The primary objective of the OSD Center is to further the use and development of Gestalt theory and methodology in organizational contexts. Offerings of the OSD Center include training programs, organizational consulting, research, and workshops.

In the OSD Spotlight

The OD Network Is Proud to Announce Recipients of the 2011 OD Network Awards

Each year, the OD Network recognizes a select number of people and organizations that have made significant contributions to the field of organization development. We are excited to share that a Gestalt Organization & Systems Development faculty member has received the ODN Lifetime Achievement Award for the third year in a row. Congratulations to Brenda Jones 2011 recipient.

The Organization Development Network, ODN, Lifetime Achievement Award went to OSD Faculty for the last 3 consecutive years:

• 2011 Brenda Jones   OSD Faculty and current NTL Institute President
• 2010 Edwin C. Nevis OSD Founder and GISC Co-Founder (deceased May 2011)
• 2009 John D. Carter  OSD Founder and current OSD Center President

For more information, visit www.odnetwork.org.

Two Opportunities to be a Volunteer Client

Our Group Intensive program holds two weekend sessions with client groups. This outstanding opportunity is open to all adults, and commonly results in a mix of age, sex, and race among client group members. Typical client occupational backgrounds include health care, social work, therapists of all categories, business owners, management personnel, tradesmen, and homemakers. All, however, are welcome! Read more. Space is limited. We encourage early registration. Apply on-line NOW OR Mail in your Application.

As a volunteer client group member, you may attend one or both sessions:

• Friday through Sunday, May 25-27, 2012 Register by May 25th
• Friday through Sunday, August 24-26, 2012 Register by August 1st

Join Us for a Workshop

An Introduction to Gestalt Workshop is being held March 16-18, 2012 in Seattle, Washington. Introductory workshops are led by Gestalt OSD Center faculty for 10-12 individuals working as a group to support individual personal growth and development. The workshop satisfies the Introductory Gestalt Workshop prerequisite for all OSD training program applicants. Read more. Our last Introductory workshop in Seattle sold out. We encourage early enrollment.

Becoming a Better Intervener: A Gestalt Organization & Systems Development Workshop. Next date TBD.

Read more on our Workshops page

Training Programs

OSD Group Intensive (Advanced Training) is for individuals who wish to enhance their knowledge of group process and their skills in group leadership. The program emphasizes the theoretical base and philosophy of Gestalt work with groups, including personal growth, task, and special design groups. Background theory and concepts of group dynamics are presented from historical and comparative approaches. This program also invites people from the local communities to serve as volunteer clients to further participants' learning. Read more. The next program consists of 2 sessions: May 20-28, 2012 and August 20-27, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio.

The Organization & Systems Development Training Program (OSD Program) is a world-class Gestalt OSD training program that reflects over 30 years of innovative development and application of Gestalt OSD theory, concepts, and methodology. Participants gain invaluable knowledge and skills in intervention design and implementation at all levels of system, and receive immediate feedback from experienced instructors during structured practicums. The program has both a Standard Format (9 modules over 3 years) starting October 10, 2012 in Seattle, Washington and a Weekend Format (9 weekend modules over 1 year) starting June 15, 2012 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Weekend Format provides an opportunity for individuals interested in the Gestalt Center's world-class OSD training to undertake the experience in a weekend format, requiring minimum time away from work. Both formats provides individuals with the theory, concept, methodology, skills, and techniques for effectively intervening at the individual, two-person, group, and organizational levels of system. Read more.

OSD Group Intensive (Advanced Training) - next program starts February 2014, taking applications for May 2012

Organization & Systems Development Program (Weekend Format) - taking applications for
June 2012
1 Year/9 Weekends

Organization & Systems Development Program (Standard Format) - taking applications for October 2012
3 Years/9 Modules

Becoming a Better Intervener: Organization & Systems Development Intensive - next date TBD
1 year intensive - 5 modules

OSD International Program: A Gestalt Approach to Organization & Systems Development - next program starts May 2013

OSD International Coaching Program (OSDICP) - next program starts November 2013

Gestalt OSD at OD Network Conference

Welcome to the Gestalt OSD Center

“Take a PowerPoint (re)view of the Center’s programs and faculty”

Brenda B. Jones, MS is the 2011 ODN Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. Brenda is an organizational consultant based in Columbia, MD, with over 20 years' experience. Her national and international consulting work focuses on organization strategic and culture change, leadership development, individual and group effectiveness, the development of consultants, and managing culturally diverse organizations. She directs her energy towards integrating both the human and business sides of an organization, with applications at all levels of system. She is a past Board of Trustees member of the OD Network, and a member of NTL Institute and IODA. Former faculty of the American University/NTL Graduate Program for Organization Development, and the Gestalt OSD Center.

Edwin C. Nevis, Ph.D. is the 2010 ODN Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. Edwin is co-founder of the Gestalt International Study Center, an educational organization that he and his wife, Sonia M, Nevis, formed in 1979. He also helped found the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland in 1956, where he remained as President until 1973, and as an active faculty member until 2001. While connected to the Cleveland Institute, he co-created the well known Organization & System Development Program (1977), and the International OSD Program (1991).

John D. Carter, Ph.D. is the 2009 ODN Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. The Gestalt Center for Organization & Systems Development, familiarly referred to as the OSD Center or simply Gestalt OSD, has been a supporter and sponsor of the OD Network Conference for many years. Our BBI workshop, back by popular demand yet again for 2009, is the longest running ODN pre-conference workshop. This year’s convention was especially sweet: John D. Carter was awarded ODN’s Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to our Gestalt Center for Organization & Systems Development, the Gestalt/OSD presence was represented as well by the Gestalt International Study Center and the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland. And we were pleased and proud that a number of current and former faculty as well as graduates of OSD Center training programs were presenters, including three of the founders of Gestalt OSD programs: John D. Carter, Edwin C. Nevis, and Carolyn Lukensmeyer. Carolyn presented a keynote address.

Special Events

John D. Carter and Veronica Hopper Carter presented a Master Teleclass on key concepts of Gestalt coaching and intervention on November 26, 2008, sponsored by Mobius Executive Leadership and Integral Leadership and Coaching. “Conversations with Masters” is a seven-month series of teleclasses for coaches engaging with pioneers and thought leaders in the field of coaching and Organizational Development. Click here to listen to the podcast.

Printable Brochures & Special Mailings

Current PDF brochures available. For your convenience, information on OSD Training Programs is available for download under the Training Programs menu header in PDF. Please be aware that where discrepancies between the PDF brochures and the Web site occur, particularly regarding program schedule dates, the most current and reliable information will be found on the Web site. Note also that Continuing Education Credits are not offered at this time for OSD Training Program or workshop offerings. For other information, or to clarify any discrepancies, you may contact our registrar at 440.205.8606 or at osdregistrar@gestaltosd.org. OSD training programs offer a variety of structures and experiences that enhance participants' understanding of the Gestalt OSD approach to becoming a better intervener. Join us for a personal and professional experience unlike any other training program you have ever participated in before. Please forward information to interested friends and colleagues.