Welcome to our Institute!
Are you feeling inspired to bring your love for horses and nature into your work?
Are you seeking a creative and meaningful path toward helping others heal?
Is relationship with animals and the natural world important to you?
If you answered yes, you've come to the right place. Grab a cup of tea and read on...
Are you seeking a creative and meaningful path toward helping others heal?
Is relationship with animals and the natural world important to you?
If you answered yes, you've come to the right place. Grab a cup of tea and read on...
GEIR is a training institute for professionals and students in the psychotherapy, counseling, coaching, equine, nature and education fields. We offer trainings in both:
What is Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy(TM)?
Gestalt Therapy is defined as the process of exploring our experience in and of relationship while in relationship. Holding ‘I-Thou’ with the utmost respect, working to support growth in relationship, deepening contact, and inspiring creative choice are core tenants of this therapy. Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy (GEP) holds the above definition as fundamental as we integrate horses, and therefore nature, into the therapeutic process. Horses bring desire for relationship without prejudice, seeking contact and congruence as the only criteria for the creation of emotional intimacy. Nature exemplifies awareness and presence, providing an opening for us to move into contact and connection in the way in which we are designed - unburdened by layers of familial, societal, and systemic introjects. Horses and nature therefore allow the opportunity to re-create our original attachment with ourselves, the environment, and others when we have experienced emotional injury, relational rupture and/or loss. Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy is our journey into land/nature/equine- based relationship which provides the foundation to heal the nature of our being.
(Written by Duey Freeman and Kimberly Beck)
(Written by Duey Freeman and Kimberly Beck)
What is Gestalt Nature Therapy?
As in GEP, Gestalt Nature Therapy holds the above definition as fundamental while explicitly exploring the client's ecological identity and their engagement with Place as part of the 'field' that shapes them.
'Gestalt therapy starts with nature. Its inspiration and basic principles are taken from looking at free functioning in nature, in our body, and in our healthy spontaneous behavior.' (Latner, 1973)
Inherently ecological and systemic, Gestalt Nature Therapy accurately reflects our human nature as interconnected. Rooted in a worldview of Earth as a living organism, and the recognition that Self emerges only in the matrix of all our relations (which extend beyond familial, interpersonal spheres), Gestalt lends itself most fittingly as a therapy that attends to the client-nature relationship. By orientating to this wholistic perception and by collaborating with the aliveness of nature in the here-and-now, clinicians support a relational re-inhabitation of body and land.
'Gestalt therapy starts with nature. Its inspiration and basic principles are taken from looking at free functioning in nature, in our body, and in our healthy spontaneous behavior.' (Latner, 1973)
Inherently ecological and systemic, Gestalt Nature Therapy accurately reflects our human nature as interconnected. Rooted in a worldview of Earth as a living organism, and the recognition that Self emerges only in the matrix of all our relations (which extend beyond familial, interpersonal spheres), Gestalt lends itself most fittingly as a therapy that attends to the client-nature relationship. By orientating to this wholistic perception and by collaborating with the aliveness of nature in the here-and-now, clinicians support a relational re-inhabitation of body and land.
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...Whether our awareness is greater than or more intense than animals, bacteria, cells, plants, or stars I do not know. We need to suspect the vanity of saying we are the most conscious.' -Fritz Perls, 1959 |
Why Choose GEIR?
- Become certified by one of the finest and most respected therapy training institutes
- Learn the power of Gestalt Theory as both a therapeutic modality and as a lifestyle
- Practice professional Gestalt Equine Psychotherapy without the requirement of an 'equine specialist'/3rd person in your client sessions
- Expand your work by learning to co-facilitate with horses AND/OR nature
- Our institute is not just for therapists. We train counselors, coaches, graduate students, spiritual guides, riding instructors, horse trainers, nature guides, and other animal/nature-based professionals
- All our faculty are professional psychotherapists
- Carry a certification that Equisure Insurance company recognizes and supports
- Discover therapy and facilitation as a creative ART versus a protocol
- Learn high-level relational horsemanship skills and horse care
- Receive guidance and supervision on your unique program development and design
- Be supported in both your personal and professional growth
- Learn how eco-literacy and naturalist intelligence enhance your creativity in therapy
- Learn nature-based applications for urban, suburban, and front-country therapy practices
- Study with Gestalt, Equine and Psychotherapy expert Duey Freeman
Duey Freeman, MA, LPC, Founder & Principle of GEIR
Duey is a sought after teacher, trainer, licensed therapist, and equine professional around the world. He has travelled to teach professionally in over 8 countries, has developed a practical attachment theory and human development theory that is taught to thousands of university students, has over 60,000 direct client hours, and co-founded both the Gestalt Equine Institute and the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies. He provides supervision to therapists and graduate students, does business and land consultations for new equine therapy sites, and models being a life-long student to your passions.
Gestalt and Relational Horsemanship are not just approaches to Duey; they are how he walks through the world. He embodies both tenderness and strength in all his relations and work. His quality of contact and relationship with others is authentic and unique, and has many people coming from around the country and world to study with him. He has worked incredibly hard to master his arts, and finds great joy in teaching ‘honest students’.
Duey is a true elder and mentor, and is exploring new horizons in facilitating men’s growth work. You can hear more about his approach and life perspective in ‘The Uncivilized Podcast’ here: https://www.manuncivilized.com/blog/trauma-healing-and-horses-with-duey-freeman
Gestalt and Relational Horsemanship are not just approaches to Duey; they are how he walks through the world. He embodies both tenderness and strength in all his relations and work. His quality of contact and relationship with others is authentic and unique, and has many people coming from around the country and world to study with him. He has worked incredibly hard to master his arts, and finds great joy in teaching ‘honest students’.
Duey is a true elder and mentor, and is exploring new horizons in facilitating men’s growth work. You can hear more about his approach and life perspective in ‘The Uncivilized Podcast’ here: https://www.manuncivilized.com/blog/trauma-healing-and-horses-with-duey-freeman
