Integrative Gestalttherapie

What Integrative Gestalttherapie does

Integrative Gestalttherapie Würzburg (IGW) is a private non-profit (gGmbH) Gestalt therapy training institute founded in 1976 in Würzburg, Bavaria, and is one of the oldest and largest Gestalt institutes in Europe. The institute delivers multi-year, part-time professional training programs (2-year 'Der Gestalt-Ansatz' continuing education, 3-year Gestalt-oriented counseling, 4-year Gestalt therapy, and 4-year Clinical Gestalt therapy) culminating in credentials recognized by the Deutsche Vereinigung für Gestalttherapie (DVG) and qualifying for chamber-certified Fortbildungspunkte for psychological psychotherapists and physicians in Germany. Its core product portfolio is extended through the GestaltAkademie (weekend seminars and continuing education series on specialized topics), Kompakttraining intensive residential programs at Bildungshaus St. Arbogast in Austria, and a published book series with EHP-Verlag Andreas Kohlhage.

IGW generates revenue primarily through tuition for multi-year training programs and per-seminar fees for GestaltAkademie events, with an entry funnel consisting of €180 paid information and selection seminars. The organization targets psychosocial professionals (psychologists, psychotherapists, medical doctors, counselors, social workers, educators) seeking accredited certification or continuing education credits. Distribution is direct: prospects attend free online info evenings, register for selection seminars via the website, and enroll in weekend-based berufsbegleitend (part-time) cohorts in Würzburg, Munich, and Augsburg.

The institute operates through a federation of sister institutes in Austria (IGWien, Vienna), Switzerland (igw Schweiz, Zürich), and Italy (GestaltAkademie Suedtirol, Bozen), plus international training partnerships in China (Nanda University Nanjing since 2008, University Fuzhou since 2010), Bolivia (University of La Paz), Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. The Swiss, Austrian, and Italian sister entities hold local professional body recognition (BAG, FSP, SGPP, SGfB, AssoCounseling, PthG §10), enabling federated credentialing across multiple regulatory regimes. The institute is owned by four shareholders (Gabriela Frischknecht, Werner Gill, Brigitte Rasmus, Peter Toebe) with Werner Gill serving as Managing Director since the mid-1990s, and is governed by an advisory board including internationally recognized Gestalt therapy figures.

Name

Integrative Gestalttherapie

Legal name

IGW Institut für Integrative Gestalttherapie Würzburg private gemeinnützige Gesellschaft m.b.H.

Website

https://igw-gestalttherapie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

IGW is a private non-profit Gestalt therapy training institute founded in 1976 in Würzburg, Germany, offering accredited multi-year training, weekend seminars, and compact intensives to psychosocial professionals across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, and partner countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Würzburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Professional Training and Education Programs: Multi-year part-time professional training programs in Gestalt therapy, Gestalt counseling, and clinical Gestalt therapy. Programs run 2-4 years, berufsbegleitend (part-time alongside employment), structured around weekend seminars distributed throughout the year.
2. GestaltAkademie Seminars and Workshops: Weekend seminars and continuing education series on specialized topics (emotions, clinical themes) open to both training participants and external professionals. Generates fee income per seminar/fortbildung.
3. Compact Training (Intensive Immersion): Two-week or one-week intensive residential training programs held at Bildungshaus St. Arbogast in Götzis, Austria. Participants pay for tuition plus accommodation and full board at the venue.
4. Book Series Publication: Co-publishing arrangement with EHP-Verlag Andreas Kohlhage for the IGW book series. Books are sold directly through the website for 22-32 EUR each.
5. Information and Selection Seminars: Charged introductory/selection seminars at 180 EUR per participant, serving as a gateway and sales funnel for subsequent multi-year training enrollments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IGW is a non-profit training institute that delivers part-time, multi-year professional training and continuing education programs in Integrative Gestalt therapy. It offers 2-year, 3-year, and 4-year training tracks leading to DVG-certified credentials (Gestaltberater, Gestalttherapeut, Klinischer Gestalttherapeut), alongside intensive compact trainings (Kompakttraining) at Bildungshaus St. Arbogast and weekend seminar series (GestaltAkademie) for psychosocial professionals across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, South Tyrol, China, Bolivia, and Croatia/Balkans.

Product overview

IGW (Institut für Integrative Gestalttherapie Würzburg) is one of the oldest and largest Gestalt therapy institutes in Europe. The organization offers a comprehensive portfolio of professional training and continuing education programs in Gestalt therapy, delivered through multiple formats: multi-year professional development programs (2-year, 3-year, and 4-year training tracks), the GestaltAkademie (weekend seminars and focused continuing education series), intensive Kompakttraining programs, and clinical seminars. The institute also publishes its own book series (IGW Buchreihe) through EHP-Verlag and maintains international operations through sister institutes in Switzerland (igw Schweiz), Austria (IGWien), South Tyrol, China, Bolivia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Programs are conducted primarily in German-speaking regions with offerings also available internationally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• IGW GestaltAkademie: Supplementary weekend seminars and continuing education series on specific topics, including clinical seminars, continuing education, and conferences.

