Rivka Yael Mirsky

I began studying Gestalt therapy out of a deeply personal motivation — I wanted to influence my own fate. For a long time, I lived with a persistent sense of displacement — as if I were in the wrong place, surrounded by the wrong people, and living in the wrong time. This experience was deeply unsettling. I longed to find that point in life where three essential elements come together: the right place, the right people, and the right time. I yearned to feel that I was truly where I belonged — even though I wasn’t yet sure where that was. I dreamed of finding “my” people, and at times I feared I might never meet them. I longed to inhabit my own time — not to feel that I was late, or early, or endlessly waiting for something to finally begin, but to feel fully present in my life, here and now. My connection with the world of Gestalt began in childhood — not so much through theory, but through the presence of Gestalt therapists and the atmosphere they created. The conscious choice to immerse myself in this field, however, came much later. By then, I had already completed my first degree in economics. And so I came — or rather, returned — to the familiar yet newly resonant space of Gestalt therapy. That moment marked the beginning of my professional path. Choosing to become a Gestalt therapist was not an obvious or immediate decision. The desire emerged gradually. I had to walk a significant inner and outer journey before I could consciously and wholeheartedly choose Gestalt as my vocation. And once I was able to truly see the profound impact Gestalt therapy had on my own life — when I found myself in the right place, with the right people, at the right time — and recognized the, quite literally, transformative changes I had undergone, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and reverence for the process that Gestalt therapy makes possible. It was then that I clearly understood: I want to devote my life to the practice of Gestalt therapy — to help others become the protagonists of their own lives, to support them in discovering their inherent worth, and to accompany them as they reconnect with their authentic being.

Higher public education

2010-2014 – National Mining University, Faculty of Management, manager of enterprises, institutions, organizations and their divisions.

2014-2017 – Interregional Academy of Personnel Management, Faculty of Psychology, practical psychologist.

Basic training programs for therapists.

2012-2013 – Interregional Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Art (MIGIS), “Theory and Practice of Gestalt Therapy” (1 stage). Program led by Hrechka V.

2014-2017 – Interregional Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Art (MIGIS), “Theory and Practice of Gestalt Therapy” (2 stage). Program led by Hrechka V. Certificate № II-ДН-0212-01.

2016-2020 – Interregional Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Art (MIGIS), “Improvement in Gestalt Therapy” (3 Stage). Program led by Hrechka V. Certificate № III-ДН-0116-01.

2022 - 2025 - Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Family Psychotherapy, postgraduate program “Now for the Future”.

Specialized training of therapists

2013-2014 – Interregional Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Art (MIGIS), “Psychotherapeutic NLP – Interventions in Gestalt Therapy”. Program led by V. M. Promyslovsky. Certificate № НЛП-ДН-0113-2.

2014-2015 – Interregional Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Art (MIGIS), Systemic Family Therapy. Program led by M. B. Stepanova, O. S. Kirillova. Certificate № ССТ-ДН-0214-3.

2015-2016 – Interregional Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Art (MIGIS), “Interventions in Gestalt Therapy. NLP with a human face. Program led by Promyslovsky V. M. Certificate № НЛП-ДН-0115-4.

2016-2017 - Interregional Institute of Gestalt Therapy and Art (MIGIS), "Integrative Group Psychotherapy". Program led by Hrechka V. Certificate № ИГТ-ДН-0116-09.

Professional trainings, seminars, courses, etc.

17-19.10.2014 – Seminar by Michael Vincent Miller (USA), “No and yes in love”.

27-29.03.2015 – Seminar Lenny Ravich (Israel), “Playfulness, wit, creativity and humor in Gestalt therapy”.

16-18.10.2023 - Seminar by Giovanni Salonia “The Moon is Made of Cheese”.

Community memberships

since 2025 - Full member of the European Association of Gestalt Therapy

Lectures by foreign coaches

20.04.2020 – Lecture “Basic principles of the Gestalt approach in working with organizations” by Franz Melmeister

22.04.2020 – Lecture “Self Theory: rethinking and critical Application” by Giovanni Salonia

27.04.2020 – Lecture “The paradoxical theory of change” by Ioann Rizu

29.04.2020 – Lecture “Mania, hypomania and everyday options (with hints at the times of the coronavirus)” by Michela Gecele

30.04.2020 – Lecture “Family Gestalt Therapy: theoretical picture and clinical application” by Giovanni Salonia

04.05.2020 – Lecture “Psychology of money and Gestalt coaching in dealing with requests for self-realization in the context of professional activity” by Franz Melmeister, Ioanna Rizu, Evtushok Tatiana

06.05.2020 – Lecture “Obsessive experiences in postmodern times: social meaning, directions, shadows of trust and joy” by Michela Gecele

07.05.2020 – Lecture “Middle pledge and atmosphere of the middle pledge in Gestalt Therapy” by Giovanni Salonia, Vadym Hrechka, Tatiana Yevtushok

