On April 6, 2025, those gathered in person and virtually adopted a name for our efforts: The National Association of Gestalt Practitioners.

A sense of mission was identified, activities brainstormed, and a Next Steps Group was formed to shepherd the organization’s development. Continue to visit here for updates!

Important Information If You Are Attending The Meeting Onsite or On Zoom

 Information For On-Site Participation  – Scroll Down For Zoom Participation

The Westin O’Hare – Information 
6100 North River Road let me know
Rosemont, Illinois, USA, 60018
All Services:  1-800-937-8461  Check-in: 3:00 PM, Check-out: 12:00 PM

Ground Transportation Information:  To request an airport shuttle from The Westin O’Hare Hotel, you can either call the hotel directly at 847-698-6000 or, for domestic terminals, find the shuttle at the Terminal 2 Lower-Level Arrivals roadway curbside.  For domestic terminals, the shuttle runs to the domestic terminal every 20 minutes between 4:40 a.m. and 1:35 a.m.

Local Dining Options:  For a list of nearby restaurants, visit: TripAdvisor – Restaurants Near The Westin O’Hare.  Our agenda is full and we hope that lunches will be working lunches to continue our work from the mornings.  Our contract stipulates we cannot eat lunch in the meeting room, making our time constraints more challenging.  On Saturday at 5:30 pm we will adjourn across the street to Carlucci’s for food and drinks as part of our participation.  Alcohol will be available at a cash bar.

Information Sheet For Zoom Meeting Participation

 We will do everything that we can to help those of us who are online to be integrally involved with everything happening on site. Please be on time so that you can participate from the beginnings.

Meeting Schedule Day 1:  April 5, 2025, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (CDT/Central Daylight Time)

Meeting Schedule Day 2:  April 6, 2025, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM(CDT/Central Daylight Time)

You must have the link and meeting ID to join the gathering.

 Make A Financial Donation: 

Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated. Donate via:

• Venmo: @Charles-Bowman-53, aagtone@gmail.com, xxx-xxx-9202
• Mail Checks to: Charlie Bowman, Indianapolis Gestalt Institute, 9292 N Meridian #311, Indianapolis, IN 46260

Thanks to those who have given generously so far we have raised $5,270!    

Andy L.
Ann B.
Ansel and Nancy W.
Brad L
Bruce A.
Cara O.
Carol S.
Caroline P.
Catherine E.
Cathy G.
Charlie B.
Doug G.
Ewa B.
Frank B.
Frank W.
Gail F.
Gary G.
Iris F.
Jamie R.
Janneke van B.
Jennifer G.
Jim B.
Justin O.
Katerine W.
Kathy C.
Ken H.
Laurie F.
Lee Z.
Liv E.
Marlene B.
Morgan G.
Nancy B.
P. T. W.
Peter C.
Sarah B.
Sherry N.
Susan G.
Theo S.
Rafael C.
Shareefah S.
Steven E.
Terry M.
Tom P.

We still need donations to cover expenses and seed our next gathering!

HERE WE GO! 

FOR THOSE ATTENDING OUR GATHERING …

April 5, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM, April 6, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

The Westin O’Hare, Chicago

Reservations call 888-236-2427

We invite you to prepare for our gathering!  Please answer the three questions below and review the “Summary & Vision” document at the end of this email.  Share your responses – on our Google group (unitedstatesgestalt@googlegroups.com), directly to Cathy (cathybgray@gmail.com) or Charlie (aagtone@gmail.com), or our website (https://usgestalt.org/index.php/ideas/).

1. 1. 1. What is your hope for the gathering?
      2. What do you hope we avoid doing?
      3. What are the 2 most important things you want to be accomplished by the end of the day Sunday?

We have compiled responses from the Ideas page of our website that were submitted by 22 members.  Please find these at the end of this email.  Take a look at these categories and ideas.  We need to collect this information by Tuesday  to give us time to compile answers prior to our meeting.  This will give us a rich ground as we begin our contacting.

Please respond by next Tuesday:  Consider what you want in our organization and share your vision – on our Google group (unitedstatesgestalt@googlegroups.com), directly to Cathy (cathybgray@gmail.com) or Charlie (aagtone@gmail.com), or our website (https://usgestalt.org/index.php/ideas/).

FOR ALL OF US …  

Our organization has quickly expanded to include 110 Gestalt practitioners—with 28 attending in person and 38 joining virtually for our upcoming gathering.  Over 40 of us will not be present at this meeting. This makes our communication critical!  Let your voice be heard on usgestalt.org, or unitedstatesgestalt@googlegroups.com.  Consider a dialogue with a colleague attending our gathering as your proxy.  We will feel your presence!

Donate your expertise!

• We need help with AV set up. We will use Zoom via Apple TV and MacBook Air including external mics, speakers, and video. Our A/V department does not exist.
• We need someone proficient in filing for incorporation following the Chicago gathering.
• We need someone to launch a better platform than Google groups for our communication needs.
• We encourage you to consider stepping forward in a leadership role.

