About Us

Our Organization

The Organization & Systems Development Center was established in 1974 at the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland with the unique goal of applying Gestalt theory, concepts, and methodology at all levels of system in organizational contexts. The Gestalt Center for Organization & Systems Development (Gestalt OSD Center) conducts training programs and workshops under the auspices of the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland Organization & Systems Development Integrative Studies Center, Inc. (GISOSDISC). Both organizations are independent non-profit educational entities.

Our Mission

The Gestalt Center for Organization & Systems Development is dedicated to the advancement and teaching of Gestalt OSD theory, concepts, and methodology for individuals, groups, and organizations interested in enhancing self-mastery and use of self in organizational contexts. We are proud of our reputation as the premier "finishing school" for individuals at the Master's and doctorate degree level who seek to hone their intervention skills across multiple levels of system. Our ultimate aim in our training programs and workshops is to encourage and enable our students to walk into a room anywhere in the world, containing any number of people, and make a significant difference with their presence.

What We Offer

The Gestalt OSD Center offers both training programs and workshops that meet the needs of people already working in, or interested in working in, any professional organizational context. Our core programs are specifically designed to develop our participants’ knowledge and skills with regard to influencing the systems they work and live in. Gestalt OSD training programs have attracted participants from around the world, and we strive in each program to provide the greatest possible breadth and depth of differing perspectives. Currently we conduct regular programs in Israel, Norway, and Ghana. But we are always seeking new program sites, venues, and co-sponsors. As a result, many of our faculty are OSD graduates who come from our host countries and beyond, so that both our faculty and our participants are international.

What's Happening

The quality of Gestalt OSD Center programs is our foremost concern, and we continue to meet or surpass our participants' high expectations. The 2005-2006 program year exceeded our own expectations financially and in most of our strategic areas. Existing OSD training programs-OSD International, OSD Weekend Program, Becoming a Better Intervener, and OSD International Gestalt Coaching-were well attended and highly praised. We are proud to announce that our International Gestalt Coaching Program won accreditation by the International Coach Federation this year.

A joint program offered this year by GISC in Wellfleet and the Center's International Gestalt Coaching Program was attended by more than fifty people, the most to ever attend a program offered at GISC. The Center led, participated in, or materially supported several successful large-group interventions undertaken by not-for-profit organizations, including one in Cleveland and one in Dallas. Three new large-group (100-300 people) seminars conducted in several US locations in partnership with a spirituality group were also successful and highly rewarding.

A new Gestalt OSD training program start-up took place this December in Ghana, Africa. Our established overseas partnerships in Israel and Turkey were maintained and strengthened, attracting a number of participants into our US programs. The Center's partnership with ODN and with AFF of Norway are now long-term alliances that have proven exceptionally successful, producing programs that are currently offered on an annual basis.