13.05.2020 – Lecture “Crime stories or thriller? Study of psychological incentives, addiction risks, social effects in literature and cinema” by Michela Dzhechele, Vadym Hrechka

14.05.2020 – Lecture “The concept of will and its trace in Gestalt therapy. Topical issues of the flow of volitional processes in quarantine” by Bertram Müller, Zakharyan Irina

19.05.2020 – Lecture “Weaving the Fabric of Community: Unfolding the Relational Self of Gestalt Therapy” by Dan Bloom

20.05.2020 – Lecture “How to deal with relationships in narcissistic times. What can we learn from films?” by Michela Dzhechele, Vadym hrechka

26.05. 2020 – Lecture “From the Night Before Genesis: Contacting the Other” by Dan Bloom

28.05.2020 – Lecture “Me and Us, Me or Us, Me and Us: The Ark of Proximity” by Michael Miller

02.06.2020 –  Lecture “Through Dawn to Night: Contacting the Other” by Dan Bloom

04.06.2020 – Lecture “Contact and reflexivity: a new theory of Self in Gestalt therapy” by Michael Miller

08.06.2020 – Lecture “Gestalt therapy in work with personality disorders. Style.” by John Edward Lynch

11.06.2020 – Lecture “Poetry and Gestalt Therapy” by Michael Miller, Vadym Hrechka

15.06.2020 – Lecture “Gestalt therapy in work with personality disorders. Traits and Pathology” by John Edward Lynch

26.11.2020 – Lecture “Two Forces Therapy” by Peter Philippson

03.12.2020 – Lecture “Sexuality: drive and relationship” by Peter Philippson

10.12.2020 – Lecture “Tyranny of the Senses” by Peter Philippson

21.01.2021 – Lecture “On Gestalt, Humor and Laughter” by Lenny Ravich

10.02.2021 – Lecture “Personal disorders in times of pandemic” by Michela Gechele

29.03.2021 - Lecture “Atmospheres, fields and clinical practice” by Gianni Francesetti

29.04.2021 – Lecture “Contact is not a relationship, because Self does not remain calm” by Michael Miller

25.11.2021 – Lecture series “Anxiety, shame, guilt: from burden to creative energy”. Lecture 1. “The Theory of Self and its possibilities in dealing with anxiety, guilt, shame: A Theoretical Basis” by Bertram Müller

01.12.2021 – Lecture series “Anxiety, shame, guilt: from burden to creative energy”. Lecture 2. “Anxiety: from Z. Freud and O. Rank to the latest achievements of neuroscience and psychotherapy” by Bertram Müller

09.12.2021 – Lecture series "Anxiety, shame, guilt: from burden to creative energy". Lecture 3. "Guilt in the concept of will: practical application in psychotherapeutic practice" by Bertram Müller

16.12.2021 – Lecture series "Anxiety, shame, guilt: from burden to creative energy". Lecture 4. "Shame and identity in new experience: from intolerance of being to life's resources" by Bertram Müller

24.01.2022 – Lecture "Hope – sustenance the life of relationship" by Alfried Lenglet

27.01.2022 – Lecture "How Existential Analysis and Logotherapy work" by Alfried Lenglet

10.02.2022 – Lecture "Basic models of relations" by Giovanni Salonia

17.02.2022 – Lecture "The Theory of Self" by Giovanni Salonia

03.03.2022 – Lecture "Evolutionary Theory" by Giovanni Salonia

10.02.2022 – Lecture “Family Gestalt Therapy” by Giovanni Salonia

02.03.2022 – Lecture “Conducting groups of psychological support. Lesson 1” by Irena Goluba

03.03.2022 – Lecture “Trauma. Crisis. War” by Giovanni Salonia

04.03.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Lesson 1” by Ruella Frank

06.03.2022 – Lecture “Crisis Support” by Artur Dombrovsky

06.03.2022 – Lecture “Conducting groups of psychological support. Lesson 2” by Irena Goluba

07.03.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Lesson 2” by Ruella Frank

09.03.2022 – Lecture “Individual history and culture as a support during the war and other non-obvious resources” by Gustav Elmberger

11.03.2022 – Lecture “Working with parents as a focus of crisis support” by Artur Dombrovsky

14.03.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Lesson 3” by Ruella Frank

15.03.2022 – Lecture “Working with Guilt as a Focus of Therapy in Wartime” by Artur Dombrovsky

18.03.2022 – Lecture “How to help yourself – using the body and its skills to create stability and resilience in a humanitarian crisis and war. Lesson 1” by Judy Berman Zeligson

19.03.2022 – Lecture “Do you love a malingerer?” by Iosif Zislin

21.03.2022 – Lecture “What is the content of tests?” by Galiya Kostinskaya

22.03.2022 – Lecture “Issues of adaptation and psychotherapeutic work with them” by Artur Dombrovsky

23.03.2022 – Lecture “Therapist’s self-support resources in a difficult and painful field” by Jan Rubal

24.03.2022 – Lecture “Working with trauma according to the Jim Kapner model” by Brigita Kaleckaite