Products and services

• Fortbildung 2 Jahre - Der Gestalt-Ansatz A 2-year part-time continuing education program providing foundational training in the Gestalt approach. Psychological psychotherapists and physicians earn Fortbildungspunkte per German licensing regulations.
• Ausbildung 3 Jahre - Gestaltorientierte Beratung A 3-year part-time training program with focus on Gestalt-oriented counseling, culminating in the credential 'Gestaltberater/Gestaltberaterin (DVG)'.
• Ausbildung 4 Jahre - Gestalttherapie A 4-year part-time training program focused on Gestalt therapy, culminating in the credential 'Gestalttherapeut/Gestalttherapeutin (DVG)'.
• Ausbildung 4 Jahre - Klinische Gestalttherapie A 4-year part-time training program focused on clinical Gestalt therapy, culminating in the credential 'Klinischer Gestalttherapeut/Klinische Gestalttherapeutin (DVG)'.
• Kompakttraining One- or two-week intensive residential training in Integrative Gestalt Therapy, held at Bildungshaus St. Arbogast in Götzis, Austria, recognized by the Bavarian State Chamber of Psychotherapists.
• GestaltAkademie Weekend seminars and continuing education series on specialized Gestalt therapy topics, open to training participants and external professionals.
• Klinische Seminare Clinical seminars on specialized topics including psychosomatics, trauma, somatoform disorders, sexuality, addiction, and depression. Creditable as Wahlpflichtseminare within training programs.
• Fortbildungsreihe Gefühle A continuing education series focused on emotions, with each weekend dedicated to exploring a specific feeling through experiential and therapeutic approaches.
• Informations- und Auswahlseminar Paid introductory and selection seminars where prospective participants learn about training programs, meet trainers, and experience Gestalt methodology through exercises. Mandatory first step before enrollment.
• IGW Buchreihe A book series on Gestalt therapy practice, spirituality, trauma, children and adolescents, and institute history, co-published with EHP-Verlag Andreas Kohlhage and sold directly via the IGW website.
• igw Schweiz Training Programs Swiss sister institute offerings: 4-year Clinical Gestalt Therapy training (BAG-accredited), 3-year Gestalt Counseling training (SGfB-recognized), and 2-year Fortbildung 'Der Gestalt-Ansatz', delivered in Zürich.
• IGWien Training Programs Austrian sister institute offerings: 5-year training in Integrative Gestalt Therapy (PthG §10 Abs. 2, qualifying for the Austrian ministerial therapist list), and 2-year continuing education in Gestalt Therapy with children and adolescents, delivered in Vienna.

Quantifiable outcome

• Meta-analytic studies demonstrate Gestalt therapy effectiveness comparable to behavioral therapy, psychoanalysis, client-centered therapy, and systemic therapy, qualifying it as one of the best-researched psychotherapy approaches.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.

