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The interest groups are an essential part of the fertile ground of AAGT, which is deeply committed to the principles of inclusiveness and dialogue as it helps its members grow. To this end they've been set up as vehicles through which individuals can share their ideas, talents, and concerns about Gestalt therapy. Two new groups have recently formed, one on Gestalt Therapy and Dreamwork and the other on Internet Involvement and Utilization. These two groups, from inner space to the world wide web, reflect the range of interests among the members of AAGT.

Committee on the Philosophy and Purpose and Structure of AAGT

This interest group serves to investigate  AAGT's formation and development, attending to the shaping of our community, with a lively desire to base the means of our associating on pricniples  consistent iwth Gestalt theory. It looks at how AAGT built the community  so far and at ways to associate with other communities that draw on Gestalt. In its ongoing process this group will see that the philosophical ground is firmly and solidly set in the organization's undertakings.

Committee on Gestalt Therapy and Somatics
Susan Gregory, Co-Chair, sgregory@Gestaltsing.com

Gina Fitzmartin, Co-Chair, cfitz@icubed.com

Body-based work is integral to our theory but not always addressed in Gestalt therapy training programs. With so many somatic modalities now available and being used by Gestalt therapists,  it is imprtant to develop a picture of how we integrate these techniques in our work. This interest group exists to provide support and contact,  help identify clinical issues particular to this work, articulate Gestalt somatic theory and advocate for its importance in the larger Gestalt community. By pooling our efforts and experiences we can help Gestalt work evolve  in this area. This group continues an inofrmal investigation of the ways in which Gestalt therapists are assimilating somatic modalities into their  practices.

Dreamwork and Gestalt Therapy
Susan Jurkowski, chair, 2 Flower Hill Place, 2nd floor, Port Washington, NY 11050 (212) 472-0145.

This interest group is open to anyone who has special interest in and experience with dreams and dreamwork. Let's  explore how dreams can be useful in single dream consult, dream groups  or workshops, and in enhancing and illuminating an ongoing therapy process. We will also share our ideas and experiences in working with dreams from  a Gestalt perspective and from other theoretical perspectives that may  be relevant to Gestalt theory and therapy.

Ecological Dimensions of Gestalt Therapy
Vacancy Chair

Our group began at the 1994 Toronto Conference. Our goal has been to facilitate informal communication among members about ways each of us is articulating the ecological dimensions of Gestalt therapy, both in our theorizing as well as in therapy, workshops, and with other clients. In January 1996 we sent out a request for a description  of relevant activities and interests in order to devleop a member's directory. We're encouraging members to submit articles to the Gestalt Journal in response to the Spring 1996 issue, which presented the theme of ecopsychology.

Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual Issues and Gestalt Therapy Special Interest Group
Allan Singer, co-chair, 264 Beacon Street, 4th floor, Boston, MA 021176 (617) 266-9456.

Joyce Vinson, co-chair, crose1@compuserve.com

This interest group provides a froum for an individual to (1) develop awareness, understanding, and sensitivity within AAGT membership and among the broader Gestalt commuity to gay, lesbain,  and bisexual concerns, (2) increase clinical competience in working with  people across the span of sexual orientation, with particular interest  in the application of Gestalt therapy theory and practice with gay, lesbian, and bisexual populations, and (3) consider how issues of interest to the gay, lesbian, and bisexual community may be included in AAGT programming, as well asto actively represent these ideas and seek inclusion through participation in the AAGT organizational structure.

Gestalt Applications to Diverse and Special Populations Committee
Carl Hodges, chair. 937 President St., IA, Brooklyn, NY 11215, (718) 622-0355 CWHVOSGE@aol.com

The aim of this group is to work on the issue of diversity and special populations. The word "diversity" leaves out the power issue and labeling. It is a powerful thing to label someone else as different and give him/her a pre-configured social identity; or for an individual to take on a pre-configured social identity in compliance,  or defiance. When working with certain populations considered "diverse"  or "special," the therapist must be concerned with what is the implied as "norm," or "regular." The social, political,  and cultural norms become inextricably parts of the social self and person gestalten in each individual client down to the level of language and bodyspace.  They effect personality (self-image), the style of contacting, the course  of therapy, the illusion of authority, and the necessity of agression.

Gestalt Community Development, Networking, and Support Committee
Vacancy Chair

• The aim of this group is to come back again and again in the experiencing of our theory in our present contacting.  In the on-going process this group wants to be very careful in setting philosophical ground firmly and solidly. It wants to build enough safety intot the structure to keep the design in shape. It wants to maintain the  value of honoring so many people's input, to include everyone in our process, to hear diverse views, and to follow a design that holds to consensus.
  
  These are the new members of the GCDNS committee. They look forward to hearing from any other AAGT members interested in corresponding with them. The new members from outside the USA are especially  eager to know how they can participate given their geographical distance  from others. If you have any suggestions, please write to them:
• Mr. John Harris, 10 Devon Dr., Diggle Oldham 0636pp, U.K. phone 01457870476
• Mr. Michael Carson, 110 State St. Bay St. Louis, MO 39520, USA
• Mr. Frank Guarnaccia, 783, S. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA, 19147, USA, phone: H (215) 922-6565; W (215) 545-8296
• Ms. Joanna Holland, Rock Castle, Kilmacsmon, Bandon, Co. Cork, Ireland Phone 353-21-775324.
• Ms. Dee Martin, 4701 Robinhood, Dr., New Orleand, LA 70128, phone H  (504) 244-3107, W (504) 589-5923.
• Ms. Brenda Perrem, 3 Sydenham Terrace, Monkstwon, Co. Cork, Ireland, phone 353-21-842087.
  
