In order to be accredited as an NVAGT and EAGT certified Gestalt therapist, the following requirements must be met:

Have at least a higher professional education (HBO) degree in the humanities.

Have completed a Gestalt training programme of 1450 hours, divided into

 

• 600 hours of Gestalt theory and methodology

• 150 hours of Gestalt supervision

• 400 hours of clinical practice

• 250 hours of learning therapy experience

• 54 hours developmental psychology and psychopathology

• 50 hours free NVAGT / EAGT hours

 

1. Theory and methodology: 600 hours.

Theory is a coherent whole concerning the different aspects of the training. The theory expresses a thought about human nature and the assumptions about developmental processes are the guiding principles for understanding the theory and methodology of therapeutic interventions.

Theory influences goals and goals are in turn the guidelines for the therapeutic approach. Theory influences research, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.

Gained experience in applying the theory influences one's own ongoing development.

Theory is both didactic and experiential and requires the coordination of an experiential trainer. Intervision groups and theoretical studies are important but are not recognised as part of the above 600 hours.

The EAGT recommends the following categories as essential to the curriculum of a Gestalt Therapy training:

 

• The history and roots of Gestalt therapy.

• The theory of Gestalt therapy

• The human organism and its environment

• The methodology of Gestalt therapy

• Diagnosis

• Different clinical applications

• Field theory and application strategies

• The Gestalt therapist in the therapeutic relationship

• Principles and ethical applications

 

 

2. Supervision: 150 hours.

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Supervision can be given in small groups or individually.

The EAGT considers a ratio of about one hour of supervision to five hours of clinical practice sufficient.

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3. Clinical professional practice: 400 hours (minimum of two years)

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Client contact hours refer to the student working as a developing Gestalt therapist with clients and not with fellow students in a supervised practice.

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4. Learning therapy: 250 hours of learning therapy experience

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Individual therapy is absolutely indispensable for work as a Gestalt therapist. During the 4 years of training a minimum of 50 hours of individual learning therapy is required. In addition, the learning therapy experiences during the training weekends count towards this.

 

5. Developmental psychology and psychopathology (NVAGT requirement)

In order to be included in the registers of the Dutch, Flemish and European professional association of Gestalt therapists (NVAGT) and (EAGT), the Gestalt therapist must meet the following requirements:

A recognised training in which knowledge has been gained in the field of Psychopathology, DSM IV and Developmental Psychology. In the new set-up of the NSG training 54 hours of developmental psychology and psychopathology are integrated, but it is still unclear whether this is sufficient for NVAGT accreditation. The requirements for reimbursement by health insurers in the Netherlands are constantly being increased. In any case, the admission requirements for the umbrella organisations RBCZ and NAP are stricter than those for the NVAGT. In any case, this requires an education in Psycho Social Basic Knowledge and a more extensive training in psychopathology and DSMV.

Apart from some universities, which offer these additional courses as part of the psychology study (VU, Amsterdam and RUL, Leiden), these courses can also be followed at the RINO and the STIPO.

Before registering for an additional course, it is advisable to check with the NVAGT secretariat (Ingrid Jansen) whether the course meets the requirements set.

Apart from the fact that the courses mentioned are a requirement for recognition as a Gestalt therapist, they can also be a valuable support for the learning process of the student in training.

For this reason it is advisable for the student to consider starting these courses at the time of the training.

 

6. NVAGT/EAGT hours.

Extra activities are activities and continuing education courses recognised by the NSG/NVAGT in which the student has participated, such as workshops, conferences, etc. An overview of extra activities recognised by the NSG are:

• Group representative; 5 hours per year

• Student consultation; 3 hours per meeting

• Setting up and preparing additional training courses; (depending on number of hours)

• Participation in information evening (depending on number of hours)

• Participation in information evening (depending on number of hours).

• Participation in introduction day (depending on number of hours).

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General: 100% attendance is required during training weekends. Missed hours, parts of the day or days must be compensated. A maximum of 5 missed parts of a day can be compensated without consultation by refresher courses or conferences that are NVAGT and EAGT accredited.

 

You will first make an appointment with your mentor as to how any further compensation can be made up. If necessary, the help of the coordinator of the NSG can be requested.

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In order to be entitled to the NSG diploma, you must have

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    1. Signed checklists for modules 1 to 4

    2. A satisfactory assessment of the practical work (module 2), the case study (module 3) and the written theoretical final project (module 4)

    3. a minimum of 25 free NVAGT hours

    4. a minimum of 100 hours of supervision

    5. a minimum of 25 individual client contact hours

 

To be entitled to the NSG Accreditation diploma, which meets all the requirements of the NVAGT and EAGT, the following requirements must be met:

 

  1. A Gestalt Therapy Training Diploma or comparable, issued by a European training institute (EAPTI)

    2. 250 hours of learning therapy experience, including 50 hours of individual learning therapy

    3. 150 hours of supervision

    4. 50 hours of free NVAGT activities (refresher courses, conferences)

    5. 400 practical hours, of which at least 40 hours of individual client work

    6. 54 hours of developmental psychology and psychopathology

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    7. A preparatory education in human sciences (according to the 'Decision tree') or any diploma at HBO level or higher in combination with a CPION-accredited course in Psycho-Social Basic Knowledge (PSBK)

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For detailed information on the Study program, Examination procedure, Entry requirements, you can download the FULL STUDY GUIDE here