Gestalt Coaching Training

4 Learning blocks

10 Practice Lab sessions—20 hours of practice.
6 Relational Coaching Community sessions.
Up to 33 hours of learning in total.

You may book each learning block individually or register for all blocks as a complete programme.

BLOCK 1: FOUNDATIONAL VIDEOS (pre-requisite)

This is a pre-requisite to joining any of the practice labs offered in blocks 2 & 3. The videos offer you a basic overview of what Gestalt means and introduces some of its core underlying principles, providing the shared foundation for our practical work together in the practice labs.

BLOCKS 2 & 3: PRACTICE LABS

The practice labs are divided into two blocks of 5 labs each. Each 2-hour lab session focuses on a different aspect of Gestalt and use of self, diving into a specific Gestalt theme that acts as the spring board for exploration, experimentation, and practice.

In each lab, you’ll be immersed in Gestalt Coaching principles through demos, personal experimentation, small-group practice with feedback, and facilitated discussions. We also work with real-time topics, questions, or “Gestalt” that arise in the room.

In-between the labs, you are encouraged to join a learning group to continue your learning and practice between sessions.

Block 2: The fundamentals

♥ Lab 1: Awareness
♥ Lab 2: Exaggeration & Repetition
♥ Lab 3: Perceptual resonance
♥ Lab 4: Cognitive resonance
♥ Lab 5: Somatic resonance

Block 3: The deeper dive*

♥ Lab 6: Levels of intensity
♥ Lab 7: Projections
♥ Lab 8: Polarities
♥ Lab 9: Empty chair
♥ Lab 10: Bringing it all together

Format & scheduling

♥ Where: Online, 2 hours per lab, 11:00-13:00 CET
♥ Minimum 4, maximum 9 participants per lab
♥ Stable group across each Block for consistent learning
♥ Check the booking form for exact dates

A certificate of attendance will be provided after each lab session, which you can submit for AC Continuous Professional Development (CPD) or ICF Resource Development CCE purposes.

*To book Block 3, you’ll need to have attended Block 2 or an equivalent relational coaching training (such as John Leary-Joyce’s Foundation Gestalt training). If in doubt, please reach out.

For a full description of each lab, see the “LAB DESCRIPTIONS” tab.

BLOCK 4: RELATIONAL COACHING CIRCLE

Throughout the year, you’re invited to join up to 6 Relational Coaching Circles of 90 minutes each.

These sessions give you the space to bring client cases, explore questions from your ongoing learning and practice, or reflect on topics that support your growth as a relational coach. By group agreement, sessions may also include Gestalt-informed and relational peer coaching.

Who this community is for

This community is open to coaches who value a relational approach and are looking for an ongoing space for shared reflection and learning, including:

• Participants of the Gestalt Coaching Practice Labs
• Alumni of John Leary-Joyce’s Gestalt Foundation and Diploma Programmes
• Coaches trained in relational approaches who are seeking a peer-based community of practice

OVERALL LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• A deeper understanding of what it means to be a coach, not just doing coaching, through practice and exploration of “use of self”.
• Hands-on experience with each Gestalt skill across all 10 lab sessions, helping you apply what you learn and real coaching contexts.
• A sense of community through shared learning and exchange with fellow participants.
• My goal is to make each lab session as experiential as possible, so that you may, if you wish, apply those skills with your own clients, and witness the difference it makes for them and your own personal development as a coach.

What to expect from every lab

♥ A short input video introducing the lab’s key theme, to be viewed as preparation prior to the live online lab session.
♥ In the lab, you will experience, experiment, practice, and exchange around a different Gestalt Coaching principle and ways of being as a coach.
♥ Lab sessions would typically include a demonstration, personal experimentation, practice rounds in pairs or triads with feedback and facilitated discussions.
♥ We meet for 2 hours each time, working with the topics, questions, or “Gestalt” present in the room.
♥ In-between labs, you’re encouraged to join a learning group and Relational Coaching Circles to continue your learning and practice between sessions.

Lab 1 – Awareness

In this lab, we explore why awareness is so central to Gestalt, and the different dimensions of awareness. You experience awareness through a couple of exercises. Each subsequent lab (2-9) will then explore a different dimension of awareness through the practice of a specific Gestalt skill.

Lab 2 – Exaggeration, Repetition & Opposites

You will experiment with and practice the use of exaggeration (of gestures, posture, etc.), repetition (of words, sounds, sentences, gestures, etc.), and the exploration of opposites to expand the client’s awareness.

