Volume I in the Esalen Evolution of Gestalt Series, Co-Creating the Field lays out a paradigm shift that re-grounds in our human story in evolutionary psychology and contemporary neuroscience, viewed through the lens of relational Gestalt theory. The clarifications of theory and method brought out in the chapters of the book provide the base for a stimulating creative conversation which continues in the field, on the basis of these ideas and others stimulated by them. Contributors to the volume include Gordon Wheeler, Lynne Jacobs, Frank-M. Staemmler, Margherita Spagnuolo-Lobb, Catherine Carlson, Robert Kolodny, Iris Fodor, Deborah Ullman, Judith Hemming, and Malcolm Parlett. In the words of Gestalt clinician, teacher, and author Archie Roberts, “This dazzling anthology sets the direction and the agenda for Gestalt therapy in the 21st Century… It crackles with an urgency appropriate to the times while clearly articulating the cutting edge in Gestalt theory.” 2009/ ISBN 978-0-415-87259-1/ pp. 354
Deborah Ullman, MA, a coach, somatics-based therapist, and Gestalt trainer works in Orleans on Cape Cod, MA, working with adults and teens focusing on consciousness and healing, relational therapy, shame and belonging, and nature-based visionary learning. Deborah is coeditor of CoCreating the Field and Co-director and Editor of the GestaltPress logo, distributed internationally by Routledge, Taylor & Francis. She travels and leads workshops widely, loves music and supports transformational societal change every chance she gets. She co-chairs the CTR Psychology Council conference series “Evolution of Gestalt” at Esalen Institute.
Gordon Wheeler, Ph.D., is internationally known for his teaching, training, and writing in Gestalt therapy, coaching, and education. His written work, including a dozen books and over 100 articles in the field, has emphasized the evolution of Gestalt theory as the basis for relational and developmental self theory, integrating the body of Gestalt psychology research with the Gestalt therapy tradition. In his writings Gordon has focused particularly on relational development, self and shame, couples and intimacy, multi-cultural issues, gender and men’s issues, leadership and coaching, and lifelong integral education, as well as post-Holocaust issues and most recently Gestalt Systems Constellations. Since 2002 he has served as President of Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, where he also served for some years as CEO. Gordon and his wife Nancy Lunney-Wheeler have a large and growing blended family and make their homes at Esalen and in Santa Cruz, California.
