Interagency Group / CAWT

InterAgency Group (Sexual Abuse)

GESTALT WORKSHOP Evaluation Report

Creative Cross Border Projects

InterAgency Group with North West Counselling Service

John Bennett InterAgency Group 104 Irvinestown Road, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh. BT74 6DN Tel: 6632 0046 E-mail: [email protected] BACKGROUND

The InterAgency Group is a group of statutory and voluntary sector agencies who provide services and care to adult survivors of sexual abuse within the

Western Health & Social Services Board (WHSSB) area. The Group has been together formally since 1997 working together with a view to providing improved services for adult survivors.

Since its beginning in 1997 the group has continued to respond to the needs of adult survivors through the enhancement of services and the professional development of staff who work therapeutically with them.

Recent years have also seen a development in similar services in the Republic of Ireland. For the purposes of this initiative, the IAG worked in co-operation with the North West Regional Counselling Service of the North West Health Board.

NATURE OF INITIATIVE

The successful submission to CAWT Creative Cross Border Projects provided an opportunity to deliver training for a limited number of practitioners and professionals from both sides of the border and from the Voluntary and

Statutory Sectors interested in improving practice through their own professional development and in particular through the use of Gestalt techniques.

After consideration of submissions from a number of recognised experts, The

Dublin Gestalt Centre was invited to facilitate a two-day workshop to provide a group of experienced counsellors/therapists with some knowledge and practice of Gestalt Techniques to benefit their practice. EVALUATION

Evaluation of the project consisted of:

 Completion of evaluation questionnaires by each of the participants

 Individual interviews with five (38%) of the participants

SUMMARY

Thirteen people participated in the training workshop. The training was delivered by two experienced Gestalt Therapists/Trainers from the Dublin Gestalt Centre. The trainers each had approximately fifteen years experience as therapists and ten years as supervisors and trainers.

In general the training was very well received. There was broad agreement with regard to the suitability of the venue for the purpose, the make up of the group and the general organisation of the programme. The experience, expertise and skilfulness of the trainers was widely commented on and believed to have been a significant element to the success of the two days.

The experiential nature of the workshop proved challenging and ‘scary’, however it was the experiential nature of the programme that opened up the opportunities for much of the learning and brought the Gestalt techniques to life.

In addition to the opportunity to develop new skills for the therapeutic relationship, the participants commented on the value of ‘meeting-up’ with other professionals from different sectors and different geographical regions. Particularly with regard to the development of services in the Republic of Ireland for adult survivors of sexual abuse, participants found it valuable to gain some first hand information of the systems in place there. Finally, a constant theme addressed by participants was the agreement that there was much more to learn and the time limit of two days restricted the amount of learning possible. This resulted in many requests for further training.

FINANCIAL SUMMARY

Experts’ Time and Preparation (Dublin Gestalt Centre) €2,200.00 Trainer’s Accommodation / hospitality Hire of Venue € 1,224.28

All costs associated with developing the programme, selection of the trainers, management of the workshop and administration were incurred by the InterAgency Group.

CONCLUUSION

Among the participants there was a general consensus on the value of the workshop, both in terms of the skills/theory development and also in terms of the value of meeting and engaging with other professionals from outside of their own workplace and geographical area who are involved in the same type of work.

The trainers and participants were equally agreed on the value that would result from a further training in Gestalt techniques for their therapeutic practice.

WORKSHOP AIMS

A. Participants will be introduced to some principles of Gestalt Therapy, in particular to those relevant to working with the therapeutic relationship B. Participants will learn about Gestalt methods through experiential small group processes C. Participants will begin to develop ways of utilising Gestalt methods in their own area of work

1. Please tick how you feel your knowledge in terms of the aims have been met

PARTIALLY NO AIM FULLY MET NOT MET MET REPLY A 7 3 1 2 B 8 2 0 3 C 6 4 0 3

2. If ‘Not Met’, please comment

 Emphasis on experiential learning was ok. It surprised people and some expected more dealing with the core principles of Gestalt  Two days were not enough. Could another / follow up workshop be arranged for same group?  I would have liked to discuss different – ‘creative’ methods more and to have experienced these in group  The Gestalt approach is very interesting and complex. Further training would be of great benefit.  I loved the gentle, genuine facilitating of the course……please organise some more or follow up. The learning has been invaluable and I know my learning or growth is endless. Much appreciation for organising this alternative way of working and practising ……it’s very liberating and refreshing 3. Please comment on the style of training

 The pace was slow but appropriate to the learning ….the trainers were patient, respectful and harnessed the group process. The style suited me just fine  The group facilitators were very experienced and provided a safe environment for the group members to explore and learn the principles involved in Gestalt Therapy  I enjoyed learning by doing – as awareness of different parts of myself and perspective of the therapist/client  Not focused. Given time and space - a lot  New, different, very experiential and skilful. Felt it was just a beginning – not long enough  Excellent style of training  Experiential training is always scary but extremely powerful tool. Though at times it was uncomfortable it was excellent  Excellent trainers who ‘gently encouraged’ individuals to participate. Slow easy pace  Totally experiential. A very good way of seeing at first hand Gestalt at work  The training was experiential and this added to my ability to learn and reflect on the skills in practice. The modelling of the facilitators

4. Please comment on what you feel you have learned from the workshop

 An awareness of myself as a therapist  A little about the Gestalt approach which impressed me enough to want to learn more  How much of the therapist comes into the therapy.  Value of slowing down. Importance of self-awareness.  Honesty of the approach  More confident in the approach – staying with the feelings (the background/foreground) for a client in moving (forward/backward) change  Awareness of my self and the client  Recognition that it is alright to feel inadequate and also ok for the client to see this. The pace at which Gestalt methods can be used. Would like more training in this approach, particularly with regard to the Gestalt Creative intervention  I’m learning further about Gestalt process and the importance of experiencing feelings in the moment as they are  It was really not enough time and I believe that two more days are crucial  Helped to become more aware of the stress the therapist lives with and the impact on them personally  How truly staying with feelings can shift fear. That being in the moment can be powerful as well as showing our vulnerability and humanness. That just supporting the client in these ways can be powerful. I feel I have learnt so much I can’t put it all down in this space. Is it possible to have more

5. Comment on the practical arrangements

VERY NOT NO SATISIFIED SATISIFIED SATISIFIED REPLY Venue and 10 1 0 2 Facilities Mix of participants 10 1 0 2 General 10 1 0 2 organisation

6. Make up of the participants

Statutory Sector Total = 6 Western Health and Voluntary North Western PARTICIPANTS Social Services Sector Health Board Board Agencies 3 3 7