Make A Financial Donation:

Contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated. Donate via:

• Venmo: @Charles-Bowman-53, aagtone@gmail.com, xxx-xxx-9202
• Mail Checks to: Charlie Bowman, Indianapolis Gestalt Institute, 9292 N Meridian #311, Indianapolis, IN 46260

Thanks to those who have given generously so far we have raised $5,000!    Andy Lapides, Ann Bowman, Ansel & Nancy Woldt, Brad Larson-Sanchez, Bruce Aaron, Cara Olsen, Carol Swanson, Caroline Paltin, Cathy Gray, Charlie Bowman, Doug Graiver, Ewa Barnaby, Frank Bosco, Frank Wu, Gail Feinstein, Gary Gray, Iris Fodor, Jamie Renbarger, Janneke van Beusekom, Jennifer Gould, Justin O’Conner, Katerine Wilkinson, Kathy Clegg, Ken Hutchinson, Laurie Fitzpatrick, Lee Zevy, Liv Estrup, Marlene Blumenthal, Nancy Bristol, P. T. Wilson, Peter Cole, Rafael Cortina, Shareefah Sabur, Sherry Neubert, Susan Gregory, and Theo Stripling

 U.S. Gestalt Therapy Association – Summary & Vision Document

🧭 Mission & Vision

• Evolve Gestalt Theory: Advance and apply Gestalt principles to meet today’s interpersonal and global challenges.
• Foster Collaboration: Strengthen cooperation among Gestalt institutes and practitioners.
• Educate & Advocate: Expand public and professional understanding of Gestalt theory in psychotherapy, coaching, mediation, and more.
• Support Practitioners: Cultivate peer support, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.

📚 Proposed Activities & Services

• Collaboration Tools:
• – Quarterly Zoom meetings among institutes
• – Shared universal calendar of Gestalt-informed events
• – National and regional conferences
• Educational Resources:
• – Web-based materials: blogs, podcasts, videos
• – CEU-accredited classes and programs
• – “Training Squad” for outreach to APA, NASW, grad programs
• Community & Support:
• – Peer support/supervision groups (virtual and local)
• – Mentoring programs for trainees and new practitioners
• – Public membership directory and resource hub
• Research & Innovation:
• – Establish internal IRB for Gestalt researchers not affiliated with academic institutions
• – Support development of standardized assessments for training outcomes

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Organizational Structure

• Shared Leadership:
• – Preference for a leadership team model (vs. sole president)
• – Suggested structure: 3-person executive team, committee leads, rotating roles
• – Secretary and treasurer roles can be shared
• Formation Process:
• – Steering committee to guide initial development
• – Transparent feedback cycles via surveys, Google Group, and open meetings
• – Inclusive decision-making following April gathering outcomes

🧾 Membership Structure

• Tiered Membership Options:
• – Free access to Google Group and newsletter
• – Low-cost entry for trainees and nonprofit workers
• – Premium options with CEU benefits and directory listings
• – Institutional and business memberships available
• Fee Suggestions:
• – Sliding scale based on average income/session
• – Value-driven pricing to increase accessibility

🌍 Core Values & Inclusion

• Commitment to:
• – Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)
• – Open dialogue and community input
• – Anti-racist, trauma-informed, and LGBTQ+ inclusive practices
• – Kindness and respect in navigating differences

💬 Guiding Voices & Reflections

• “Let’s not let urgency circumvent relationship-building.”
• “Be LOUD. Be sane.”
• “Foster collaboration. Support Gestalt-informed education. Build community.”
• “Holding the heat doesn’t have to sacrifice kindness.”
• “Include spiritual and secular voices in our theory conversations.”

Stay updated at usgestalt.org

Follow this link to make hotel reservations:

Gestalt Practitioner’s Gathering

• You can also call the central reservation office @ 888-236-2427
• Our group rate of $189 per night is available from Friday April 4 through Monday, April 07, 2025
• The last day to book your room at this rate is Monday, March 24, 2025

Be aware that after you check in at the hotel you must stay for the length of time that you have told the hotel that you are staying. If you check out prior to full time you booked, the hotel will charge you for the remaining night.

The Westin O’Hare,  6100 North River Road, Rosemont, Illinois, USA, 60018  Tel: +1 847-698-6000 

The enthusiasm and interest for this initiative is significant.  So far, 73 individuals have expressed their interest in becoming part of the start-up organization for a United States gestalt therapy association. This response points out the need for the United States to have its own gestalt organization and distinct community.  There are many issues and situations that are unique to United States gestalt practitioners such as needing continuing education credit, third-party payer systems, and a lack of support in the academic community to name just a few.  As we prepare to come together, think about your vision for this new opportunity.

Of the 62 interested participants, 45 have confirmed their attendance at our inaugural meeting in Chicago. We are pleased to note that 23 of these attendees will be joining us in person, while 21 will participate online. This hybrid model ensures that we can include as many voices and perspectives as possible, regardless of geographical constraints.