Below is a list of books related to Gestalt therapy. Psychotherapy is a dynamic field and consequently research and best practices change over time. The world and the people living in this world continue to grow and evolve. It can be argued that changes in the mental health field take place even more often than other fields or industries. Continuing education ensures that clinicians remain on top of developments in our field so that we can to provide the best services possible to for our clients.

Continuing education for mental health professionals comes in many forms and covers a broad range of topics. Gestalt therapists are required to be involved in continuing education to comply with laws, remain licensed or certified, and to maintain membership in a professional association or licensing body. Overall, continuing education is considered a way for professionals to keep abreast of their field so that they remain current. Mental health professionals who do not meet their continuing education requirements may have their licenses temporarily revoked or receive other sanctions. Continuing education can include:

  • Supervision
  • Personal therapy
  • Workshops
  • Seminars
  • University courses
  • Online courses
  • Community service
  • Peer consultation
  • Research and
  • Literature (see below)

As a Gestalt therapist we commit to life-long learning. Continuing education offers a variety of professional benefits:

  • Opportunities to network with others in the field providing therapists with a wealth of knowledge they might not otherwise have and allows them to reach out to peers when they have queries;
  • Review the latest research in the field;
  • The opportunity to strengthen core professional ethics and values;
  • The ability to assist more people by for instance learning how to work with clients from different cultural backgrounds;
  • Leads to opportunities for career advancement;
  • Increases the therapists’ career satisfaction.

Continuing education supports lifelong learning ensuring that the mental health professional remains a critical thinker who is well-equipped to provide quality care for their clients.

Here is an ongoing list of Gestalt literature and some interesting video clips:

Happy Learning!