NZ Gestalt

Gestalt therapy was first introduced to New Zealand by Dr Walter Kempler (USA) in 1969. Between then and the early 1970’s a number of New Zealanders visited California’s Esalen Institute, returning to NZ and offering workshops and encounter groups. In 1977 a group (Don Kaperick, Peter McGeorge and Lewis Lowry) in Dunedin established Gestalt Associates and commenced the first training in Gestalt psychotherapy based on the Cleveland model. Gestalt Associates also brought a number of trainers from overseas until 1986 when they ceased their program.

This process of bringing in overseas trainers continued with the organising of this being undertaken by a Christchurch Gestalt therapist, Anne Maclean. A regular presenter, Fred Grosse along with some graduates from Gestalt Associates and others around the country organised and facilitated workshops. There was little formal Gestalt training available in state tertiary institutions, a situation that continues today.

A number of other training organisations were established in the early to mid 1990’s. In 1991 three therapists (Rudolf Jarosewitsch, Sue Murray and Herbert Wolpert) opened the Integrative Gestalt Centre, also in Christchurch. The NZ Academy for Integrative/Gestalt Therapy was established in 1994 in Auckland by Brigitte Puls and Bernd Struder. The Academy offered training workshops, during 1994 and 1995, in cooperation with the European Academy for Psychosocial Health (EAG) and their trainers. Both had closed by 1996.

The Gestalt Institute of New Zealand also established in 1991, by Fred Grosse, Anne Maclean and Gill Caradoc-Davies. It is the only organisation from that era that is still offering a training program. The Gestalt Institute (GINZ) offers a recognised Government accredited Diploma of Gestalt Psychotherapy which is equivalent to a first university degree.

In addition to formal training offerings the NZ Gestalt community has grown a number of other initiatives that continue to strengthen Gestalt practice and community. These include a Gestalt Writer’s Group, actively supporting the Gestalt Journal of Australia and New Zealand (GJANZ), and Gestalt New Zealand which offers a regular forum and newsletter for Gestalt practitioners. A number of NZ practitioners regularly contribute articles and essays to a range of international publications and journals.

The Gestalt community in New Zealand has significantly and generously participated in the creation of GANZ. The 2002 GANZ Conference held in Christchurch and the Presidency of GANZ by Brenda Levien (2000-2004) consolidated the partnership of Gestalt practitioners in New Zealand and Australia in establishing GANZ. In 2010, the year that the Gestalt Institute of New Zealand (GINZ) celebrates its 20th birthday, the GANZ Conference returned to NZ in Queenstown.