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Course Summary
This engaging conversational course provides an overview of Gestalt therapy, exploring its historical context, key theoretical distinctions, foundational principles, and clinical concepts. This course provides clinicians with the following:
an exploration of the history and context from which Gestalt theory emerged and how it differs from other approaches
an understanding of foundational principles and defining clinical characteristics of Gestalt as the “third force” in psychotherapy
an understanding of key clinical concepts such as I-It / I-Thou, contact, awareness, paradoxical theory of change, and creative adjustment
an understanding of field theory, the concept of phenomenology, the paradoxical theory of change, and their clinical implications.
“This course was fantastic. As a licensed clinician, I do not look forward to the bi-annual law and ethics reviews, but this one was entertaining, informative, and led me to make some significant improvements in informed consent, documentation, risk assessment, and preventative license protection.”
Rachel Warren 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
“I have been licensed since 1996. This is the BEST most USEFUL and practical Law and Ethics class I have ever taken. Thank you!”
Christina Nicoloro 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"I absolutely love TDC. I used them for studying for licensure years ago and now used them for continuing education.The presentations are super engaging, clear and highlight dangers in our practices. I am grateful to have access to TDC and the wonderful providers!!”
Erica Smith Jimenez 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"Wonderful - I appreciated the real life examples, combination of audio and written materials, prompts to reflect on the cases beforehand, and summaries of takeaway points.”
Kristen Runge 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"I took my LCSW studying with you and nailed it first time. I recommend you to everyone. I didn't know you had a course for renewing my license - very happy to have found you again.”
Gayle L Thompson 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"I did all of my course prep classes with TDC and continue to use them for my CE for license renewal. I love how the information is presented and I feel like I walk away with a better understanding of the topic and ability to implement the information in my work.”
Jennifer Zakarian-Bauman 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"This course was excellent. A fantastic refresher after being out of the field for a number of years. Very thorough but also kept me engaged. I appreciated having multiple therapists discussing the issues with each other in the audio as this felt like I was taking an in person workshop or course. I will definitely use TDC for future courses!”
Aimee Trotter 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"I really enjoyed this course! The discussion of the case studies felt like a podcast, which made the content more digestible. All of the instructors were very knowledgeable about legal and ethical issues that can arise during therapy treatment.”
Kyra Meyer 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"I can always count on TDC to provide up to date information for BBS/CEU requirements. The vast information will be utilized toward patients I treat as well as within my private practice.”
Marsha Yvette Johnson 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
"This was one of the more interesting law and ethics courses I have taken as it gave real life examples and consequences.”
LeAnna Carrier 2025
Law and Ethics: They Did What?! A Case Study Review of Disciplinary Actions
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Learning objectives
As a result of participating in this training, participants will be able to:
Differentiate between I-Thou and I-It concepts
Understand elements of the dialogical methodology
Understand the concept of “awareness” through the Gestalt theory lens
Understand the concept of phenomenology as it applies to clinical practice
Describe three aspects of the phenomenological method: bracketing, description, and horizontalization
Articulate the paradoxical theory of change
Describe the concept of “creative adjustment”
Course outline
Lecture 1:
Introduction
The History of Gestalt Therapy
Contact and Awareness
Lecture 2: Dialogue Centered Approach
Lecture 3: Phenomenology
Lecture 4:
Field Theory
Paradoxical Theory of Change
Instructors
Friedemann Schulz, MA, MFT
Friedemann Schulz, MA, MFT, served as faculty chair for the Pacific Gestalt Institute (PGI) until spring 2021, and is past-president of the Gestalt Institute of Los Angeles (GTILA). For many years, Friedemann taught at Antioch University Los Angeles, and has been a long-time supervisor of mental health professionals. He maintains a private practice in West Los Angeles. In addition to his clinical work, Friedemann is a senior instructor of Shintaido, a Japanese body discipline, and has led workshops in the US, Germany, and Mexico that draw from eastern philosophies and Gestalt therapy principles. His publications include "Roots and Shoots of Gestalt Therapy Field Theory: Historical and Theoretical Developments” (2013), "Dialogue and Experiment", co-authored with Gary Yontef, PhD (2016), "Gestalt Couples Therapy" (2018), and "Living in a World of Meaning" (2022, in press). Originally from Germany, Friedemann came to the United States as a young adult and now lives with his family in Santa Monica, California.
Amanda Rowan, LCSW | Founder and CEO
Amanda Rowan is an LCSW and the founder and CEO of the Therapist Development Center. Amanda graduated with honors from Dartmouth College, where she majored in Neuroscience. She earned her Masters in Social Welfare at UCLA. Since founding the Therapist Development Center in 2008, Amanda has prepared more than 100,000 therapists nationwide to pass their state licensing exams. She is a certified Gestalt Therapist who has worked with a wide variety of clients in a range of settings over the past 20 years. She is a highly effective instructor who has a passion for collaborating with seasoned therapists who understand what works because they do it every day.
Who should take this course
This course is appropriate for mental health clinicians at all levels of experience to better understand the legal and ethical issues that can lead to disciplinary actions and identify concrete steps they can take to protect their psychotherapy practices.
If you are an AMFT, MFT, ASW, or LCSW in California, the Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) accepts continuing education credits given through ASWB ACE-approved courses.
Once registered, the course will appear in the participant’s Study Center, where participants can download the handouts and listen to recorded audio lectures.
Certificate of Completion
Participants will be able to print their certificate of completion immediately after receiving a score of 80% or higher on the posttest and completing the course evaluation.
Cancellation Policy
If you contact us prior to completing the posttest, you will receive a tuition fee refund minus a $10 cancellation fee.
Grievance Policy
Your satisfaction is our goal. To view our grievance policy, click here.
Therapist Development Center, provider 1449, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 5/30/24-5/30/27. Social workers completing this course will receive 9 clinical continuing education credits.
Therapist Development Center is recognized by the New York State Education Department's (NYSED) State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers SW-0857.
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