I have been psychotherapist in private practice since 1978, I am a supervisor, teacher, lecturer, editor, writer, and organization leader, as described below.
2010- Present Vice-President, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy
2008-2010 President, Association for Advancement of Gestalt Therapy
2006-2008 Vice-President, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy
2001-2005 President, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy
1997-1999 Vice-President, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy
1982-1983 Clinical Director, Identity House
Presently training privately and in affiliation with the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy (see Training and Supervision page)
2010- Present, Adjunct Faculty, The Center for Somatic Studies, New York, New York
October 2006 Weekend Training, Istituto Di Gestalt HCC, Syracuse, Italy, guest faculty
2005-Present Adjunct faculty, Gestalt Associates of New York
1992-Present Instructor, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy: regular monthly workshops in the theory and practice of gestalt therapy
1991-1992 Teacher, “A Practicum in the Theory and Practice of Gestalt Therapy,” independently offered
1989-1992 Faculty supervisor, Gestalt Therapy Institute
1987-1993 Consultant, educational curriculum development, Gay Men's Health Crisis
1986-1994 Member of faculty, Department of Education and Division of Professional Education, Gay Men's Health Crisis
1984-1986 Instructor, “An Introduction to the Theory of Gestalt Therapy,” seminar, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy
1983-1994 Training Assistant, Gay Men's Health Crisis
2010 - Present, Co-Editor, Gestalt!
2006- Present, Editor-in-Chief, Studies in Gestalt Therapy: Dialogical Bridges !
2004-Present, Member of editorial board, Gestalt Review
Licensed Clinical Social Worker, New York State License Number R-025871-1
Board Certified Diplomat in Clinical Social Work
Registered Clinical Social Worker, National Association of Social Workers Registry
Attorney admitted to practice in New York State and Federal jurisdictions
Professional Honors
Fellow, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy
Member European Association for Gestalt Therapy
Diplomate in Clinical Social Work, National Association of Social Workers
1976-2008 Training and advanced supervision as a gestalt therapist with Laura Perls, Isadore From, Richard Kitzler, and Patrick Kelley with the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy
1981 Masters in Social Work, New York University
1972 Juris Doctor, New York University
“Sensing Animals, Knowing Persons: A Challenge to Some Basic Ideas,”in Advanced Gestalt Therapy, ed. Tali Levine Bar-Joseph,Routledge
"One Good Turn Deserves Another: Considering the Relational Perspectives of Gestalt Therapy," Gestalt Review
"Foreword," Gestalt Therapy, Guidebook for Mental Health Professionals, Philip Brownell, Springer Verlag
“In Search of Gestalt Therapy Group Process, (revised)” Studies in Gestalt Therapy: Dialogical Bridges. Vol 3, No 1.
“The Phenomenological Method of Gestalt Therapy: Revisiting Husserl,” Gestalt Review
“Let’s Go Round Again: Response to Gaffney,” Gestalt Review
"A Response to 'Schema Therapy: A Gestalt-Oriented Overview' from the Perspective of Foundational Gestalt Therapy, Gestalt!
"Foreword," Eccentric Genius: An Anthology of the Writings of Richard Kitzler, Master Gestalt Therapist, Gestalt Institute Press
“New Feet Were Asked…,(AAGT Keynote Address),” British Gestalt Journal
“In Search of Gestalt Therapy Group Process,” in Beyond the Hot Seat Revisted, Bud Feder and Ruth Jon Fred, eds. The Gestalt Institute Press
“Phenomenological Method,” (with Todd Burley) in Handbook for Theory, Research, and Practice in Gestalt Therapy, Phil Brownell, ed.
Cambridge Scholars Publishing
Preface, Panic Attacks and Postmodernity, Gianni Francesetti, ed., FrancoAngeli
“The Aesthetics of Commitment,” British Gestalt Journal
“Laura Perls in New York,” The International Gestalt Journal
“A Foundational Model for Gestalt Therapy,” International Gestalt Journal
“Tiger, Tiger, Burning Bright,” chapter in Creative License: the art of Gestalt Therapy, Springer Verlag
“Le Chant du Self,“ Les documents du travail. (French translation of “Song of the Self,” Fall 2002)
“Song of the Self,” The Gestalt Journal
Designing Effective AIDS Prevention Workshops,” co-author, AIDS Education and Prevention
Unpublished Manuscripts:
"Darkness Visible: Aspects of Depression"
"Echo and Narcissus: A Case of Narcissism"
"Experience Indivisible: The Whole of Gestalt Therapy"
"Self Structuring/Functioning"
"Chasing Rainbows: Material, Foundation, and Emergent Ethics in Gestalt Therapy."
