2024 Impact Report

Impact Report

The Gestalt Institute of Cleveland (GIC) continues to be a leading force in promoting personal and professional growth through the application of Gestalt principles and practices. In 2024, we stabilized our operations, enhanced our programs, and made small but important strides in fostering positive change in individuals, organizations, and communities.

Key Achievements

      *Coaching cohort exceeded goals for participation by 10%

       *GTP met goals for participation

       *$92K raised to support operations and scholarships

       *Finances stabilized and one year lease re-signed

       *Emerging partnership with Case Western Reserve University initiated, initial programming designed

       *20 new workshops developed, 8 launched

        *Ohio Psychological Association accreditation renewed

       *National Board for Certified Counselors accreditation achieved

       *Internal policies updated to align with accreditations


We have surveyed our participants:

Majority of respondents say that the content of our programs and workshops are useful for their CE’s or professional development

Majority of respondents agree that they understand and apply concepts and principles learned in our workshops

Majority of respondents agree the exercises in Gestalt programs and workshops are appropriate for their personal learning and professional application

Here’s what participants have to say about our programs:

“Overall very powerful learning environment.”

“I'm blown away by the fact that I got as much or more personally as professionally. Loved the variety of
configurations and the availability of the faculty.”

“Well structured, well managed, significant learning.”

“Excellent opportunity for experiential learning. Exceptionally objective faculty guidance, interventions and
facilitation.”

“Learned a lot about myself and how to use myself more effectively as a leader.”

Community Impact

  • Increased donations to the Tessa Kepner-Kraus Fund which provides tuition assistance to those facing financial barriers, with a focus on promoting diversity and inclusion in our programs. In 2024, 11 individuals attended our programs due to this assistance.

  • Hosted 43 information sessions - reaching 145 new people - throughout the year, increasing awareness and accessibility of Gestalt programs and workshops

Research and Innovation

  • Collaborated with the Brain, Mind & Consciousness Laboratory at Case Western Reserve University to further explore the neurological impacts of Gestalt practices to explore the intersection of neuroscience and Gestalt theory and practice

 

Leadership Within the Gestalt Community: International Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Theory (IAAGT)

Gestalt faculty were thought leaders at this international conference, presenting on Gestalt theory and practice. GIC affiliates helped organize the conference, presented a total of 7 workshops (2 in the pre-conference) and facilitated process groups. This year the conference was held mid-September in Vera Cruz, Mexico. The full list of GIC-lead workshops is below.

Pre-conference

  • Going Deeper Faster: Coaching with Character Structure Coaching: Melissa Kelly-McCabe, MS, MCC, GPCC

  • A Gestalt Humanity Challenge: Embodied Connecting In The Polarized Relational Field Of Exile And Belonging: Philip Belzunce, PhD, IMFT, BCC, BCPP; Lalei Gutierrez, PhD, IMFT, BCC, BCPP; Shareefah Sabur, MA, CDP, MNO, BCC, GPCC; and Elizabeth Welch, MA, CDP, GPCC

  • When the Women Gather - Our 20th Anniversary: Ann Bowman; Gayla Feinstein, LCSW, LMT

  • Healing Trauma in the Path of Recovery: Exploring the healing relationship: Rafael Cortina, MFT, MBA

  • Meeting Before Knowing: Michael Islas; Jennifer Bury, BFA, CMT, Certified Trainer in DSP™

Main conference

  • Deepening Coaching Impact Using Constellations: Melissa Kelly-McCabe, MS, MCC, GPCC
    Conflict, Conflict Resolution and Culture: Acknowledging and Reimagining Our Stories: Marlene Blumenthal, PhD

  • Decolonizing Gestalt: Being Seen in the In-between: Eden Brown, MA, PACFA; Kirti Singh, MSc. PCC GPCC; Martha Potts, PhD; Margaret Yao, MBA, ACC, GPCC; Maya Simek, ESQ, LISW-S, MSW

  • Exploring Links between Neuroscience and Gestalt: Anthony “Tony” Jack, PhD

  • The Complexity of Coaching Teams vs Groups: Critical Lenses to Inform Your Work: Andy Powell, MA, PCC, GPCC, ICF Advanced Certification in Team coaching, EMCC Global Accredited Team Coach

  • Shamebusting: Women Speaking the Unspeakable: Gayla Feinstein, LCSW, LMT

  • Perception? Reality? World of Our Imagination?: Shareefah Sabur, MA, CDP, MNO, BCC, GPCC; Melissa Kelly-McCabe, MS, MCC, GPCC

  • Come to Your Senses: Jennifer Bury, BFA, CMT, Certified Trainer in DSP™

  • Creating a Safe Space for My Antagonist: Rafael Cortina, MFT, MBA

    Gestalt Institute of Cleveland program highlights

  •  Re-launch of Introduction to Gestalt, reaching a new – though small – audience, and generating referrals to other Gestalt Institute
    programs

  • NEW! The Art and Science of Transformational Growth, an introductory course connecting the neuroscience of positive behavior change and contemporary Gestalt methods

  • A series of Advanced GEW’s planned for spring, 2025, to reconnect alumni to their original Gestalt experiences, and create the opportunity for those who have completed trainings to experience “next-level” personal growth

Looking Ahead

As we move into 2025, GIC is committed to:

  1. Offering more and diverse programming for new audiences and re-engaging our loyal alumni

  2. Developing new programs focused on organizational transformation and community engagement

  3. Strengthening partnerships with academic institutions and research centers to advance Gestalt theory and practice