Relational Gestalt Practice Open Seat Circle

A series of 4 weekends in the Months of Oct, Dec 2026, Feb and April 2027

This series is designed for people who would like to practice Relational Gestalt through individual sessions within a group setting. A committed group in which the same members participate in each retreat can create a community where participants offer support to each other over time. This group will meet 4 times in person for weekend retreats in Aptos, CA.

Open Seat is the practice in which an individual is supported in using the tools of Relational Gestalt Practice to contact their moment-to-moment experience. As part of this, students may explore sensations and emotion, face life situations past and present, or develop their ability for self-expression and communication. Whatever the content of the exploration, the goal of Open Seat is to become more present, aware and in touch with ourselves and our environment. The group will be structured so that any learning theory will revolve around an emerging curriculum, through themes that arise in the open seat work and group process.

Elective exercises and opportunities between in person retreats include partner practices, as well as group check ins on Zoom, led by Dorothy Charles, Elizabeth Fries or Yu-Lin Kong.

This workshop is open to those who have attended a previous Relational Gestalt Practice workshop with Dorothy, or done GAP with Christine Price or Sharon Terry. There will be an opportunity to have 2 individual Open Seat sessions with Dorothy over the course of the 4 weekend series.

Dates

Weekends (Saturday 10am-6pm, & Sunday 9am-4pm - in person)
October 17-18, 2026
December 12- 13, 2026
February 20-21, 2027
April 17-18, 2027

*Please note the schedule is different on each day

I ask that you commit to this group with the intention of attending all sessions, though I am open to hearing from you if have conflicts that would cause you to miss one session.

Group Location

Aptos, CA

Tuition

$1,650

*Contact registration@dorothycharles.com if scholarship is needed.

Registration

Contact registration@dorothycharles.com to register. Numbers are limited and you will receive a response with information on how to secure your place by paying a $350 non-refundable deposit by PayPal. The remaining balance is due one week before the start of the series.

Pay in full at registration and save $150 (total: $1,500).

**Covid policy: Because of the continued prevalence of COVID, to protect everyone's health, we ask that all participants provide proof of a negative antigen test taken on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday before the start of group. Vaccination is encouraged. Masking is welcomed for self-protection. If you have symptoms of illness, we ask you not to attend.**