On Thursday, 14/11/2019, at the IANOS Culture Chain in Athens, the first lecture in the series ‘Philosophy meets Psychology’ was held. The theme was ‘Friendship’. Presenting the philosophical side of the subject was the speaker Stasinos Stavrianeas, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Patras, and on the side of Psychology was the speaker Despina Balliou, psychologist, psychotherapist, trainer, Gestalt supervisor and co-founder of the Gestalt Foundation. Professor Stavrianneas presented ‘Friendship’ through the teachings of two philosophers, Aristotle and Epicurus, highlighting the differentiation in their view of the subject, and Ms Balliou presented the theme from the Gestalt perspective. As might be expected with such a popular subject, the interest among the attendees was very high and there was lively  participation in the discussion that followed, with various questions and expressions of opinion.

From the 1^st to the 3^rd of November, 2019 , the three-day Residential Workshop entitled "Please Mind the Gap" (facilitated by Despina Balliou and Exarmenia Pappa) took place at the "Eleonas" guesthouse located on a hillside surrounded by an olive grove in Rovies, Evia.

This workshop,was devoted to exploring and understanding the void, through body movement, authentic dialogue and contact with nature,  thus deepening the quality of contact, relationship and ultimately leading to a  life of vitality.

The workshop included experiential physical exercises, movement improvisation, group process and process in the natural environment, while linking GESTALT theory to the participants' experiential work in the best possible way.

Despina Balliou: M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapist, Gestalt Trainer and Supervisor, Member of EAGT, Trained in EMDR Trauma Therapy, Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy).

Exarmenia Pappa: Psychologist (MSc), MSc Mental Health Studies, PgCert Gestalt Body Process (Trained by James Kepner), Gestalt Psychotherapist and Trainer, Member of EAGT and HAGT (Hellenic Association of Gestalt Psychotherapy).

The Experimental workshop "Redefining My History: A Door to the Future" (facilitated by Yianna Yiamarelou and Despina Balliou) which took place on 18,19 and 20 October 2019 in Karapanou House, one of the most beautiful mansions on the island of Aegina, reached its completion with great success and a plethora of emotions.

Stereotypes, roles, myths, alliances, mixed messages, patterns, life attitudes, principles and values, sources of energy and support: where do they come from and how are they transmitted from generation to generation in our personal history? How do they activate us? Do they give us a sense of identity or do they bind us? How do family bonds become binding? How do the lines joining us become invisible nets that trap us?

In this workshop, family maps (genograms) unfolded and were redefined, allowing new foundations and perspectives on life to emerge.

Yianna Yamarelou: M.A. Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapist, Gestalt Trainer and Supervisor, Member of EAGT, Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy).

Despina Balliou: M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapist, Gestalt Trainer and Supervisor, Member of EAGT, Trained in EMDR Trauma Therapy, Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy).

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, from 11:00 to 14:00, an “Open Day" was held for the first time in our center to provide key information for all those who wished to know more about our training program in Gestalt psychotherapy. After a brief presentation of the Gestalt approach by Ms. Yianna Yamarelou, founding member of the Gestalt Foundation and a senior trainer at the center, Ms. Despina Balliou, also a founding member of the Gestalt Foundation, presented the training programs and highly recommended the center's vibrant potential. There followed an open discussion between all the interested parties and the trainers, associates, alumni and trainees who were present. The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, but full of enthusiasm, and intense interest was evident in everyone who attended this very successful, inaugural open day.

5^th International Summer Camp Gestalt

Forrest Village «Livadaki»

Karpenisi 3-7 of July 2019

«Alice» in «Neverland»

- «Every adventure requires a first step», as Cheshire cat says, in Alice in Wonderland.

- «So, come with me, where dreams are born, and time is never planned. Just think of happy things, and your heart will fly on wings, forever, in Neverland », says Peter Pan.

- «What if a fall?» says Wendy.

- «Oh!, but my darling, what if you fly?» says Peter Pan … «all you need is faith, trust, and a little pixie dust».

Co-ordinators

Antonia Konstantinidou, MSc Social and Clinical Psychology of (A.U.Th.), Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, member of EAGT and the National Psychotherapy Company of Greece. Holder of the ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Ex-President & Founding member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy, Founding member of Gestalt Foundation

Maria Farmaki, Psychologist, Early Childhood Educator, Β.Α. Psychologist, Gestalt Psychotherapist. Member of EAGT. Founding member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy. Ex-president of HAGT.

