GISC

What GISC does

Gestalt International Study Center (GISC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization founded in 1977 by Dr. Sonia March Nevis and Dr. Edwin C. Nevis, headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts with a primary training facility in South Wellfleet (Cape Cod). The organization provides advanced professional training in coaching, leadership development, organizational consulting, and psychotherapy, with all programs built on its proprietary trademarked Cape Cod Model© methodology derived from Gestalt psychology principles. Core products include the ICF Level 2 Accredited Competency Development Program for Coach Certification ($13,500), the Cape Cod Training Program ($6,750), Mastering Executive Leadership ($11,500), and an array of shorter workshops and certifications ranging from $495 to $3,295, delivered in in-person, live-online, and blended learning formats.

GISC serves five primary customer segments: professional coaches seeking certification and ICF credentials; licensed psychotherapists and mental health professionals; organizational development consultants; business and organizational leaders; and individuals seeking personal development. Enterprise clients such as Applegate Farms and Legacy Publishing Company engage through Custom Programs for Organizations, which deliver bespoke training, coaching, and consulting engagements. The center also maintains an annual $125 membership program providing tuition discounts, Gestalt Review journal access, and community engagement.

Revenue is generated through one-time tuition for professional training and certification programs, recurring membership subscriptions, and custom corporate professional services engagements. The organization employs 101-250 staff and faculty, operates under the leadership of President & CEO Laurie Fitzpatrick (with the organization since 2008), and is governed by a Board of Directors chaired by Roderick Allen. GISC holds ICF Level 2 Accreditation as the only ICF Accredited Coach Training Program in Massachusetts, and programs carry continuing education approvals from NASW-MA, MaMHCA, and APA.

Name

GISC

Legal name

Gestalt International Study Center

Website

https://gisc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Gestalt International Study Center (GISC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization providing ICF-accredited coach certification, leadership development, organizational consulting, and psychotherapy training built on its proprietary Cape Cod Model© methodology for practitioners and leaders worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Development and Executive Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Educational Support Services (61171)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Management Consulting Services (8742), Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Delivery & Execution (Planning, Estimation, Tracking) (EDABAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD)

Keywords

• Professional coaching certification
• Leadership development training
• Organizational consulting services
• Gestalt therapy training
• Executive education programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training Programs: Revenue from instructor-led training programs including the Cape Cod Training Program ($6,750), Competency Development Program for Coach Certification ($13,500), Coaching Teams ($3,295), Mastering Executive Leadership ($11,500), and numerous shorter workshops and seminars at various price points ranging from $495 to $2,700.
2. Coach Certification: Fees for comprehensive certification programs including the Competency Development Program for Coach Certification and Advanced Coaching Certification. Includes application fees ($250 non-refundable) and tuition with early-bird discounts available.
3. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership at $125 providing tuition discounts (typically $50 off programs), complimentary Gestalt Review subscription (print and online), and 10% bookstore discounts. Auto-renewal option available.
4. Custom Corporate Programs: Bespoke training, coaching, and consulting engagements designed for specific organizational clients, delivered on-site or at GISC locations. Revenue derived from long-term institutional relationships with corporations, nonprofits, and government agencies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

GISC delivers advanced professional training, certifications, and consulting in coaching, leadership development, organizational consulting, and Gestalt therapy, built on its proprietary Cape Cod Model© methodology. Programs include ICF Level 2 Accredited coach training, leadership curricula for executives and managers, organizational development certification, and continuing education for mental health professionals, delivered through in-person residencies, live-online cohorts, blended learning, and bespoke corporate engagements.

Product overview

GISC (Gestalt International Study Center) is a nonprofit educational organization offering advanced professional training programs centered around its proprietary Cape Cod Model© methodology. The portfolio includes ICF-accredited coach certification programs (A Competency Development Program for Coach Certification and GISC Advanced Coaching Certification), leadership development programs (Leading Self, Essentials of Leadership, Mastering Executive Leadership, and GISC Leadership Series), therapist training (Cape Cod Training Program with advanced third-week offerings), consultant programs (Foundations of Gestalt Facilitation, Advanced Professional Development), and personal development offerings (The Humility Project, Highly Sensitive). The Cape Cod Model© serves as the foundational methodology underlying all programs, providing a framework for perceiving and expanding competence. Programs are delivered in-person at locations including Boston, MA and Wellfleet, MA, as well as via live-online and blended learning formats. GISC also offers Custom Programs for Organizations and a Membership program providing access to Gestalt Review, program discounts, and community resources.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cape Cod Model: A distinctive approach to living and working developed at GISC, based on Gestalt principles. The model underlies and informs all GISC training programs.