"The Sequence of Contacting: A Summary for Comparison"
"Anticipatory Resoluteness or Time Stares Us Down -- Eulogy for Richard Kitzler, May 9, 2009"
November, 2010
"Gestalt Diagnosis?" panelist, New York City Gestalt Inter-Institute Committee Conference,, New York
September, 2010,
"Talking in the House of the Other: the Ethos of Dialogical Contact," presentation, EAGT International Conference, Berlin, Germany
"Psychopathology and Gestalt Therapy," panelist, EAGT International Conference, Berlin, Germany
"German Jews in Pre-War Berlin: a remarkable creative-adjustment?" panel co-moderator, EAGT International Conference, Berlin, Germany
June, 2010
“Chasing Rainbows: Material, and Fundamental Ethics in Gestalt Therapy and the Ethos of Dialogical Contact, presentation, AAGT Biennial Conference, Philadelphia, Pa.
June, 2010
“The Field of ‘Field,’” panel moderator, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy Biennial Conference
February, 2010, “Talking in the House of the Other: the Ethos of Dialogical Contact,” The New York Institute for Gestalt therapy
November 2009
"What is Relational about Gestalt Therapy?" panelist, New York City Gestalt Inter-Institute Committee Conference, New York, New York
June 2009,
"Chasing Rainbows: Material. Foundational, and Emergent Ethics in Gestalt Therapy," Invited Plenary Presentation, International Gestalt Therapy Association Conference, Madrid, Spain
July 2008
Keynote Speaker, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy International Conference, Manchester UK
July 2008
“Embodied Intentionality,” workshop presentation, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy International Conference
December 2007
"The Sequence of Contacting," Opening Presentation, "Colloquium: 'Shall I Compare Thee' -- the Sequence of Contacting and Cycle of Experience," Conference, The New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy
September 2007
“The Influences of Gestalt Psychology and American Pragmatism on the Development of Gestalt Therapy,” panel member, Ninth European Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy Congress, Athens
“Awareness, Consciousness, and Intentionality: The Contact Sequence Revisited,” presentation, Ninth European Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy Congress, Athens
January 2007
“The Dwell of Loneliness: Echo, Narcissus, and a Clinical Case,” presentation, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, NY
August 2006
“Awareness and Consciousness: A Unifying Model of Contacting,” lecture and workshop, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy, Vancouver
April 2006
“Awareness, Consciousness, and Interpretation,” monthly presentation, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, New York
June 2005
“Laura Perls – the Aesthetic of Commitment,” opening speech, Laura Perls Centennial Conference, Munich
February 2005
“Gestalt Therapy: Past and Present,” lecture, Catholic University, Rio de Janeiro
November 2004
“The Aesthetic Criterion and Foundational Gestalt Therapy,” Workshop presentation, Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy Conference, St. Petersburg, Florida
September 2004
“A Trans-Atlantic Duet: American and and Italian Gestalt therapists discuss their common ground,” conference workshop, European Association for Gestalt Therapy Congress, Prague
“Case Presentation and Discussion by Experts,” panel member, European Association for Gestalt Therapy Congress, Prague
October 2003
“The Strange Case of NYIGT,” monthly presentation, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, New York
June 2003
Speaker and Presenter, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy’s Fiftieth Anniversary Conference, New York
November 2002
Keynote Speaker and Panelist, Seventh International Congress of Gestalt Therapy, Naples, Italy
May 2001
“Experience Indivisible: the Body in Gestalt Therapy,” monthly presentation, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, New York
November 1997
Conference Presentation, “Self: Structuring/Functioning,” A Transatlantic Dialogue, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy Conference, New York
January 1997
“Self: Structuring/Functioning,” paper, monthly meeting presentation, New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, New York
April 1992
“The Song of the Self: Language and Gestalt Therapy," paper, monthly meeting presentation, New York Institute for Gestalt therapy, New York
May 1991
“The Psychosocial Impact of AIDS: Psychotherapy Issues,” presentation to graduate interns, Pace College, New York
