self.
A Gestalt Approach to Family Therapy with Dr. Michael Reed [Video, Audio & Transcript]
In this bonus interview, Dr. Reed explains how he incorporates Gestalt psychology into the family systems approach.
He states that there is no one Gestalt family therapy approach, as different practitioners incorporate various aspects of Gestalt psychology into their approach to family therapy. However, he explains how Gestalt family therapists still emphasize the experience of the client and therapist in the room.
Gestalt Therapy Resource List
When you register for this course, you’ll have access to this extensive list of Gestalt resources compiled by Dr. Reed. It includes books, films, videos, and training centers worldwide.
18 Gestalt Therapy articles recommended by Dr. Reed
For this course, Dr. Reed has shared the full text of 18 published articles that he recommends written by various Gestalt experts. These articles will further enhance your understanding of Dr. Reed’s teachings.
Summaries and Key TakeAways
This course is jam-packed with in-depth information – these documents summarize the essential concepts from each modules and bonus interview so you don’t have to rewatch hours of videos when you want to review the content.
I was first exposed to Michael and the Gestalt approach in my post-graduate counselling program. His demonstrations blew everyone away. Our jaws would be on the ground in awe, wondering how a person could make such profound shifts in a 20-minute conversation with Michael.
Watching Michael, I thought,’ If I could do therapy like that one day, it would be incredible.’
Michael quickly gets to the heart of a person’s issue in a very caring and sensitive way. He weaves threads together, creating an incredibly intimate experience that touches people deeply. You have to see him in action to believe it.
Michael is an exceptionally rare therapist who embodies the Gestalt approach in everything he does. I can’t imagine what kind of therapist I’d be without having been privileged to have studied with him.
Gestalt and Relationship Therapist
The course offers 11.5 hours of high-value content, including a rare opportunity to observe Dr. Reed facilitating Gestalt therapy with individuals facing real-life issues.
Learn this highly relational therapy approach to connect more deeply with your clients from a leader in the Gestalt therapy field,
The course was well-structured, thorough, and highly engaging. I watched and read everything included and enjoyed every single bit of it.
As a new therapist, the course expanded my awareness of the importance of working with the process in sessions – staying present with the client in the here and now and not feeling pressured to have all the answers.
I learned so much from Michael’s gentle delivery and presence in both his teaching and demonstrations. He has a way of making complex concepts easy to understand.
I highly recommend this course for all therapists. Whether aspiring Gestalt therapists or not, there is much to gain from its rich content.
Certified Practicing Counsellor (Former Lawyer, Notary Public)
Perhaps you’re on the fence about taking this course for one or more of these reasons:
1. You wonder why we say gestalt therapy is Relational – isn’t all therapy relational?
Yes, of course, all therapy is relational.
The main difference with the Gestalt approach is that it is embedded in the therapist’s and client’s co-created experience in the here and now, and how this influences the process and outcome of therapy.
2. You’re not sure you need to learn another method of therapy and wonder how gestalt fits with the other methods that you practice.
Gestalt therapy isn’t a technique or method. It is a humanistic, existential approach embedded in the therapist-client relationship. The framework can be used with any therapy method and can profoundly enhance it.
3. You wonder if Dr. Reed Adheres to the approach of its founder fritz perls who was highly confrontational.
As mentioned above, Gestalt therapy has undergone significant evolution since its inception.
It has taken a much more empathic and appropriate style than what was illustrated by Dr. Perls.
4. You want to know if gestalt therapy is evidence based.
Over the past several decades, research has supported the underlying theories of Gestalt therapy, including research in neuroscience.
5. I have trouble comprehending some of the philosophy underlying Gestalt therapy.
There is no need to be concerned. In the recorded Discussion Sessions, Dr. Reed discusses and explains the concepts in greater depth.
AND…
You can observe the philosophy and principles of Gestalt in action through the 8 powerful demonstrations Dr. Reed conducts with individuals facing real-life challenges.
The bottom line is…
If you’re serious about building deeper relationships with your clients, consider signing up for the course.
I was pleasantly surprised by how practical and applicable the Gestalt approach proved to be.
To see Gestalt ‘in action’ was more powerful than I anticipated.
I have changed in relation to the concept of ‘difference’ and in attending to the process. I’m paying much more attention to these in my daily life as well as with my clients.
Dr. Reed is awesome. His extensive knowledge and calm, clear presence are delightful. I’m grateful for his example of a way of being with others and creating an excellent learning environment.
I was also very impressed with the organisation and logistics of the course – everything ran seamlessly.
Executive Coach
The course is geared toward psychotherapists, counselors, psychologists, psychiatrists, and any other helping professional who wants to deepen their relationship with clients.
This course is pre-recorded.
The course includes:
5 PRE-RECORDED CORE MODULES
3 CASE STUDIES
In a video recording, Dr. Reed describes 3 case studies where he applies the relational approach to clients he has worked with.
8 PRE-RECORDED LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS
These demonstrations are with 8 participants who presented their real concerns to Dr. Reed who then demonstrated Gestalt therapy in action.
7 BONUSES
The bonuses include 4 pre-recorded interviews with expert gestalt therapists and 2 PDF documents including a resource list and several articles recommended by Dr. Reed.
2 DISCUSSION SESSIONS
In these recorded sessions, Dr. Reed discusses the concepts presented in the modules.
If you don’t receive value from the course (highly unlikely), you can ask for your money back within 7 days of registering.
You can download your certificate for 11.5 hours of course content once you pass the short course quiz.
USA
NBCC – This program does not qualify for NBCC credit.
Canada
CEC’s – CCPA (Canadian Counselling Association). CCPA will give CECs if you submit your certificate to them.
Australia
ODPs – ACA (Australian Counselling Association)
10 OPD (Ongoing Professional Development) points
CPDs – PACFA (Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia)
9 hours category A CPD (Continuing Professional Development)
You will have access to the materials in the learning center for 180 days (6 months) from the date you signed up for the course.
However, you can download all materials and save them forever.
Michael is an expert in Gestalt therapy.
His students, without exception, reported that he was knowledgeable and inspiring and embodied Gestalt therapy, bringing it to life.
Michael is dependable and quite generous with his time and resources. He’s warm-hearted, kind, and a highly competent therapist and teacher.
Counsellor and Educator
If you don’t find value in the materials, we’ll refund 100% of your fee within 7 days of registering.
When I first studied with Michael, I was frustrated. I didn’t understand his approach because my training had been purely academic up until that point.
But Michael opened me up to experience some powerful moments. He helped me see multiple perspectives, and I came to understand that not everything had to be causal and linear.
Michael is an exceptional trainer. He’s a deep thinker with a very experiential style. The power of the Gestalt approach, particularly working with the ‘here and now,’ is embedded in my coaching style and benefits my clients greatly.
Managing Director, Leadership Unstuck
Email us with your questions.
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