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Recent published works

Books authored by Paul Barber

Becoming a Practitioner Researcher: A Gestalt Approach to Holistic Inquiry

Middlesex University Press, London (2006) (see book review)

A Reflective Guide to Facilitating Change in Groups and Organisations: A Gestalt Approach to Mindfulness

Libri Press, Oxford (to be published Autumn 2012)

Gestalt Therapy Reappraised: A Personal Synthesis of What My Gestalt Training Never Taught Me! 

Liber Mundi, Craiova, Romania (to be published Summer 2012)

Chapters in books

Barber, P. & Macintosh, P. (2011) Freeforming - Connecting Without Words. In Brownell, P. & Stevens, C. Innovations in Gestalt, Gestalt Press, USA.

Barber, P & Brownell, P. (2009) Qualitative Research.  Chapter 3 in Brownell (ed) Handbook for Theory, Research and Practice in Gestalt Therapy.  Cambridge Scholars Publishing, New York & London.

Barber, P. (2009) A Gestalt Approach to Organisational Health. In Case Studies, Penn, S & Kenton, B. Change, Conflict and Community - Changing Thought and Action. Elsevier Publications, Oxford, UK.

Barber, P. (2008) Facilitating High Achievers to tell their Stories of Professional Entrepreneurialism: Lessons from the Doctorate in Public Works. In Young, D. & Garnett, J (eds) Work-Based Learning Futures. Bolton: University Awards Counsel.

Journal papers

Barber, P. (2012) The Nature of Gestalt Coaching and Therapy: A Personal Reflection. British Gestalt Journal - accepted for publication.

Barber, P. (2011) An Inquiry into Gestalt Coaching and Therapy. AMED Journal of People and Organisations.

Barber, P. (2008) The British Gestalt Conference: A Reflective Inquiry.  British Gestalt Journal, vol 17, no 1.

Barber, P. (2006) Keeping Psychotherapy Trainees in Their Place: How Psychotherapy Institutions can Stifle Love and Breed Compliance.  International Gestalt Journal.  (available as PDF download)

Barber, P. (2006) Group as Teacher: The Gestalt Informed Peer-Learning Community as a Transpersonal Vehicle for Organizational Healing.  Gestalt Review, Vol 10, no 1. USA.

Barber, P. (2005) The Shadow-Side of Leadership: The Stifling of Creativity and the Fostering of Collusion in Training Organisations.  Organisations and People – Special Leaders and Values Edition, Vol 12, No 1.

Barber, P & Bates, A. (2004) Are We the True Freudians?  Humanistic Psychology and Gestalt’s Honouring of Freud’s Philosophical Legacy.  International Gestalt Journal. 

Barber, P. (2004) Towards more Humanistic and Transpersonal Gestalt: A Challenge to the Gestalt Community.  British Gestalt Journal.

Barber, P. (2003a) Group as Teacher.  ERIC Clearinghouse on Adult, Career and Vocational Education, Ohio State University E-Press, USA.

Barber, P. (2003) Gestalt: A Prime Medium for Holistic Research and Whole Person Education. British Gestalt Journal. Vol 11, No 2.

Barber, P. (2002a) Coaching and Consulting: A Dialogue with Holism and the Soul. Organisations and People, Vol 9, no 1.

Barber, P. (2002) Self Development within Experiential Groups: A Gestalt Perspective.  Self & Society, Vol 30, no 2.

Becoming a Practitioner Researcher: A Gestalt Approach to Holistic Inquiry
Becoming a Practitioner Researcher: A Gestalt Approach to Holistic Inquiry
Today, learning from the workplace, reflection on practice, and lifelong learning are acknowledged as central to effective continuing professional development. This book is designed as an indispensable guide to anyone undertaking investigations in complex or changing organisational settings.

In contrast to strategies based on the scientific method and the use of empirical evidence, the Gestalt approach places investigators at the centre of their own practice. It aims to build a picture of awareness by prioritising how people perceive, feel and act.

By way of practical encouragement and in response to the reflections and questions raised, examples of entries within an ongoing practitioner-research journal are provided throughout the text. There are also mini case studies to clarify key points, plus three extended case studies designed to illuminate the real-life drama of being a researcher.

All professionals who work with people and groups will find this book invaluable. The models and approaches described in the text have evolved from the author’s work over many years with managers and organisational consultants, doctorate and masters students, and such people-facing professions as nursing, mental health and social workers, teachers, counsellors and psychotherapists.