01/14/2022
Bay Area Gestalt Institute will be accepting applications in February 2022 for the September 2022 Associate Program
The details for applying to the BAGI Associates program are below. Please email [email protected] to request a full application packet.
If you are interested in attending the informational session please email the admissions team at [email protected] to RSVP and we will send you the Zoom link.
BAGI Associate Program:
BAGI comprises 20-35 members at any given time and meets on Mondays. Currently, we are meeting via Zoom and pre-Covid we met in the Mission district of San Francisco. Pre-pandemic we were having two retreats per year: usually a weekend retreat in the spring and a daylong or weekend in the fall. The associate program begins in September and membership is ongoing.
New associates are expected to make a membership commitment to BAGI of at least one year; membership can continue on past licensure.
Prerequisites to applying for the associate program are:
To be an Associate Marriage and Family Therapist or an Associate Professional Clinical Counselor registered with the State of California Board of Behavioral Services, having completed one year’s work experience post-practicum, or having completed the Church Street Integral Counseling Center Associate Program, by the time you enter the BAGI associate program.
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To have a strong interest in being a Gestalt therapist, demonstrated through participation in a Gestalt associate program, participation in a Gestalt process group, having a Gestalt supervisor or therapist, or other Gestalt-based activities.
Associate responsibilities include:
* Finding an office to sublet/rent under the auspices of BAGI (during the pandemic most of our therapists are practicing telehealth and not utilizing offices)
* Obtaining your own malpractice insurance
* Arranging supervision with an approved supervisor familiar with Gestalt therapy
* Monthly dues for shared organizational costs
* Involvement in one or more committees, as well as community events
* Regular attendance at community meetings and trainings
* Submitting monthly accounting spreadsheets in a timely manner
* Marketing your practice apart from BAGI
BAGI provides associates:
* An inspiring community of psychotherapists with diverse experience and backgrounds, offering guidance and support on the path to licensure
* Administrative infrastructure to enable associates to earn income as employees or, as volunteers, to be able to spend pre-tax income on educational expenses
* Opportunities to lead and participate in decision-making, process groups, organizational development, and training, according to the associate’s goals and interests
* Monthly training from internal and external trainers, including Gestalt therapy, related modalities, marketing, and other aspects of growing a private practice
* Group supervision at a low fee
* Slip-and-fall liability insurance for all offices
* Online presence on the BAGI website
* Referrals through its general call line and website
* Networking opportunities with the larger Gestalt community
Applying to BAGI consists of 4 steps:
1) Attending the BAGI informational meeting on February 7th @ 11.30am - please RSVP to [email protected] for the Zoom info
2) Writing and submitting the written application
3) Attending the group interview
4) Scheduling and attending the individual interview
Note: If for some reason you cannot make it to one of the above please reach out to [email protected] in advance.
2022 Application Timeline:
Monday, February 7
BAGI informational meeting, 11:30am - 12:30pm via Zoom
Monday, February 21
Applications due (these are submitted via email)
Monday, March 7
Group interview* during BAGI Community Meeting via Zoom
March 7-18
Individual interviews via Zoom ** scheduled
Monday, April 4
All applicants will be notified by phone of Application Committee decisions
June/July
New cohort meets with Orientation Committee for detailed logistics and to complete documents
July/August
New associates secure office spaces (if applicable) and malpractice insurance
Monday, September 12
First Community Meeting and the beginning of the associate program
* The purpose of the group interview is for BAGI members to have some contact and exchange with the applicants and vice versa, and for all present to have an experience of the applicants sitting in a circle with the current community.
We will be utilizing breakout rooms in Zoom in order to facilitate smaller group contact during the group interview. Candidates and current BAGI members will be asked to respond to a series of questions during the smaller group interaction.
**The individual interview will be conducted with two BAGI members and its purpose is to assess fit with the mission, culture, and offerings of BAGI, and to discuss if the organization can meet the applicant’s expectations. There will be time for applicant questions.
