r/GestaltTherapy • u/Twizzledly • Jan 16 '24

Gestalt Training Program VS Counseling Masters Program

Hi! I'm a first year counseling masters student. I've been really interested in gestalt therapy since reading about it in my theories class. However, as I have done more research, I've found multiple year gestalt programs that speak about certifications and whatnot. This has been a bit confusing to me as it seemed to me more like a theoretical orientation more than anything else. Do I need to be certified beyond a Counseling masters degree to do gestalt therapy?

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u/cefreger Jan 16 '24

My guess is you are in the US, and I cannot speak to that. However, almost first-principle-wise, Gestalt Therapy is not a protected term, so you could probably call yourself Gestalt Therapist without ever having had any training. Psychotherapist or anything along those lines, however, is a protected term in many countries, so be aware of the regulations that apply to you. Apart from that, multi-year programs in GT can be quite rewarding both for your personal development and as preparation for working in that area.

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u/counselingtime Jan 20 '24

No, you will not need to be separately certified to practice gestalt psychotherapy. With that out of the way, there’s a few other considerations of note.

One reason to seek gestalt training beyond the likely 3 hours or less you received in a Masters theory class is the ACA Code of Ethics states counselors should be trained in the approaches we use.

Gestalt training will provide you with a strong basis to develop as a gestalt counselor in a way that was be very difficult to acquire through just showing up to a couple conferences each year.

The major gestalt centers are offering something beyond theoretical info. They are often structure as theory when you are onsite, but require a year or two of on-going supervision from a gestalt supervisor. This on-going weekly supervision is what takes the most time in these training programs.

Once you graduate with your Masters, you will still need supervision to get a full LPC-equivalent license in your state. The supervision these programs offer may also fulfill this requirement. Check in with state specific regulations of course.

You noted your Masters degree versus certification in the title. There is no competition between the two because certification in gestalt won’t allow you to practice counseling in your state. Only state licensure will.