THE GESTALT EXPERIENCE

Associate Certification Course in
Gestalt Psychology

Gestalt Therapy was developed by Fritz Perls and Laura Perls, rooted deeply in the principles of Gestalt Psychology. While both fields share a common foundation, Gestalt Therapy doesn't exactly mirror Gestalt Psychology- it branches out into something more personal and experiential.
Where Gestalt Psychology focuses on how the brain organizes information, seeing the mind as a self-organizing, holistic unit greater than just the sum of its parts, Gestalt Therapy brings this into the here and now. It emphasizes present-moment awareness, self-responsibility, and the direct experience of emotions.
Fritz also drew upon ideas from Freudian psychoanalysis and Wilhelm Reich’s body-based work, blending them into a more humanistic and experiential approach. This gave rise to a style of therapy that values authenticity, expression, and the integration of mind, body, and emotion.
At its heart, Gestalt Therapy is about becoming whole, owning all parts of ourselves and learning to live fully in the moment.

Richard ‘Dick’ McHugh was a Jesuit priest and a Ph.D. in Psychology, originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania. His spiritual and academic journey took a defining turn when he was ordained in Jamshedpur, India, on March 24, 1960- a moment that marked the beginning of a lifelong relationship with the country he would come to call home.
His path eventually led him to explore Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), which offered him powerful frameworks and tools to work with mental health in a deeper, more precise way. Through NLP, Dick was not only able to support others, but also engage in a process of personal introspection- discovering answers to questions rooted in his own life experiences.
This exploration opened new dimensions in his understanding of psychology, his physical environment, and, perhaps most profoundly, his relationship with religion. For Dick, NLP wasn’t just a methodology; it was a mirror- reflecting back insights about who he was and the world he lived in.

Anil Thomas is an internationally certified NLP Trainer and Gestalt Practitioner, whose therapeutic journey began under the mentorship of Dr. Richard (Dick) McHugh, SJ, Ph.D. It was through Fr. Dick’s teachings- and a deep personal connection to the subject that Anil was led to further his learning with John Grinder, one of the original co-founders of NLP, and other pioneers like Judith DeLozier (Russia) and Robert Dilts (USA).
Since 2008, Anil has been actively living and embodying NLP across the globe. He serves as a humble facilitator of global certification programs in NLP and Gestalt Therapy, conducting training in countries such as Australia, Russia, USA, Hong Kong, Thailand, and China.
He is also the proud mentor of the International Journal of Neurolinguistics & Gestalt Psychology (IJNGP) and continues to contribute to the field through books, podcasts, blogs, and research papers, sharing insights drawn from both personal practice and global teaching experiences.

Aarti Asrani is a TEDx Speaker, bestselling author, and a highly respected Law of Attraction & Consciousness Coach. She is also a certified NLP & Gestalt Master Practitioner, Psychotherapist, and Health & Wellness Consultant.
With over 24 international certifications, Aarti brings a rich and diverse foundation to her work. She has authored four impactful books and continues to inspire transformation through both her writing and her practice.
Across the globe, Aarti has helped individuals navigate and overcome a wide range of challenges be it health-related, emotional, or life circumstances. Her work has supported people overcome from issues such as stress, migraines, depression, anxiety, vertigo, addictions, fear, separation, and financial concerns and more.