Finding Aid for the Gestalt Therapy collection

Author: Cara Gilgenbach, May 2023
Descriptive Rules: DACS, 2nd Edition

Inclusive Dates: 1966-2006
Extent: 6.33 cubic feet (8 boxes = 4 record storage boxes + 1 document case + 1 audio cassette box + 1 artifact box + 1 flat oversized box)
Physical Location:  11th floor

Scope and Content: This collection is comprised of a large number of audio recordings, most of them from the Annual Conference of the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (AAGT). Additional materials include one artifact, subject files, and a portrait and photographs of Frederick Perls, and other AAGT conference records.

Arrangement: The collection is organized into five series: AAGT Conference Records, Artifacts, Audio Recordings, Subject Files, and Oversized Materials.

Acquisition Information: The materials in this collection were donated by Ansel L. Woldt, PhD, or by others via Ansel Woldt. Woldt is currently Emeritus Professor of Adult Counseling at Kent State University.

Separated Material: Books and journals associated with the Gestalt Therapy collection are cataloged in KentLINK and are housed in the LC-classified book collection or the periodicals collections.

Related Material: The Frederick and Laura Perls Gestalt Therapy collection, of which a large portion of the Gestalt Therapy collection at Kent State University formerly was comprised, was transferred to the University of California at Santa Barbara in 2009.

Restrictions on Use: Kent State University does not own the copyright to any of the materials in this collection. Materials cannot be duplicated for use beyond personal research use without express written permission of copyright holder(s).

Detailed Description of Contents:

Series 1: AAGT Conference Records

Boxes 1-4:

1. AAGT: First Annual International Gestalt Therapy Conference, October 12-15, 1995
   Scope and Content: Program, registration form, planning workbook, and audio cassette recordings of sessions
   Extent: 80 audio cassettes
2. AAGT: Second Annual International Gestalt Therapy Conference, April 2-6, 1997
   Scope and Content: Program, syllabus, audio cassette recordings of sessions
   Extent: 92 audio cassettes; Each cassette is 90 minutes in length
3. AAGT: Third Annual International Gestalt Therapy Conference, June 3-7, 1998
   Scope and Content: Audio cassette recordings of sessions
   Extent: 78 audio cassettes
4. AAGT: Fourth Annual International Gestalt Therapy Conference, May 26-30, 1999
   Scope and Content: Audio cassette recordings of sessions
   Extent: 59 audio cassettes

Series 2: Artifacts

Box 5

1. Artifacts: Uher Tape Recorder and Accessories, undated
   Historical Note: Given to George and Judith Brown by Frederick Perls when he was staying with them.  

Series 3: Audio Recordings
Related Material: See also AAGT Conference Records series for additional recordings.

Boxes 6-7

1. Audio Recording: 1980 Conference: Keynote; Symposium, 1980
   Extent: 3 audio cassettes
2. Audio Recording: 1984 Conference: Erv Polster talk, 1984
   Extent: 1 audio cassette
3. Audio Recording: 2006 Vancouver: Victor Daniels, program planning archive, 2006
   Extent: 1 compact disc
   Physical Location: Filed in Box 7
4. Audio Recording: Carson, Richard D. Adventures in Gremlin Taming, 1987
   Extent: 3 audio cassettes
   Physical Location: Filed in Box 7
5. Audio Recording: Carson, Richard D. Taming Your Gremlin, 1991
   Extent: 6 audio cassettes
   Physical Location: Filed in Box 7
6. Audio Recording: “Coal Not Dole” / “Which Side are You On” Music for Miners' Strike, 1984-85
   Extent: 1 audio cassette
   Aquisition Note: Sent by Margaret Rosemary, Gestalt in Sheffield
7. Audio Recording: Journal Interview with M. & E. Polster, October 1978
   Extent: 2 audio cassettes
8. Audio Recording: Journal Interview with E. Shapiro, June 17, 1985
   Extent: 2 audio cassettes
9. Audio Recording: Perls, Frederick. “Gestalt Integrative,” Recorded at Esalen Institute, copyright Gestalt Journal Press, 1968
   Extent: 1 audio cassette
   Alternate Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured.
10. Audio Recording: Perls, Laura. At Esalen, undated
    Extent: 1 audio cassette
    Alternate Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured.
11. Audio Recording: Perls, Laura. “Gestalt Workshop” Recorded Live at Esalen, 1973
    Extent: 1 audio cassette
    Alternate Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured.
12. Audio Recording: Resnick, R. “Gestalt Therapy,” Psychology Today, 1978
    Extent: 1 audio cassette
13. Audio Recording: Simkin, James. “The Individual Application of Gestalt Therapy,” Original, Unedited, February 12, 1971​​
    Extent: 1 audio cassette
    Alternate Form Available: This recording has been digitally captured.
14. Audio Recording: Simkin James. “Individual Gestalt Therapy and Interview with Frederick Perls,” AAP Tape Library #19614, undated
    Extent: 1 audio cassette
15. Audio Recording: Simkin, James. Interview with Frederick Perls, Big Sur, CA, Original, Unedited, May 14, 1966
    Extent: 1 audio cassette

Series 4: Subject Files

Box 7

1. Subject File: Articles: “1993-1995 Edwin C. Nevis Prize Articles,” GICPress Monograph Series, Edited by Robert G. Lee, 1995
2. Subject File: Articles: Ronall, Ruthe and Bud Feder. “Laura as Group Leader: Remembrance and Reflections,” undated
   Scope and Content: Typescript, and a note by Feder; article appeared in Voices.
3. Subject File: Gestalt in France: 1998
   Scope and Content: Letter, book extract, and annual publication from Ecole Parisienne de Gestalt.
4. Subject File: Gestalt in Sheffield: circa 1998
   Scope and Content: Notes and one photograph from Margaret Rosemary, circa 1998. Other photographs and materials listed on one of the notes are not included in the collection.
5. Subject File: Indianapolis Gestalt Institute: circa 1998
   Scope and Content: Photographs, letter from Charlie Bowman. Most of the photos are unidentified.

Series 5: Oversized Material

Box 8

1. Oversized Material: Rendering of Frederick Perls, undated
   Physical Description: Color, reproduction, framed, believed to be from a German painting, artist unnamed.
   Acquisition Note: "Given to Ansel Woldt by his Training Therapist, Gestalt Mentors, and Friends, Drs. Sonia & Edwin Nevis."
2. Oversized Material: Photographic Portraits of Frederick Perls, undated
   Physical Description: Three photographs, black and white, framed
   Acquisition Note: "Given to Ansel Woldt by his Training Therapist, Gestalt Mentors, and Friends, Drs. Sonia & Edwin Nevis."