Develop a specialization in child and adolescent psychotherapy Have you been working with children and adolescents and wanted to deepen your work with them? This workshop is designed to build theoretical understanding and clinical skills from the perspective of contemporary Gestalt psychotherapy. Recent research in the neurosciences, attachment theory and relational psychotherapy continue to confirm and advance the Gestalt approach.
About the workshop Experiential and interactive, the workshop aims to integrate theory with practice through the modalities of creative arts. The emphasis will be on individual psychotherapy and the application of Gestalt therapy principles represented in the works of Violet Oaklander, Ph.D., author of Windows to Our Children: A Gestalt Approach to Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy (1989) and Hidden Treasure: A Map to the Child’s Inner Self (2007).
The workshop will examine closely factors that bring about change and growth for a child or adolescent through the therapeutic process of Gestalt Therapy and the processes of integration. Utilizing the modalities of play therapy and the integration of contemporary neurobiology and Gestalt Therapy, participants will develop in-depth understanding of the Oaklander Approach. Working in pairs or small groups, participants will have opportunities for group consultation and practice.
Workshop Objectives
At the end of the workshop, participants will learn:
Overview of the therapeutic process developed by Violet Oaklander.
Overview of key neuroscience findings that supports Gestalt principles
Gestalt relational perspective on child development and the nature of the self
Gestalt play therapy process of working with projections through creative arts
Who can benefit Practitioners working with children and adolescents in the field of mental health and helping professions (such as social work, counselling, psychology) and related fields (such childcare/student care setting, physical therapy, art therapy, or other related fields).
About the Trainer Lee Sock Kuan spent years working with children, adolescents and their families. Besides counselling and psychology, she received specialized training in Gestalt Play Therapy, Gestalt Therapy, Play Therapy, Sandplay Therapy, art facilitation and Emotional-Focused Therapy.
As the first certified Gestalt Therapist with Children and Adolescents (West Coast Institute) in the SE Asia region, Sock Kuan is excited to further her work with children and their families on coping with stress, attachment, challenging behaviours and loss issues in the Gestalt approach.
Sock Kuan also supervises and trains therapists, psychologists and social workers. She is a registered Clinical Member and Clinical Supervisor of the Singapore Association for Counselling. Besides being certified with West Coast Institute, she is also a Certified Practitioner in Therapeutic Play Skills with Play Therapy International.