  

Gestalt Theory Development and Philosophy Committee
Peter Phllipson, chair Peter@mgc.org.uk

The Theory Development committee of the AAGT is devoted to the exploration of the numerous issues in the theory of Gestalt therapy, and to the further development and extensioin of that theory. Some members have participated with each other in theoretical  dialogues, while others have preferred to participate by observing these  dialogues.

Gestalt Therapy and Social Change Committee
Vacancy

The focus of this group is on the theme of personal support in the field of social change. This group is comprised of people from diverse communities who are sharing some of their personal experiences and activities in social change. Ther are folks involved in alternative schools, teaching singing, community work with older people,  group treatment with men who abuse/assault women, and many other activities, especiallywith voluntary and non-government groups and organizations.  There is something about Gestalt therapy and the experimental relationship  between the organism (individual, social group, class, etc.) and the environment that speaks fundamentally to a process of social change.

Gestalt Therapy and Spirituality
Gail Feinstein, Co-Chair, ursaluna@aol.com

M'lou Caring, Co-Chair, Mlouc@aol.com

Gestalt Therapy In Academia and Higher Education Committee
Iris Fodor, co-chair, 110 Bleecker St., New York, NY 10012, (212) 982-0177, email fodor@is.NYU.EDU;

Paul Schoenberg, co-chair, 134 Hillcrest St., Ravenna, OH 44266 (216) 296-8313, Fax (216) 296-4494. Schoetyme@aol.com

The Academic and Higher Education interest group is a gestalt network for students and faculty in colleges and universities. Our goal is to build a foundation for Gestalt teaching and learning within academic settings. One project underway is a directory of Gestalt faculty and courses and programs at colleges and another is building a network of students. The Research Interest Group has been reformed as a committee of this interest group, and we're seeking  a chair, or co-chair, to help lead it. Iris will be stepping down as co-chair at the end of June, and we welcome nominations for her position as well.

Gestalt Therapy With Children Committee
Vacancy Chair

The group is for those who are interested  in using Gestalt concepts and methods with children. This is an opportunity to bring solidariity to all the efforts that are being made by Gesalt community  members on behalf of children. It is a networking system for those who  work with children to help establish, nationlaly and internationally, Gestalt therapy as a serious theoretical approach in child treatment.

Gestalt Institutes Training and Development

Anne Teachworth, Louisiana

This interest group provides opportunities for the AAGT members to exchange ideas about the various ways in which  training programs are organized and what teaching approaches are used. The underlying question is what relation these models and approaches may have to the theory and practice of Gestalt therapy. The group is also interested in laying the goundwork for inter - institute communication and cooperation, and for having regional training conferences.

Gestalt Training Materials Development
Bud Feder, chair, 51A Upper Montclair Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07043 (201) 746-6815, Fax (201) 746-2331.

The Training Materials Development Interest Group is a forum for the distribution of Gestalt training materials.  After surveying Gestalt training institutes for relevant information, the group members are involved with developing a directory of training resources  (videotapes, audiotapes, typescripts, training syllabi) which will be made  avialable to the broader Gestalt community.

Integrative Psychotherapies
Irv Gadol, chair. 12800 Hillcrest Road, Dallas, TX 75230, (214) 661-5296, fax (214) 661-0147. irwingad@airmail.net

This group is devoted to discussing and examining key concepts in other theories with the aim of potentially integrating them into Gestalt psychotherapy practice and theory. It has been a traditioin in Gestalt to integrate parts of other theories to creat a more effective whole, according to Perls. It's still a viable approach that might stimulate all of us as we contribute to the ongoing discussion.

Internet Involvement and Utilization
Philip Brownell (chair) 4610 NE Mason, Portland, OR 97218 (503) 335-3867, email brownell@europa.com.

• The Internet is a powerful tool. It's an amazing, global connection of individuals from diverse fields of interest, culture, and nationality. People in this interest group work on ways of investigating and appropriating the resources of the Internet  to enhance AAGT and to facilitate training and practice, to build community, to satisfy our curiosity about the world in which we live, and to utilize this medium to influence in behalf of Gestalt therapy theory and practice.

Men's Issues in Gestalt Therapy
Gordon Wheeler GICPress@aol.com
 

Professional Training, Certification, and Practice Committee
Vacancy Chair

Professional training is the overriding interest of this group. We are currently receiving and tabulating responses to our Training Questionnaire. If you would like to receive a copy, please contact Rick Carson at the above address. We're currently looking for someone  who'd like to help as co-chair.

Watchdog and Braking Committee
Cynthia Cook, chair. 80 East 11th St. #516, New York, NY 10003, (212), 477-3225. cynthea3@aol.com

This interest group is committed to having AAGT honor the input of all people by including them in its process and hearing diverse views. Through respect for differences and taking time  to stay with conflict, this group encourages members to experience again and again Gestalt theory in present contacting. It aims to follow a design that holds to consensus.

Women's Issues in Gestalt Therapy
Alice Gerstman, Chair, AliG37@aol.com
 

This group is interested in the ways in which feminism and Gestalt therapy can enhance one another. The focus of this group is on the interface of Gestalt therapy and feminism. The principle theme is the response of women to the conflicts around them. Instead of only interpreting our experience through the lense of Gestalt therapy theory, it looks at our theory and practice through the lense of the lives of women. It also serves as a voice for the concerns of women in the organization of AAGT.