You have found your way to the GestaltOSD web site. This is not your typical organization web site. This website is dedicated to the journey of self discovery.

Individuals interested in self-mastery, use of self as an intervener across multiple levels of system, and making a difference with your presence will find theory, concept, method, tool and techniques to support their journey. The OSD body of knowledge is based on natural human processes that are already present within each individual and are present at every level of system. When these processes are brought into awareness within any level of system – individual, two person and group level – awareness, knowledge and skills are enhanced. Healthy interactions occur creating shifts and changes.

Gestalt Organization & Systems Development (Gestalt OSD) is a body of knowledge composed of theory, concepts, and methods created by the founders of the Gestalt OSD training programs. The Gestalt OSD body of knowledge integrated Gestalt Psychology, Systems Theory and Organizational Development Theory and applied the integrative perspective across multiple levels of systems. The first Gestalt OSD training program was offered in 1978, building upon OSD workshops that had been offered since 1974. Gestalt OSD training programs have been conducted on six continents and have been attended by CEOs, consultants, educators, judges, attorneys, accountants, managers, supervisors, coaches, public servants, among other professionals. Gestalt OSD training programs are referred to by some masters in the field as the “finishing school” for individuals serious about self-mastery as interveners in organizational contexts. The integrative perspective is a gift that keeps on giving.

A 2004 Special Issue of OD Practitioner: Journal of the Organization Development Network (vol. 36, no.4), titled “Organization Development and Gestalt: An Ongoing Partnership,” was dedicated to the OSD Center body of knowledge and GestaltOSD work within organizations. It was guest edited by John D. Carter and Mary Ann Rainey Tolbert. Further, Brenda Jones, an OSD faculty member, and Michael Brazzel, an OSD gradate, served as editors of The NTL Handbook of Organization Development and Change: Principles, Practices, and Perspectives. Many OSD graduates contributed chapters to this book.  In the most recent edition GestaltOSD was mentioned as one of the top five frames of reference for Organization Development Practitioners.

John D. Carter, president of the GestaltOSD Center, is a founder of the OSD body of knowledge, training programs and creator of many of the OSD conceptual frames of reference.  John is a Master Coach and Consultant and has worked with top leaders and top teams around the world.

The OSD Center conducted the first ICF-certified Gestalt coach training program in the world, the OSD Gestalt International Coaching Program. Six different versions of the foundational OSD training program have been offered by the OSD Center, including Ghana OSD and a five-session OSD International program that holds sessions in six different countries.

The Gestalt OSD faculty played a critical role in the creation and innovative application of many of the theories, concepts, and methods used by change agents, coaches and consultants in the field of applied behavioral science in their intervention work in organizations.

Our compelling picture is the transformation of humankind accomplished by each individual becoming more adept at making contact with oneself and with the environment in ways that support individual, group and universal harmony.

The life story John D. Carter one of the original founders will be made available as well as the Gestalt Institute of Cleveland History from 1954 to 1964. The OSD Center History is presented from the perspective of “Ties to the past, Eyes on the future”.

Our hope is that you will join our thousands of GestaltOSD training and development program graduates, our workshop participants, and our faculty in letting others know about the availability of this body of knowledge and that it is easily accessible and available for personal use.

A theme or focus of the John D Carter story and the GestaltOSD story will be undoing lies. Therapy, consulting and coaching have all been described as the process of undoing lies. In other words the focus can be described as figuring out how to engage with one’s self and with the external environment in a manner that one’s self esteem and self worth are enhanced rather than diminished. Essential to this process is discriminating fact from fiction and reducing the degree to which our perception of reality no longer serves us well in creating desired outcomes.