Presented to GANZ Annual General Meeting (AGM), 14th November 2021
Reflecting on the past year is a sobering process of acknowledging the challenges the COVID-19 pandemic has placed on our opportunities to connect with each other and be together. In a time of constantly shifting ground, we’ve faced much uncertainty and change. Despite this, we have found ways to share and connect, and it is my hope that as we move into 2022, professional development opportunities will expand and increase as we re-gather together as a community.
The GANZ council has continued to offer a discount on registration fees for GANZ members attending PD run or organised by Gestalt Institutes or practitioners who are also GANZ members. Uptake has been low, but understandable given the context of the year.
We were provided exciting and generous training opportunities this year by Rafael Cortina, who ran several group supervision sessions for GANZ members on trauma and addiction. Interest in attending these groups was very high and Rafael is continuing to work with us to provide further training opportunities.
We have also connected with a range of local and international practitioners and researchers in relation to expanding opportunities for student professional development, and training in the areas of embodiment and addictions.
We have given thinking to the possibility of a GANZ Conference in 2022 and have held discussions with previous conference committee members, faculty staff, and community members to support our planning. The general sense is that people want to come together – however, the format in which we do this is still not certain, given the pandemic and its restrictions.
We have also begun increasing connections with a range of non-Gestalt practitioners and institutes, namely psychology-based, to collaborate and communicate around professional development opportunities.
Currently, the council have proposed to make the following changes regarding professional development:
- That non-members who enrol in GANZ PD will have 1 year GANZ membership included with their registration.
Looking forward to connecting with you,
Michelle Sier
GANZ Professional Development Chair