History of Riga Gestalt Institute

The development of Riga Gestalt Institute depicts the history of gestalt’s development in Latvia and is a part of this history. It all took place during political changes in 1990s.

2004 year, RGI

In summer 1992 International institute of Practical Psychology (known also as Mikhailov’s Institute) held first gestalt therapy group. It was tutored by Georgy Platonov – at that time one of the leaders of Saint-Petersburg’s Centre of gestalt. 40 people took part in this group.

At the same 1992 three study seminars about gestalt therapy took place. They were tutored by Georgy Platonov (now – the director of East-European Gestalt Institute, Saint Petersburg) and Yelena Ivanova (now – the director of North-Western Gestalt Institute, Saint Petersburg). Group consisted of 15 students.

In 1993 this program was expended to full-time study course for gestalt practitioners (it had 7 participants). Tutor for this program was Georgy Platonov under supervision of FORGE.

In 1993 Roy Person (USA) held in Riga professional group with the team of gestaltists. Unfortunately this program was not continued.

In 1996 Riga Gestal Centre was created. It still exists.

In summer 1997 first graduation of certified gestalt practitioners in Latvia took place. It was headed by Serge Ginger, president of FORGE.

In 1999 Artur Dombrovsky received Diploma of Gestalt Therapist of Paris Institute of Gestalt, becoming the first certified gestalt therapist in Latvia.

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In August 1999 gestalt therapy study project and professional program was started. It still continues based on experience and knowledge of specialists from Latvia.

In spring 2000 Serge Ginger’s book “Gestalt – the art of contact” was published in Latvian. The presentation of the book in Riga was held by Serge Ginger himself and his wife Ann Ginger.

On 4th of June 2002 Riga Gestalt Institute (RGI) was officially registered.

In July 2002 RGI was presented on FORGE meeting in Krakow.

On 28th - 29th of September 2002 first professional RGI conference took place.

On 3rd - 4th  of May 2003 second (and first open) conference “Human Dimension” took place in Riga.

14th-20th of July 2003 – joint summer residence of Riga Gestalt Institute and Moscow Gestalt Institute

4th - 6th of June 2004 – third international RGI conference. First graduation ceremony of RGI students, which was also first gestalt specialists graduation in Latvia. 

The first issue of RGI in June 2004

21st - 24th of August 2004 – first RGI summer residence in Vaidava – modernized form of intensive studies, that is practiced by Los-Angeles Association of Gestalt Therapy and in Russia.

18th - 21st  of March 2005 – seminar held by well known Dutch gestalt therapist Harm Siemens, one of the founders of gestalt therapy traditions in Europe.

21st - 22nd of May 2005 – fourth RGI conference “Human Dimension”

19th - 25th  of August 2005  - second RGI summer residence in Zolve.

The fourth conference of RGI, 2005

22nd - 23rd of April 2006 – fifth RGI conference “Human Dimension”

7th - 9th  of July 2006 – seminar held by Martin Masson (Paris School of Gestalt). Seminar topic – gestalt therapy in couple relations.

The first issue of Chartered geshtalt-terapeits of RGI, 2006

9th of July 2006 – first RGI graduation of gestalt therapists: Daiga Auzina, Baiba Pumpina, Nikolay Shcherbakov. Tutors: Martin Masson (EPG), Solvita Vektere, Artur Dombrovsky (on the photo from left to right).

21st - 27th of August 2006 – third RGI summer residence “Pie saulītes”

28th - 29th of April 2007 – sixth RGI conference.

2nd - 8th of July 2007 – fourth RGI summer residence.

Gestalt-practics Issue of RGI, 2007

28th of October 2007 – graduation of RGI gestalt practitioners. Tutors: Harm Siemens (Holland), Artur Dombrovsky, Solvita Vektere. Graduates: Iveta Riekstina, Olga Domasheva, Julia Perepelka, Elita Abola, Inese Vigante, Jana Grutkovska, Agija Bogdanova. Students: Olga Rikmane. Interpreter: Asijat Jambajeva.

19th - 20th of April 2008 – seventh RGI conference.