Publications

A young boy sitting on a wooden bench outdoors, laughing and holding an open book, wearing a plaid shirt and a cap, with sunlight filtering through the background foliage.

At the Gestalt Institute of Ireland, we see writing and research as important ways of nurturing dialogue and contributing to the development of Gestalt psychotherapy. For now, the publications we share here come from our colleague who has been especially dedicated to research and writing over the years.

As our staff team continues to grow and evolve, so too will the range of voices and research represented here. We warmly invite you to explore these writings, offered as part of our ongoing commitment to inquiry, reflection, and learning.

Articles:

  • Desmond, B. (2024) ‘Moving-sensing-feeling bodies clamouring for contact in on-line therapy groups’, European Journal of Psychotherapy & Counselling, 26(1/2), pp. 81–99. doi:10.1080/13642537.2024.2312286.

  • Desmond, B. (2023) ‘(re)Claiming Embodied “Knowing” in Gestalt Group Therapy’, Gestalt Review, 27(1), pp. 35–55. doi:10.5325/gestaltreview.27.1.0035.

  • Desmond, B. (2019). LGBTQI in Rural Ireland: Secret lives creatively lived. Inside Out: Irish Journal of Humanistic and Integrative Psychotherapy, 18, 20–26.

  • Desmond, B. (2019) ‘Collaborative Inquiry as Research: An Exploration of Embodied Gestalt Group Supervision’, Gestalt Review, 23(1), pp. 44–66. doi:10.5325/gestaltreview.23.1.0044.

  • Desmond, B. (2018) Embodied Collaborative Inquiry: a Pragmatic Practice-Based Research Approach. The Irish Journal of Counselling and Psychotherapy. Vol. 18, No. 3, 4-9.

  • Desmond, B. (2016). Homophobia endures in our time of changing attitudes: a ‘field’ perspective. British Gestalt Journal. Vol. 25, No.2, 42–52.

  • Desmond, B. (2016). Sustainability in a Fragile Ecological Era: A Gestalt Therapist's Response. Gestalt Review. Vol.20, No.1, 33-47.

  • Desmond, B. (2014). Enhancing Facilitation of Senior Executive Groups and Boards. OD Practitioner, Vol. 45, No. 1,  26 – 33

  • Desmond, B. & Jowitt, A. (2012)  "Stepping into the unknown: dialogical experiential learning", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 31 Iss: 3, pp.221 - 230  Permanent URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/02621711211208853

  • Desmond, B. (2011) Effective Group Development: A Paradoxical Approach for Action Learning Set Facilitators. OD Practitioner, Vol. 43, No. 1, pp. 29 – 34

Book: 

  • Sills, C., Lapworth, P., & Desmond, B. (2012). Introduction to Gestalt. Sage.

Chapters:

  • Desmond, B. (2023). LGBTQIA in Rural Ireland: Lives creatively lived. In Alman, A., Gillespie, J., & Kolmannskog, V. (Eds.), Queering Gestalt Therapy (Chpt.11). Routledge.

  • Desmond, B. (2018). Soma-aesthetic group therapy: Moving bodies, changing lives. In Spagnuolo Lobb, M. et al. (Eds.), The Aesthetic of Otherness. Siracusa: Istituto di Gestalt HCC Italy.

  • Desmond, B. (2012). Spirituality in coaching. In de Haan, E., & Sills, C. (Eds.), Relational Coaching.

  • Desmond, B. (2011). Gestalt approach to working with gay persons seeking meaningful relational contact. In Bloom, D., & Brownell, P. (Eds.), Continuity and Change: Gestalt Therapy Now (pp. 261–278). Cambridge Scholars Press.

Book Reviews:

  • Desmond, B. (2022) Reviw of Kato, J.,Klaren G., Levi N. (Eds.) (2019). Supporting Human Dignity in a Collapsing Field: Gestalt Approach in the Social and Political Contexts. Siracusa: Istituto di Gestalt HCC Italy Publ. Co.. Quaderni di Gestalt, 22(2)

  • Desmond, B. (2021). Review of Body to Body Intimacy: Transformation Through Love, Sex and Neurobiology. Gestalt Review, 25(1).

  • Desmond, B. (2017). Review of Lived Wisdom: Future Sense. Gestalt Review, 20(1).

  • Desmond, B. (2014). Review of From Planned Psychotherapy to Gestalt Therapy: Essays and Lectures, 1945–1965. Gestalt Review, 18(3).