The Gestalt Institute of Cleveland
Areas of Training
Organizational Training (OD)
In 1966, the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland (GIC) pioneered the application of Gestalt theory to work with groups and organizations. Our work with organizations and professionals continues through our Executive & Organization Development (OD) programs. Today, GIC is one of the premier institutes for the study, development, and application of Gestalt theory to organizations and our programs draw participants from all over the world.
The primary objective of our OD programs is to further the use and development of Gestalt theory and methodology in executive and organizational contexts. Offerings within OD include professional training programs, organizational consulting, in-depth research, and workshops.
All OD programs and workshops integrate The Gestalt Approach within the context of their varying organizational topics. The gestalt model embraces the person, group, or organization as a dynamic integrated organism. Organizations are viewed as a complex system existing as a whole entity with interactive parts. The gestalt approach seeks to raise awareness of obstacles to growth and to find creative solutions which support harmony between the person or organization and the environment.
GIC's gestalt based training programs provide you with a range of invaluable concepts, methodologies and tools to enhance your professional and personal skills. Participants will experience intensive, personalized, and multi-faceted learning. Unique to our approach is that each workshop and program is a balance of direct teaching and immediate application.
Your presence will expand - bringing you greater effectiveness and opportunities to influence. You will leave with new skills to immediately apply to your real-world challenges on all levels. Whether you're an executive, leader, OD professional or consultant, our OD programs can help you grow your greatest asset - you.
Your Learning Experience
A variety of methods are used in OD programs, including demonstrations, readings, simulations, role-plays, fieldwork assignments, small group practice, interactive sessions, and step-by-step skill building experiences.
The primary learning experience will be by doing. Participants will work with individuals, groups, and organizations in a personal learning laboratory, where learning can be safely explored, as well as with their own systems or clients, as part of the learning process. They will be required to develop learning projects outside the program, and they will receive consultation and feedback for these projects throughout the course of their work.
We place a strong emphasis on learning by doing. Why? Because we believe you can learn the theory to some degree in a much shorter time frame, but our programs are designed to allow practice, get feedback, and try again. As a result, our programs use a multi-session approach with sessions over a 9 to 12 month period to give you time to begin to integrate what you are learning, experiment on the job, and continue your learning in a supportive group during the next session.
Unique to our OD programs, attendees frequently become part of a participant team that will work with an assigned client in the Cleveland area. You will contract with the client and intervene based on principles you=ve been studying. This is a real opportunity to see how the Gestalt approach works in real time with people facing real business challenges.
Who Should Attend
Individuals who want to enhance their ability to influence people and systems through increased competence and effectiveness in managing self and others to achieve desired outcomes. Typical attendees are executives, directors, managers, administrators, consultants, executive and life coaches, and other professionals.
Our Faculty
Our faculty of over 40 members includes outstanding scholars, teachers, authors, and practitioners of Gestalt theory and its applications across multiple disciplines. The faculty of each program is selected based on their unique expertise and contribution thus providing a rich in-depth learning experience for our participants.