FAQ

Q. What is Gestalt Therapy?

A. Gestalt therapy is a growth-oriented approach that values self-awareness and self-responsibility in living. The Gestalt Approach embraces a person's whole life experience - physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional, interpersonal and spiritual. Each of these interconnected aspects of living is considered inseparable from a person's environment, history and culture. From a Gestalt perspective, healthy living is grounded in a person's awareness of how they live their life, in the present, through their relationships with their world. Gestalt therapy seeks to promote a person's awareness, facilitate connectedness to the many aspects of a person's life experience, support creative choice and encourage responsibility in a person's efforts to realise a meaningful and fulfilling life.

Q: What is GANZ?

A. GANZ (Gestalt Australia & New Zealand) is the peak professional Association representing gestalt practitioners in this region of the world. Formally established in 1998, GANZ seeks to promote the study of gestalt therapy and practice as a specialty in the area of psychology, and to advance the ethical practice of gestalt therapy across a range of settings involving human and environmental wellbeing. GANZ seeks to maintain a professionally-based Association which is inclusive, representative, respectful, human and humane. Information about GANZ, including membership criteria and student membership details, can be found on the GANZ website at www.ganz.org.au

Q: What is PACFA?

A. PACFA stands for ‘Psychotherapy and Counsellors Federation of Australia'. Established in the late 1990's PACFA is a federation of over 40 professional Associations (including GANZ) representing a range of counselling and psychotherapy modalities and approaches. All member Associations of PACFA have to meet the standards of a professional Association which include: a constitution, training standards, criteria for membership and a code of ethics. PACFA is the peak professional body representing counselors and psychotherapists in discussions with the Federal Government and Private Health Insurance services regarding such matters as medicare and health insurance professional rebates. Information about PAFCA is available on the PACFA website at www.pacfa.org.au

Q. What is the philosophy of GPTS?

A. Our philosophy is grounded in a contemporary, eloquent, sophisticated and relational approach to training and therapy. Our collaborative approach to teaching, training and service delivery focuses on challenging, extending and expanding the trainee's thinking, theoretical knowledge, skills, practice methods, personal knowledge, development and awareness; hence our motto, "extending your edge". We do this by encouraging development of your unique style in the practice of Gestalt Therapy.

Q. Who can apply to the GPTS program?

A. Our annual intake draws from a number of groups:
* qualified professionals and students in the health, mental health, welfare, educational, human resources and organisational fields
* people who have completed or partially completed training in other Gestalt training programs
* people whose life and/or professional experience prepares them for training and who can make a case, given their background, for inclusion in the course.
After completing the GPTS application form (available on our website), you will be invited to attend an intake interview. Intake places are offered to individuals following this interview. There are a maximum of 12 places per annual intake per training year.

Q. What are the benefits of training with GPTS?

A. GPTS have highly qualified and experienced trainers whose aim is to extend you, and help you achieve your full potential as a Gestalt Therapist.

Our trainers:
* Are GANZ College members
* Have extensive clinical and training experience with most having completed Doctoral and Masters degree programs
* Are committed to the development, training, research and practice of Gestalt Therapy at local, national and international levels
* Most are past or current elected members of the GANZ executive council

Our program:
* Is designed to support each trainee's style of practice
* Provides highest quality training in ‘contemporary' and ‘leading edge' theory and methodology, and the application of Gestalt Therapy
* Supports collaboration between trainers and trainees in developing an adult learning environment and community
* Is a pathway to a Masters of Gestalt Therapy degree (La Trobe University) for those with an undergraduate degree
* Has over 95% retention rate of trainees

Q. How will I be assessed through the course?

A. 3 broad areas are assessed each year: theory, practice skills, and personal development. Theory is assessed by completion of 2 written assignments each year, and the evaluation of practice skills and personal development is ongoing throughout the year with formal feedback given twice per year. Assessment for the final year (4th year) consist of completion of a thesis or major project, and in vivo assessment of a clinical case.

Q. How is GPTS quality-controlled?

A. GPTS program is quality-controlled by its accreditation by GANZ. GPTS has to re-apply for accreditation every four years. At each review for accreditation, the curriculum is re-examined in detail to ensure minimum standard, as well as breadth and depth of training of training is attained.
Regular feedback by the training faculty and trainees on program delivery and development provides another method of quality control.

Q. How is the curriculum organised?

A. The curriculum is organised in a developmental and competency framework, whereby each year build upon the previous year, across the domains of personal development, sound theoretical and methodological learning, and practice skills.

Q. Is the GPTS Program recognised by the NSW Higher Education Board?

A. The GPTS program is accredited by GANZ and meets the rigorous training standards of both GANZ and PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counsellors Federation of Australia). The GPTS training program has been designed to meet many of the requirements of the NSW Higher Education Board. The GPTS faculty consists of individuals who completed Higher Education qualifications, at the PhD, PsyD and Masters levels. As a professional training institute, GPTS has not applied for Higher Education Board approval holding the view that training in Gestalt Therapy requires going beyond academic excellence. GPTS training is grounded in the development of a unique, creative, theoretically and ethically sound, skilled gestalt practitioner.

Q. What qualification do I receive at the end of training?

A. A certificate of completion is presented to each trainee who successfully completes each year of training:
Year 1 - Certificate
Year 2 - Advance Certificate
Year 3 - Diploma
Year 4 - Advanced Diploma and certification as a Gestalt Therapist (on successful completion of a practical ‘in vivo' assessment)
Successful completion of the GPTS 4 year program fulfils the requirements for membership of GANZ and provides a pathway to apply for the ‘Master of Gestalt Therapy' program through La Trobe University, Melbourne.