• University Fuzhou, ChinamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2010Since 2010, IGW has cooperated with the University of Fuzhou in China, offering a 2-year continuing education program. This training is recognized by the Chinese Society for Psychotherapy (Peking).
• Nanda University Nanjing (Nanjing Daxue)majorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Since 2008, IGW has cooperated with Nanda University Nanjing in China, offering a 2-year continuing education program in China. This training is recognized by the Chinese Society for Psychotherapy (Peking).
• Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität (SFU) ViennamajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2008Since summer semester 2008, IGWien cooperates with SFU Vienna, enabling students to simultaneously complete the IGWien Fachspezifikum alongside their master's studies in Psychotherapy Science. Also offers lateral entry for IGW/DVG graduates into the SFU Psychotherapy Science program.
• IGWien (Institut für Integrative Gestalttherapie Wien)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister institute in Vienna, Austria. Offers a 5-year training in Integrative Gestalt Therapy within the Austrian psychotherapist professional specification (PthG §10). Since 2007, also conducts a 2-year continuing education curriculum in Integrative Gestalt Therapy with children and adolescents. Since 2008, cooperates with Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität (SFU) Vienna, allowing students to simultaneously complete the IGWien Fachspezifikum with the master's program in Psychotherapy Science.
• igw SchweizcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister institute in Switzerland. Offers 4-year Clinical Gestalt Therapy training accredited by the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (BAG) and recognized by FSP (Föderation Schweizer Psychologinnen und Psychologen) and SGPP (Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie). Also offers 3-year Gestalt Counseling training recognized by SGfB, leading to the 'Berater*in SGfB' title. Since 2012, separate legal entity under IGW management.
• GestaltAkademie SüdtirolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister institute in South Tyrol, Italy. The 3-year continuing education program in 'Gestaltorientierte Beratung' (Gestalt-oriented Counseling) is recognized by the Italian professional association AssoCounseling, conforming to Italian guidelines (title: Professional Counselor). Contact: Georg Pernter.
• University of La Paz, Bolivia / Fundación Boliviana de Psicoterapia GestalticamajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPostgraduate training in Gestalt therapeutic trauma therapy conducted in cooperation with the University of La Paz, Bolivia. Contact: Daisy Magali Decker Lozano, Dipl. Psych. Focus on traumatic experiences and resources in Bolivia.
• Centar IGW Zagreb (Croatia)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIGW-established Gestalt therapy training in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Montenegro. Originally founded by IGW trainers; now continued by former graduates. Regular training groups start based on IGW standards. Contact: Velimir Dugandžić, Ulica Baruna Trenka 1, 10000 Zagreb.
• Föderation Schweizer Psychologinnen und Psychologen (FSP)majorOthersSwiss federation of psychologists. The igw Schweiz training programs correspond to FSP continuing education guidelines.
• Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie (SGPP)majorOthersSwiss Society for Psychiatry and Psychotherapy. The igw Schweiz clinical training programs correspond to SGPP continuing education guidelines and qualify for SGPP credits.
• Schweizerische Gesellschaft für Beratung (SGfB)majorOthersSwiss Society for Counseling. The igw Schweiz 3-year Gestalt Counseling training is recognized by SGfB, enabling graduates to obtain the 'Berater*in SGfB' professional title.
• AssoCounseling (Italy)majorOthersItalian professional counseling association. The GestaltAkademie Südtirol 3-year program in 'Gestaltorientierte Beratung' is recognized by AssoCounseling and meets Italian guidelines (title: Professional Counselor).
• EHP-Verlag Andreas KohlhagemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPublishing partnership for the IGW book series. IGW, IGWien, and igw Schweiz jointly publish books with EHP-Verlag. The series covers Gestalt therapy, child/youth therapy, trauma, psychopathology, and professional practice. Books are sold through the IGW website and distributed by the publisher.
• Bildungshaus St. ArbogastminorOthersTraining venue for the annual Kompakttraining (compact intensive training). Located at Montfortstraße 88, 6840 Götzis, Austria (near Bregenz, Vorarlberg), on the edge of a nature reserve above the Rhine Valley. Provides accommodation (single, double, multi-bed rooms) and full board for residential training programs.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy: Long-running New York-based Gestalt therapy training institute providing clinical certification programs, supervision, and workshops for psychotherapists. Closely comparable to IGW as a specialized Gestalt training provider serving licensed mental health professionals.
• Metanoia Institute: UK-based institute offering accredited professional doctorates and training in psychotherapy and counseling, including Gestalt modalities. Comparable to IGW in providing long-cycle, accredited professional training for psychotherapists and counselors in the European context.
• Gestalt Institute of Cleveland: One of the longest-established Gestalt therapy training institutes in the United States, offering clinical training, certification, and continuing education for mental health professionals. Directly comparable to IGW in mission, methodology, and target audience of psychosocial practitioners seeking Gestalt credentials.
• Gestalt Institute of the Rockies: Colorado-based Gestalt therapy training institute offering multi-year certification programs, clinical intensives, and continuing education. Comparable to IGW in offering structured professional Gestalt training with similar cohort-based, supervisor-led curriculum.

Broad incumbents

• Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust: Major NHS-affiliated UK institution providing postgraduate training, clinical services, and continuing education across multiple psychotherapy modalities. A broader incumbent than IGW, but comparable as a long-established provider of accredited psychotherapy training for mental health professionals.
• DGPT – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Psychoanalyse und Psychotherapie: Leading German umbrella organization for psychoanalytic and psychodynamic training institutes. Competes with IGW for German psychosocial professionals seeking certified psychotherapy credentials, though focused on psychoanalytic rather than Gestalt methodology.
• Sigmund Freud PrivatUniversität: Austrian private university offering master's and doctoral programs in Psychotherapy Science and psychology. It is both a partner of IGWien (enabling dual credentialing) and a broader incumbent that competes with IGW's multi-year training for the same student pool seeking accredited psychotherapy credentials.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/IGW-Institut-f%C3%BCr-Integrative-Gestalttherapie
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/integrative-gestalttherapie

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Integrative Gestalttherapie