Becoming a Psychedelically-Informed Gestalt Therapist: A Two-Part Workshop for Gestalt Therapists

(IN-PERSON ONLY)

Daniel Tisman, LCSW

Ken Meyer, Ph.D.

Annalisa Birdsall, LMFT

Two Days:

Saturday, November 8, 2025

Sunday, December 14, 2025

11 am – 4 pm (ET)

(with one-hour lunch break)

8 CE hours

$250

Gestalt therapy, with its emphasis on present-moment awareness, relational depth, and integration of mind/body/spirit, is uniquely positioned to support the psychedelic experience of our clients, who are increasingly finding venues for these experiences, both unsupervised and in supported, therapeutic and ritual settings. However, for us to help them make the best use of these experiences, the nuances of working with non-ordinary states of consciousness require our own preparation, specialized knowledge, and skill.

This two-part workshop is designed specifically for trained Gestalt therapists who wish to deepen their understanding of psychedelic-assisted therapy from a Gestalt perspective. We will explore:

The intersection of Gestalt therapy and psychedelic work, including theoretical and ethical considerations
The role of the therapist in preparing for and integrating psychedelic experiences
The importance of set and setting for a valuable and safe experience
Safety, mitigating harm, and who is not suitable for psychedelic-assisted therapy
Practical applications, case discussions, and experiential role-play to embody a psychedelically-informed Gestalt approach

As the "psychedelic renaissance" continues to unfold, Gestalt therapists have an opportunity to contribute meaningfully— but without proper training and appropriate preparation, there is a risk of integrating psychedelics into therapy in ways that are misattuned, unsafe, or disconnected from the best practices being developed.

Join us in this workshop series to ensure your practice is aligned with both the experiential knowledge base of Gestalt therapy and the evolving field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Module 1: Psychedelics Through a Gestalt Lens

The intertwined history of Gestalt therapy and LSD
The Gestalt therapy principles used at Johns Hopkins’ psychedelic research
Set, setting, and science: how psychedelic-assisted therapy is different
Methods and molecules: the various psychedelic substances
The role of the therapist in preparation (or dissuasion)
Safety, ethics, and best practices

Module 2: Integrating Gestalt Practice into Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Neuroplasticity, Gestalt dreamwork, and post-experience integration
Working with trauma
The role of spirituality
Working with challenging experiences
Next steps: the hopes and challenges ahead

Objectives:

Apply Gestalt therapy concepts, methods, and attitudes to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Understand the scientific, medical, and philosophical foundations of psychedelic therapy.
Address the legal and ethical challenges to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Understand and incorporate the existential and spiritual aspects of psychedelics.
Prevent and mitigate the adverse effects of psychedelics.
Prepare patients who are planning for psychedelic therapy or retreats.
Working with past trauma and challenging experiences.

Refund Policy: 75% refund if cancelled more than 7 days in advance. 50% if cancelled less than 7 days in advance.

Cancellation Policy: Occasionally, the Gestalt Center needs to cancel a workshop due to unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, we will inform you the Monday prior and provide you with a full refund.