Katia Hatzilakou, M.Sc. Clinical & Social Psychology (A.U.Th.), Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, member of EAGT (ex-Chair of NOGT and External Relation of EAGT) and the National Psychotherapy Company of Greece. Holder of the ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Founding member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy, Founding member of Gestalt Foundation

This year, on our 5^th summer camp, we have decided to change the structure of our program. The experience of all these years of organizing the camp, the feedback, and the suggestions of our campers during the past years have helped create the following changes. We hope that they help with an even more satisfying and substantial Gestalt camp!

üThis year, instead of group process, each day’s closure will be done as a plenary session, but alternatively, the way each person sees fit. In this plenary session, chewing time, we can end our day by talking, drawing, writing, staying silent, or whatever fits each person and the moment, as long as we are all together! (The participants of the EAGT conference in Athens, remember, right?)

üWorkshops and groups can be led by graduates and trainees after their 3^rd and 4^th year of education, as well as professional of different expertise. The coordinators of those workshops will have two hours of supervision from Katia Hatzilakou every day. In this way the trainees will be able to confirm hours of clinical practice and supervision. Those who are interested of leading a workshop at the camp, please contact the secretariat.

üThe outdoor activities («via ferrata», the “Panta Brexei” (always raining) canyon, the Sarakatsanaion meeting place, the visit to Mavrilo) will be held after communication with the secretariat. Those who are interested in participating to these outings, please inform us of your participation.

üFor the first time, there will be the choice of participating in an experiential workshop for the duration of the five days. Antonia Konstantinidou will lead the same experiential workshop for the duration of all the days, during all the hours of the workshops. The group will be open. Everyone may participate for all the days, once, or more, as they see fit.

üThe first two evening entertainments include the showing of the movies «Alice in Wonderland» and «Peter Pan », the two main sources of inspiration of this camp. As you may know, in Gestalt nothing is that simple. After the end, the movies will be followed by talks and the sharing of the things that inspired us from these two classical fairytales, much loved by all psychologists!

üAs the numbers of children are growing, and because we want to offer the best we can, we have decided that Maria Farmaki will only see to the children, and be responsible for our underage friends and for the people caring for them in the absence of their parents and their companions. Even more so, Maria has prepared a semantic framework in which both the kids and the parents / companions will be invited to join. We will see her at the plenary session and at night for beers!

For the parents accompanied by their children, from Maria Farmaki

But truly, Alice and Peter were right!!!! It was real!!!! … what they were living … they weren’t simply imagining it!!! …                                                                                                     

Children need to feel accepted from their environment. That is the only way they can learn to trust their experiences and feel safe with themselves and build their self-confidence. Fantasy and reality are possibilities of a field that changes figures, they are accepted and real in the “here and now”. 

Children are right!! Their experiences are real!!!     

In this camp, children of different ages will get to interact through organized and non organized games, through workshops and through their “free time”, that aim for the activation of their fantasy and their creativity with the main goal: the assurance of their experiences concerning their contacts and their relationships.

… and let’s not forget «trust??? I haveeeeeeeeee!!!!» as said by one of our little campers 2 summers ago …

Before the camp, but also during it, meetings will be held with the parents for a more effective and smooth procedure of the program.

Good inspiration and until we meet again!

Antonia, Katia, Maria.

Wednesday  3/7/2019
10:30 - 11:30 Plenary session, Opening, Manitou
11:30 – 14:30 Workshops
14:30-16:30 Free time
16:30-18:30 Workshops
16:30 – 18:30 Supervision for the coordinators of groups and workshops
18:30-19:30 Plenary session (chewing-time)
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Evening entertainment

Thursday 4/7/2019 - Friday 5/7/2019

8:30-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Supervision for the coordinators of groups and workshops
9:30-11:30 Workshops
12:00-14:30 Workshops
14:30-17:00 Free time
17:00-18:30 Workshops
18:30-19:30 Plenary session (chewing-time)
20:00 Dinner
21:30 Evening entertainment

Saturday 6/7/2019
8:30-9:30 Breakfast
9:30-11:30 Workshops
9:30-11:30 Supervision for the coordinators of groups and workshops
12:00-14:30 Workshops
15:00 - 17:00 Plenary session (chewing -time)
17:00 - 18:00 Plenary session- Reveal of Manitou

CHOICES OF ACCOMODATION

Small cabins

The cabins have two two-bed rooms with the option of accommodating an extra person to a smaller bed, a mini kitchen and bathroom.