Lab 3 – Perceptual resonance

You will experiment with and practice perceptual resonance—sharing what you notice through your 5 senses—and how to use it impactfully as a coach to enhance the client’s awareness.

Lab 4 – Cognitive resonance

You will experiment with and practice cognitive resonance—sharing what you think—and how to use it impactfully as a coach to enhance the client’s awareness.

Lab 5 – Somatic resonance

You will experiment with and practice somatic resonance—sharing what you feel emotionally or physically—and how to use it impactfully as a coach to enhance the client’s awareness.

Lab 6 – Levels of intensity

You will experiment with and practice the 4 levels of intensity when exploring the client’s story, and how to use it impactfully as a coach to enhance the client’s awareness.

Lab 7 – Projections & Creative experimentation

We introduce the concept of projections and creative experimentation, and you experiment with and practice it with the help of objects and/or images, and how to use it impactfully as a coach to enhance the client’s awareness.

Lab 8 – Polarities

You will experiment with and practice the use of projections and experimentation to explore polarities and the range within a client’s dilemma. Purpose, as always, is to impactfully expand the client’s awareness.

Lab 9 – Empty chair

We introduce the concept of the empty chair, and you experiment with and practice how to use it impactfully as a coach to enhance the client’s awareness, especially in situations of interpersonal conflict.

Lab 10 – Bringing it all together

This session consolidates your learning across all 9 labs, including a final practice.

NB: These Labs are NOT a Gestalt training course per se, but an opportunity to explore and practice Gestalt coaching principles and way of being. If you are looking for a training course, I highly recommend John Leary-Joyce’s trainings. And if in doubt, reach out!

Still have open questions?
I’m only an e-mail away! Or book a 30 min. free chat to make sure this is the right programme for you.

I am a proud member of the Association for Coaching (AC) CPD Scheme.

As such, you will receive a certificate confirming your participation in the practice labs (Blocks 2 & 3) and the number of hours completed, which you can submit to the AC as proof for Continuous Professional Development (CPD).

You may also submit your hours as proof for Resource Development Continuing Coach Education (CCE) units, for example with the ICF.

Practice Labs—Pricing

Block 1: Foundational Videos (9 videos, x hours total)

Free when booked alongside Block 2 or 3.
CHF99.- as a standalone purchase.

Blocks 2 & 3: Practice Labs (10 labs, 20 hours total)

CHF495.- reduced rate for private clients paying out-of-pocket
CHF750.- market rate for participants sponsored by their company

Block 4: Relational Coaching Circle (6 sessions, 9 hours total)

Free.

SPECIAL OFFER

♥ Book all 4 Learning Blocks together and save an additional 10% (offer valid for out-of-pocket payers only).

You pay CHF 890.- (instead of CHF 990.-).

♥ The first three people to book all 4 Learning Blocks also receive a complimentary 60-minute individual coaching session (valued at CHF220.-).

Looking for financial flexibility? See “Fine Print” tab for sliding-scale and payment plan options.

Cancellation by participant

Cancellations must be submitted by email. Refunds depend on the date the cancellation is received:

• More than 60 days before the start date: 100% refund
• 30-60 days before the start date: 75% refund
• 15-29 days before the start date: 50% refund
• 14 days or less before the start date: no refund

Inability to attend a booked session for any reason is considered a cancellation. Exceptions or complimentary rebookings will be handled on an individual basis at the discretion of the Coach.

Cancellation by Coach

In the event of unforeseen circumstances (e.g., illness, accident, bereavement, etc.), or if a session does not meet the minimum number of participants, the Coach reserves the right to cancel sessions, including at short notice. Participants will be informed as early as possible and offered an alternative session or a full refund for the affected session.

Satisfaction guarantee

I want you to get real value from your Gestalt coaching experience. If the programme isn’t what you expected based on the description, and you notify me by the end of the first lab session, I’m happy to explore a full or partial refund with you, depending on the situation.

Can’t afford my rates?

My intention is to make coaching accessible to anyone who needs it, regardless of financial situation, while keeping it sustainable for me. If you are in financial difficulty or earn a modest income, please email me to explore alternatives.

Upon mutual agreement, and subject to my own availability, these alternatives may include:

• Sliding scale pricing for those with modest incomes, so we find something that feels fair and keeps both our hearts open
• An individualised payment plan
• A creative exchange or “barter” arrangement, if appropriate

Money shouldn’t be a barrier for someone to receive quality coaching. So, if my rates feel out of reach, but you would like to work with me, reach out!