Suddenly it’s autumn and warm days carried us right through September. The editorial team have not aestivated [opposite of hibernated], but as you know have over the Summer hatched the idea of doing without a named theme for the next issue…

So, as the summer months disappear … a reflection on the last few months and thoughts of what’s next.

The conflict between immediate pleasure and comfort, and the global and personal consequences of myopia and the denial of inconvenient truths.

“Why did you want to be a Gestalt psychotherapist Emilyn? You’re a dance performer and choreographer. Why another profession?” Every time I’m asked this question, I get an opportunity to remind myself how these different worlds are enriched by one another.

As I travel through Central Europe, living, cooking, eating and sleeping outdoors in our natural world, the lessons that I experience feel varied, precious and important to me and actually for all humanity.

I wonder why my heart yearns

almost grieves,

weeping at the beauty of your face

it's an unfathomable life

so deep,

so raw,

so encompassing of life and death.

You put your hand in mine,

Or maybe I put my hand in yours, I’m not sure.

Your hand is old, the dark blue veins prominent, cased in wrinkles

Your nails are thick, neatly cut and pristine

In spite of how hard your hands have worked.

This ‘work in progress’ poem reflects some of my experience following a small accidental event in March 2023. Unfortunately, this event had dire repercussions, almost costing me my voice and my life.

We have confirmed our dates and venue for the 2024 UKAGP Residential Conference. We will be going to the Woodland Grange in Leamington Spa from Friday 14th to Sunday 16th June 2024. Some emerging ideas for our conference theme are "In Stuckness and In Play”

What happens when the author and translator are the same person: a client telling a therapist about their phenomenological reality.

This year- long 2024 course draws inspiration from the pioneering work of Gestalt Therapists Violet Oaklander and Mark McConville whose approaches put the relationship between therapist and young person at the heart of the therapeutic process.

This gestalt workshop builds theoretical understanding and clinical practice skills in working with children and young people. It utilises a variety of arts-based ways of working, including lyric writing, haiku poetry- making and theatre games.