Strictly on priority due to the limited number of  rooms available

Tent

The campers will have access to the facilities of the Forrest Village (outdoor WC and showers)

Cost (for the cabins residents):

5days (from  Wednesday  3/7/2019 – 7/7/2019)                370€

Included to the cost: 4 overnights, 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners and the Saturday’s festive fire ceremony dinner.

3days (from Friday  5/7/2019 – 7/7/ 2019)                                     270€

Included to the cost: 2 overnights, 2 breakfasts, a dinner and the Saturday’s festive fire ceremony dinner.

Cost (for the tents):

5days (from  Wednesday  5/7/2019 – 7/7/2019)                            290€

Included to the cost: 4 overnights, 4 breakfasts, 3 dinners and the Saturday’s festive fire ceremony dinner.

3days (from Friday  5/7/2019 – 7/7/ 2019)                                     210€

Included to the cost: 2 overnights, 2 breakfasts, a dinners and the Saturday’s festive fire ceremony dinner.

A vegetarian choice will be available. Please inform the secretariat for any nutritional or any other need before the beginning of the camp.

Not included to the cost: coffees, beverages, alcoholic beverages, snacks, but also every activity outside of the camp.

The camp is targeted towards all ages.

There will be a special program for kids of all ages.

To validate the participation, especially for the cabins residents, it is obligatory to deposit the 30% of the total amount the latest until 7 of June 2019. Due to the residential nature of the seminar and the particularity of the rooms and the surrounding area you must contact the secretariat to book your room or to reserve a tent space.

For information and bookings please contact the Secretariat, Monday – Friday 10:00 – 17:00 at the telephone +30 2310 283588 or by e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

After the official announcement of the national elections on the 7^th of July 2019 we would like to inform you that in accordance with the basic aspect of Gestalt for creative adjustment, we have decided to slightly adjust the camps’ program.

So, instead of starting Wednesday noon, we will begin Wednesday morning at 10:30 and we will finish Saturday in the afternoon at 18:00. 

There is the choice for everyone to come either Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning as well as the choice to stay at the camp on Saturday night.

For more information and to notify us for your arrival and departure, please contact the secretariat. 

On Saturday 6/4/2019, a presentation on the Gestalt psychotherapy approach took place at the Aegean College. The students at the college were addressed by Yianna Yiamarelou, MA Clinical Psychology, Gestalt psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor, founding member and senior trainer of Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy & Training Center.

The presentation included how Gestalt therapy started and developed, its basic principles, the emergence of figure and deconstruction, the contact boundary, and techniques, and the presentation concluded with issues of ethical practise.

After the presentation, there followed some experiential applications. The students’ response was immediate and clear. What emerged as the central figure was the value of dialogue in contact!

The Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy and Training Center, is moved and delighted to present the poetic collection entitled: "Square Floor" - Poetry meets Gestalt therapy.

The inspirational writer behind the collection is Dimitris Diomataris, who transformed what he experienced during a cycle of gestalt experiential workshops into words that reflect the poetic depth of gestalt therapy.

The collection, whose illustrations were edited by graphic designer Emanouela Mathioudaki, was offered as a gift to everyone who attended the very successful Gestalt Foundation’s 20-year one day anniversary Conference which took place on Sunday, the 9^th of December, in Athens. It will be available for purchase at the IANOS and POLITEIA book stores from the 20^th of December 2018.

On Thursday, the 14^th of March 2019, the cycle of lectures organised by the Gestalt Foundation in collaboration with IANOS Culture Chain, successfully came to a close with the speaker Yianna Yiamarelou*.

The subject of the presentation, an issue which is so strong and alive and which without a doubt has touched all our lives at one time or another, was:

“Guilt, a human process”. 

Ms. Yiamarelou focused on understanding this very human process, especially when and how feelings of guilt can aid growth and development in our relationship with ourselves and others, but also on when and how this function becomes a vicious circle which can entrap us and cause distress.

As expected, after the presentation came to an end, the attendees raised many specific questions, which triggered further exploration and understanding of this process in our life cycle.

*Yianna Yiamarelou, M.A. Clinical Psychology, Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor, Member of EAGT, holder of ECP, Member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy.

Founding member of the Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy and Training Centre.