Gestalt therapeutic training for men – about being yourself in the richness of diversity
Five days in a group of other men, working on topics we bring in ourselves – our problems, difficulties, questions, pitfalls and rigidities. Working in a group consisting exclusively of men, looking at male introjects such as: “you should handle yourself,” “don’t show emotions,” “be efficient and effective,” “be strong,” “don’t be a faggot,” or simply: “be a man!” – whatever that would actually mean.
The meeting will also be an opportunity to explore the differences between us – in our styles of being, language, ways of experimenting, and giving and receiving support.
During these five days we will discover how to be ourselves in all our diversity, without the burden of male introjects. How to constantly get to know yourself and become the kind of gestalt therapist (therapist, counselor, coach, trainer) that you really are.
We will work with gestalt theory – contact, mindfulness, field theory and its other elements – and explore ways to make it a living, personal practice. Through experimentation, working on individual and group themes, play and deep reflection, movement and stopping, conversation and moments of silence.
Working in a men’s group gives you the opportunity to see if – and to what extent – working with men is different from other therapeutic experiences, and to discover something about yourself as a male therapist. What holds you back and what can support you? How do you benefit from the solidarity and support of other men – including in the world of psychotherapy?
All this is done in order to get to know ourselves better, and thus create more space and ground to work with our clients: men, women, transgender and non-binary people, people of different skin color, background, religion or worldview.
It is extremely important for a therapist to be able to work with people from different worlds – of different gender, ethnicity or social class. The question is: is our methodology really as inclusive as we assume? What makes therapy and the therapy profession sometimes more attractive to women than to men today? Is it due to one-sided representation, social biases, or perhaps also due to our methodology, attitude or theory?
These are just some of the questions we will look at together – not so much through theoretical discussions, but primarily through experience.
Therapeutic training for men – about the leaders:
Certified Gestalt psychotherapist (EAP, EAGT), working mainly with men for many years – both in individual therapy and in group formula. Organizer of men’s “therapeutic walks”. Optimist.
EAGT therapist, supervisor, coach. He is a trainer of the Dutch Gestalt Institute (NSG). He is also a GPO trainer. Focuses on working with exclusion and diversity.