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An introduction is presented in which the editor discusses various reports within the issue that includes involvement of Gestalt therapy in modification of creativity; presence of racial diversity in the U.S.; and promotion of social inclusion approaches.

In the year 2000, stepfamilies became the majority group of families in the USA. Australia is following a similar trajectory. Australian estimates suggest 40% of all women and 30% of all children will spend a part of their life in a stepfamily (Amato, 2000; Howden, 2007; Teachman & Tedrow, 2008) and that 65% of re-marriages occur with at least one party having children from a previous union (Cartwright, Farnsworth, & Mobley, 2009; Howden, 2007). Gestalt field principles are a powerful tool for working with stepfamily situations. They extend the family systems approach by incorporating both the bounded family system as well as the field based forces impacting the stepfamily's processes (Fairfield, 2004; Zinker, 1994). Consequently, Gestalt field concepts better accommodate the greater complexity of stepfamilies by enabling investigation of multiple processes working simultaneously upon members (Fairfield, 2004; Melnick, 1980; Zinker, 1994). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An interview with clinical psychologist Philip Brownell, a certified Gestalt therapist by the European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT) is presented. When asked about what made him interested in Gestalt therapy, he refers to his job at the Oakland Naval Hospital. He comments on his discussion group, Gstalt-L. He also comments on his working at the Benedict Associates Centre which is an employee assistance program (EAP).

I am compelled to add my voice to the many others (e.g., Gold and Zahm, 2008; Brownell and Melnick, 2008; Greenberg, 2008), who have called for more attention to research in Gestalt therapy. For the past 10 years, I have had the good fortune to be involved in training, supervising, and mentoring the research of doctoral psychology students at Pacific University (Portland, Oregon), some of whom represent the next generation of Gestalt practitioners. The situation at Pacific is rare, if not unique (in the USA). The purpose of this article is to describe the program at Pacific, and to make the case that Gestalt therapy training and research can still take place within academic institutions and not be left solely to be carried on by Gestalt therapy training institutes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the interview of Laura Perls, one of the pioneers of Gestalt therapy. The article focuses on the interplay between her personal and professional life and about her opinions of Gestalt therapy today. Laura provides a definite contrast to the magic of New York City she inhabits. The article discusses at length the marked differences between the social Laura and the Laura at home. Her history, her journey throughout and finally her starting point of professional life is further discussed. Her married life with Fritz Perls, a person who was so apart from her, is presented. The interviewer catches her views regarding the training of the therapists, the difference between previous students and today's, and the valuable attributes in a therapist. Finally she commented on Gestalt therapy in detail and the status of professional women in United States and in general. Looking at Laura's life and considering the challenges she has faced, the hardships she has endured, it is an inspiration to all the women in the world who want to achieve some heights for themselves.

Evaluates various types of attitude changes that occurred among counselling students at the University of Arizona in Tucson involved in a person-centered gestalt training group. Use of semantic differential to evaluate effects of the group; Rate of potency scales of the semantic differential concepts and gestalt therapy.