Products and services

• A Competency Development Program for Coach Certification (CDPCC) ICF Level 2 Accredited coach training program combining theory, discussion, and extensive coaching practice across multiple sessions; available in in-person (Boston) and live-online formats. Graduates earn the GISC Coach Certificate and qualify for ICF credentials.
• Cape Cod Training Program (CCTP) Core intensive two-week training in the Cape Cod Model© for developing presence, insight, and skills for high-impact interventions with dyads, small groups, and work teams; ICF certified for 69 CCE hours.
• GISC Advanced Coaching Certification Advanced certification program for experienced coaches expanding their ability to work with clients through thought-provoking, creative, and optimistic processes; includes four required advanced programs plus prerequisite core training.
• Executive Coaching and Personality Dynamics Intensive program focusing on executive coaching and individual personality theory and assessment, exploring different temperaments, characteristics, and personality types including narcissism, perfectionism, control, anger, and burnout; incorporates the Individual Directions Inventory (IDI) assessment.
• Mastering Executive Leadership Hybrid program for senior leaders creating thriving futures for themselves and their organizations; includes comprehensive 360 assessment, three 3-day sessions (first and last in-person in Boston, middle session live-online), and one-on-one executive coaching between sessions.
• Leading Self: Blended Learning Gestalt foundations program integrating self-paced online video lessons with live-online group meetings and individual coaching; uses the 5Dynamics energy model and teaches core concepts including awareness, optimism, presence, and cycle of experience.
• GISC Leadership Series Series for mid-level leaders including Courage and Change, Relational Intelligence, Inclusive Leadership, and Cultivating Resilience; programs may be taken individually and focus on authentic leadership presence and use of self.
• Essentials of Leadership: Leading Others Program for managers of individual contributors, emerging leaders, and those managing others for the first time; emphasizes strengths-based coaching, personal presence, and communication skills.
• Foundations of Gestalt Facilitation Experiential program teaching group facilitation skills for in-person and remote meetings; covers Gestalt orientation to facilitation including the four roles of the Gestalt Facilitator.
• Coaching Teams Training and practice in team coaching applications of the Cape Cod Model©; includes practice working with real-life visiting client teams with feedback from master facilitators; ICF certified for 32 core competency hours.
• Applying the Cape Cod Model to Coaching Program focusing on coaching applications of the Cape Cod Model© for working one-on-one with clients; designed for both clinically and organizationally trained individuals working as or considering a coaching practice; ICF certified for 18 core competency and 7 resource development hours.
• CCTP Third Week Advanced training for CCTP graduates designed to deepen understanding and practice of the Cape Cod Model©; introduces new theory and concepts while providing extensive practice opportunities under faculty guidance.
• Advanced Professional Development Advanced supervision group held on Monhegan Island, Maine for psychotherapists, coaches, consultants, HR professionals, managers, and leaders accountable for supporting others' growth and development.
• Custom Programs for Organizations Customized training, coaching, and consulting programs designed around unique organizational characteristics; includes Leading Self, Essentials of Leadership, team programs, and inclusive leadership delivered intact to intact teams.
• GISC Membership Annual membership at $125 USD offering discounted tuition to most programs, complimentary Gestalt Review subscription (print + online), 10% bookstore discounts, and access to the global learning community; auto-renewal available.
• Gestalt Review Academic Journal Academic journal published by GISC for decades, available to members as part of membership; features 30 volumes covering Gestalt theory and practice.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 100 coaches graduated from ICF Accredited Coach Training Program
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Coaches Training Institute (CTI): One of the largest ICF-accredited coach training schools globally, offering foundational and advanced coach certification. Directly comparable to GISC's Competency Development Program in serving aspiring professional coaches pursuing ICF credentials.
• Center for Creative Leadership (CCL): Premier global leadership development institution offering executive leadership programs, coaching, and custom organizational solutions. Highly comparable to GISC's Mastering Executive Leadership and Custom Programs for Organizations in target buyer and program architecture.
• Newfield Network: ICF-accredited coach training and organizational learning program founded on ontological coaching principles. Comparable to GISC in offering ICF-accredited certification plus leadership/OD practitioner development for the same coach and consultant buyer.
• iPEC Coaching: ICF-accredited coach training school offering foundational and master coach certifications with energy leadership framework. Comparable in target customer (aspiring and experienced coaches) and ICF-aligned credentialing pathway.
• Marshall Goldsmith Stakeholder Centered Coaching: Executive coaching certification program focused on stakeholder-centered coaching methodology for leaders. Comparable to GISC's executive coaching track in serving experienced coaches and corporate leadership buyers.
• Columbia Coaching Certification Program (Columbia University): University-based ICF-accredited coach training program offered through Columbia's executive education. Comparable to GISC's Competency Development Program in delivering ICF-level coach certification to professional and executive coaches.
• Fielding Graduate University: Graduate school offering doctoral and certificate programs in organizational development and leadership with coaching concentrations. Comparable to GISC in offering practitioner-level credentialing for coaches, consultants, and OD professionals.
• Gestalt Therapy Training Institute / Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles (GATLA): Long-running Gestalt therapy and organization development training institute grounded in the same Gestalt tradition as GISC. Comparable in offering practitioner certification and clinical/OD training using Gestalt methodology.

Others

• International Coach Federation (ICF): The global industry association that sets credentialing standards for professional coaches and accredits training programs like GISC's Competency Development Program. Not a competitor but the umbrella ecosystem within which GISC competes.

Broad incumbents

• Korn Ferry (Korn Ferry Leadership Development): Large global organizational consulting and leadership development firm offering executive coaching, assessment, and custom development programs. Comparable to GISC's Custom Programs for Organizations and Mastering Executive Leadership in serving enterprise buyers, though at much larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/gestaltintl

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about GISC