October 1990
“The Song of the Self: Language and Gestalt Therapy,” lecture, Gestalt Therapy Institute, New York
May 1990
“The Psychosocial Impact of AIDS: Psychotherapy Issues,” presentation to graduate interns, Pace College, New York
May 1990
“With Ourselves: Lesbian and Gay Therapists Working Together,” Faculty Member, One-Day Institute, American Orthopsychiatric Association Annual Meeting, Miami Beach
March 1990
“Sex, Dating and Intimacy in the Age of AIDS,” all-day workshop sponsored by Boston AIDS Action Committee, Boston
April 1989
“Sex Dating and Intimacy in the Age of AIDS,” all-day community workshop sponsored by the Gay Men’s Health Crisis, New York
April 1989
“Sex, Dating and Intimacy in the Age of AIDS: A Prevention and Lifestyle Workshop,” Pre-Conference Institute, Eleventh National Lesbian and Gay Health Conference and AIDS Forum, San Francisco
March 1989
“With Ourselves: Lesbian and Gay Therapists Working Together,” Faculty Member, One-Day Institute, American Orthopsychiatric Association Annual Meeting, New York
October 1988
“Sex, Dating and Intimacy in the Age of AIDS,” all-day workshop sponsored by AIDS Committee of Toronto, Toronto
September 1988
“Sex, Dating and Intimacy in the Age of AIDS,” all-day workshop sponsored by Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska
September 1988
“Strategies in AIDS Prevention Education,” presentation, Department of Social Services, Municipality of Anchorage, Alaska
July 1988
“Men Meeting Men,” Workshop Presentation, Second International Lesbian & Gay Health Conference & AIDS Forum, Boston
March 1988
“With Ourselves: Lesbian and Gay Therapists Working Together,” Faculty Member, One-Day Institute, American Orthopsychiatric Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco
“Dialogue Between Women and Men: Experiencing Our Sexualities,” Faculty Member, workshop, American Orthopsychiatric Association Annual Meeting, San Francisco
March 1988
“Men Meeting Men,” Community Workshop, New York
December 1987
“Heterosexual AIDS: Hoax or Horror?” Guest, Geraldo Rivera Show, WOR-TV, nationally syndicated TV broadcast
November 1987
“The Psychosocial Aspects of AIDS on Individuals and Families,” U.S. Public Health Service, New York
November 1987
“The Psychosocial Aspect of AIDS,” A Day of AIDS Training, AIDS Education Task Force of Baruch College and Gay Men's Health Crisis
October 1987
“The AIDS Campaign in the United States,” lecture, Festikon 87, Seminar on the AIDS Campaign and Mass Media, Netherlands Film Institute, Amsterdam, Netherlands
July 1987
“Men Meeting Men,” community workshop, New York
June 1987
“Hot, Horny and Healthy: Eroticizing Safer Sex,” AIDS Committee of Toronto AIDS Awareness Week, Toronto
May 1987
“AIDS: What Is It and How Do We Feel About It?” Metropolitan Community Church, New York
November 1985
“Clinical Interventions with a Population At-Risk for AIDS,” National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis, New York
April 1987
“Impact of AIDS on Gay Men,” American Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama Association Annual Meeting, New York
April 1987
“Psycho-Social Impact of AIDS,” Hebrew Union College, New York
March 1987
“Working for Ourselves: Gay and Lesbian Therapists Together,” Faculty Member, One-Day Institute, American Orthopsychiatric Association Annual Meeting, Washington, DC
March 1987
“Impact of AIDS on Gay Men,” National Lesbian and Gay Health Conference, Los Angeles
November 1986
“The Psychosocial Impact of AIDS: Pediatric AIDS,” AIDS Sensitivity Training, Special Services for Children, New York City Human Resources Administration, New York
September 1986
“Impact of AIDS on Gay Men,” National Conference, National Association of Social Workers, San Francisco
April 1986
“Homophobia and Psychotherapy,” New York City Department of Mental Health Community Forum, New York
March 1986
“Impact of AIDS on Gay Men,” New York City Chapter, National Association of Social Workers, New York
September 1985
“Impact of AIDS on Urban Gay Men,” National Meeting, International Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, Philadelphia
June 1985
“A Demonstration Support Group for Practitioners,” Gay Men's Health Crisis Conference, "The Challenge of AIDS," New York
April 1985
“Impact of AIDS on Urban Gay Men,” Eastern Division Conference, International Society for the Scientific Study of Sex, Philadelphia
June 1984
“A Support Group for AIDS Workers,” First International Lesbian and Gay Health Conference and Third AIDS Forum, New York