25.03.2022 – Lecture “Meaning and hope in wartime” by Alfrid Langley

28.03.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Lesson 4” by Ruella Frank

29.03.2022 – Lecture “Me and freedom of choice: awareness in a stressful situation” by Artur Dombrovsky

30.03.2022 – Webinar lecture “How to help yourself – using the body and its skills to create stability and resilience in a humanitarian crisis and war. Lesson 2” by Judy Berman Zeligson

31.03.2 022 – Lecture “Creative adjustment in time of war” by Bertram Müller

03.04. 2022 – Lecture “Psychopathology of war, its features and resources” by Georgy Smolin

05.04.2022 – Lecture “How to survive the pain, fear and despair without freezing yourself?” by Franz Melmeister

06.04.2022 – Lecture “Psychotherapy of the injured and traumatized vs psychotherapy of the mobilized and warring” by Irena Goluba

08.04.2022 – Lecture “Therapist's self-help in times of crisis” by Amit Orenн

10.04.2022 – Lecture “How to survive trauma with dignity” by Sofia Verulashvili

11.04.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Lesson 5” by Ruella Frank

12.04.2022 – Lecture “What support is needed to survive the night?” by Giovanni Salonia

13.04.2022 – Lecture with the inclusion of the personal experience of the participants “If a friend suddenly turned out to be ... Communication with loved ones who ended up in another camp” by Irena Goluba

14.04.2022 – Lecture “Helping children and adolescents in Ukraine with Gestalt Play Therapy by Violet Oaklander. Lesson 1” by Lynn Stadler

15.04.2022 – Webinar lecture “PTSD and its impact on the mind and body” by James Krall (USA, first cycle)

16.04.2022 – Lecture "Did Oedipus suffer from an Oedipus complex?" by Joseph Zislin

18.04.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Lesson 6” by Ruella Frank

19.04.2022 – Lecture “The phenomenon of narcissism” by Artur Dombrovsky

20.04.2022 – Lecture “How did my family survive and survive? Finding Resources in Family History by Irena Goluba

21.04.2022 – Lecture “Helping children and adolescents in Ukraine with Gestalt Play Therapy by Violet Oaklander. Lesson 2” by Lynn Stadler

22.04.2022 – Webinar lecture “Collecting information on admission and assessment of mental status” by James Krall (USA, second cycle)

26.04.2022 – Webinar lecture “Helping psychologists and psychotherapists during the humanitarian crisis and war. Lesson 1” by Judy Berman Zeligson

27.04.2022 – Lecture “Life schedule as a way of working with post-traumatic stress disorder” by Ismini Ohm-Zalitis (Stockholm)

29.04.2022 –Webinar lecture “Overview of the EMDR Treatment Model and EMDR Imaging Resource” by James Krall (USA, third cycle)

30.04.2022 – Lecture “From sexual addiction to penis loss” by Iosif Zislin

30.04.2022 – Lecture “Integration of spirituality in a conflict and dangerous field” by Philip Brownell (USA)

02.05.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Session 7” by Ruella Frank

03.05.2022 – Lecture “Mothers and Children” by Sherry Skyler Kelly

04.05.2022 – Lecture “From regular psychotherapy to crisis one and back. Changes in the contract, framework and therapeutic relationship during the war” by Irena Golub

06.05.2022 – Webinar lecture “Developing an Injury Treatment Plan” by James Krall (USA, fourth cycle)

09.05.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Session 8” by Ruella Frank

11.05. 2022 – Lecture “Verbs in the context of dialogue and dialogue in the context of evidence” by Artur Dombrovsky

17.05.2022 – Webinar lecture “Helping psychologists and psychotherapists during the humanitarian crisis and war. Lesson 2” by Judy Berman Zeligson

18.05.2022 – Lecture “Experiencing losses. Losses of various kinds” by Irena Goluba

19.05.2022 – Lecture “How to restore the language of emotions when they are frozen. Anger and hatred: for how long? Why?" by Sherry Skyler Kelly, Phoebe Atkinson

23.05.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Session 9” by Ruella Frank

30.05.2022 – Lecture-webinar “Body safety as a basic state. How to learn from him to return” by Judy Berman Zeligson

10.06.2022 – Lecture “How to live with uncertainty, cultivate resilience and hope” by Amit Oren

13.06.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Session 10” by Ruella Frank

23.06.2022 – Webinar Lecture “The importance of movement – to prevent or exit a frozen state” by Judy Berman Zeligson

04.07.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Session 11” by Ruella Frank

06.07.2022 – Webinar Lecture “The importance of movement – to prevent or exit a frozen state” by Judy Berman Zeligson

13.07.2022 – Lecture “Dilemmas of settlers: when to go, where to stay, relations with others” by Irena Goluba

18.07.2022 – Webinar “Therapist's bodily experiences during the war. Session 12” by Ruella Frank

28.07.2022 – Webinar Lecture “The importance of movement – to prevent or exit a frozen state” by Judy Berman Zeligson