Course Syllabus Learning Outcomes:By participating in this program, you will gain: ●A foundational understanding of Gestalt Soul Care principles ●The ability to practice basic empathic listening skills ●An introduction to breath awareness and its applications ●Knowledge of coaching techniques and questions ●Familiarity with the 12-step framework ●Increased self-awareness and a toolbox for personal growth
Session 1: Introduction to Gestalt Soul Care ●Welcome and overview of GSC ●Introduction to core concepts: ●Gestalt theory and its core principles (awareness, contact, experiment) ●Spiritually-integrated Gestalt: Explore how faith and spirituality can inform and empower the healing and growth process ●Coaching principles: Learn how coaching questions can be used to guide self-discovery ●12-step wisdom: Introduction to the 12-step framework for personal transformation, and to educate the participant about how addiction works ●Aesthetic principles in healing: How art and creativity can be used to open the heart, mind, and spirit for healing and growth ●Short art experience and journaling ●Demonstration of GSC work with selected class members, with rest of class using an observation worksheet (followed by processing) ●Introduction to the 12 steps, part 1 (Steps 1–3) ●Homework: read about empathic listening skills and breath awareness, and be ready to discuss and implement; handouts will be provided
Session 2: Deepening Your Skills ●Q&A on Session 1 ●Short art experience and journaling ●Didactic on empathic listening skills: ●Interactive practice in pairs ●Demonstration of GSC work with class members (followed by processing) ●Introduction to the 12 steps, part 2 (Steps 4–5) ●Homework: write reflections on the applicability and effectiveness of empathic listening ●Handouts on Breath work, Awareness, and Coaching
Session 3: Breath, Awareness, and Coaching ●Review and address questions from Session 2 ●Short art experience and journaling ●Explore breath awareness: ●Discussion of its role in Gestalt therapy and self-discovery ●Dyad practices using coaching questions ●Demonstration of GSC work with class members (followed by processing) ●Introduction to the 12 steps, part 3 (Steps 6–9) ●Coaching approaches: ●Utilizing coaching questions ●Identifying "head stuff" in clients ●Homework: Experiment with observing breath and body awareness and using coaching questions with others and observe the impact; write about your experiences
Session 4: A Unified Whole — Review and Integration ●Comprehensive review of the program ●Short art experience and journaling ●Introduction to the 12 steps, part 4 (Steps 10-12) ●Demonstration of GSC work with class members (followed by processing) ●Q&A session: ●Discuss how to integrate GSC into your work and life ●Develop personal descriptions of your learning ●Completion of a post-survey ●Discussion of possible next steps (full training program) ●Closing ceremony and presentation of certificates