Foundation Gestalt Coaching by John Leary-Joyce (in person)

This in person programme runs over two days and is designed to be highly experiential as a prerequisite to theoretical understanding, with opportunities for ‘in the moment’ learning from personal and group experience. A Gestalt framework offers a way of being, of developing presence, so that the coach acts as a powerful role model in their work. It focuses on how beliefs, values and attitude affect people’s relationships, how they respond to change and therefore the impact on business targets. Relational and creative, it promotes clarity and discovery where more rational approaches no longer offer the solution.

We are delighted to have John, founder and board member of Academy of Executive Coaching  ('AoEC')  coach us with us his deep experience in Gestalt Coaching.  John's books (Systemic Team Coaching & The Fertile Void) help demystify complex Gestalt principles and translate them gracefully into clear and impactful ways to make a difference to our Coaching practice.  

About the nature of sensory and emotional awareness and paradoxical nature of change – the Gestalt approach integrates the cognitive, emotional and behavioural aspects of relationships and supports good communication and understanding.

How to better use observations of what you see, hear and feel in client systems and how people and events are systemically connected within organisations.

How to use the Gestalt Cycle of Experience as a dynamic model to understand individual and group development.

How to work effectively with resistance in the coaching practice by exploring the function of resistance and irrational behaviour.

Gestalt based coaching is underpinned by a number of interconnected concepts:

• Present centred awareness: awareness is seen as curative and growth producing. The coaching process follows the client’s experience, staying with what is present and aware.
• Emphasis on the unique experience of the individual: individual experience comprises emotions, perceptions, behaviour and body sensations as well as memories and ideas and is honoured and respected as being true for each individual.
• Creative experimentation: the collaborative efforts of the client and coach promote growth and discovery through experimental methodology in which the coach ‘tests’ out hunches against the client’s experience and modifies accordingly.
• Relationship: Relationship is central to the change process. Presence, dialogue and the visibility of the coach characterise the co-created relationship of client and coach.

The learning situation is viewed as a micro organisation, paralleling many of the interpersonal and team issues thrown up in the workplace. Therefore, attention is paid to the internal workings of the group and learning points are drawn from personal and group experience.

Learning is shared through faculty-led sessions and skills practise in small groups.

Your learning and development are always supported in a safe and comfortable environment to ensure you grow your confidence by working with your strengths and receiving personal and structured feedback from peers and supervision from faculty.

This workshop is approved for up to 12 CCEUs by the ICF.

This programme is designed to support your development in coaching. For those who would like to know more about the basics in Gestalt please refer to John's website for an Introduction to Gestalt.  A short article on the Gestalt theoretical position for Use of Self is available to support your learning.