About

Steve

Vinay

Gunther

Personal

I am by nature an optimist and an adventurer. I like to believe things will go well, and that people are basically well intentioned.

As I have learned more about myself, this stance has been tempered with an appreciation of what my wife and I call The Unvirtues. This refers to our underbelly, the shadow, the disowned parts of self that can undermine the best of intentions. I am interested in this therapeutically, as it brings a more holistic approach to relationship, and I am intersted in it personally, as it bring me more depth.

Professional

My interest and study of psychotherapy spans 40 years. I have been in private practice for 30 years, working with individuals, couples and families. My training includes the following:

• Gestalt therapy
• Family therapy
• Career coaching
• Narrative therapy
• Family Constellations

I have also trained in NLP, somatic psychotherapy and relational therapy.

Variety

My background also includes theatre and clowning, street theatre, community activism, meditation philosophy and practice. I have run several businesses, including a vegetarian cafe, a sign writing business, and a food coop.

NRGI

I founded the Northern Rivers Gestalt Institute – a four year post graduate program that achieved registration with the education department. I was director of the program for 17 years, and responsible for all aspects of school including curriculum development, supervision, training and assessment.

Career Development

I have developed a unique process called Career Decision Coaching™, which integrates a number of approaches in one focused session, and helps people find their ideal career path.

Lifeworks International Program

I regularly teach in the US, Mexico, China and Japan. One of my specialisations is in the area of psychotherapy and spirituality. I am director of Spiritual Psychology at Ryokan College.

Gestalt Therapy International

In association with Forrest James, I offer an international training program in various locations. 2016 will see a full contemporary relational Gestalt training offered in China for the first time.

Best selling author

I am the author of a book for men called The Woman In Your Life – A Man's Guide to a Happy Relationship.

Rewards

I enjoy my work, and find a great deal of satisfaction from helping people move through their challenges, towards self discovery and empowerment. I find teaching and training particularly rewarding, and I integrate theory and experiential approaches in my educational approach.

Family

I have 5 grown children and 4 grandchildren. I am fascinated by systems theory and cybernetics, and am currently a doctoral student, working on a thesis about the interpersonal dimensions of power.

About me - a 3 minute interview

Qualifications

I hold a Graduate Diploma of Social Ecology, and a Masters of Mental Health. I am currently a Phd candidate. I have achieved full certification as a Gestalt Therapist.

I am a member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy), and CDAA (Career Development Association of Australia), and the Right Use of Power Guild.

I have trained with many excellent teachers, including:

Lynne Jacobs, Gary Yontef, Chris Campbell, Joseph Zinker, Len Bergantino, Jorge Rosner, Ernesto Spinelli, Dan Wile, Andrew Samuels, Bill O'Hanlon, Carol Erickson, Helga Matzko, Erv & Miriam Polster, Bob Resnick, Jill Cooper, Michael Durrant, Michael White, Albrecht Marr, Jakob Schneider, Francesca Boring Nash, Jeffrey Zeig, Guni Baxa, Stephanie Hurst, Fran Pearvey, Jean Huston, Ken Dyers, Richard Nelson Bolles, Barbara Sher, Jim Kepner, Lester Wyman, Jeff Barlow, Johnella Bird, Julie Henderson, Eileen Wright, and many others as well.