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Publishing history

Recent books

Becoming a Practitioner Researcher: A Gestalt Approach to Holistic Inquiry

Middlesex University Press, London (2006)

This text may be purchased direct from the author at £21 including postage (RRP £30)

(see book review)

Recent chapters in books

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. (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 Recent Refereed Journals

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

(2006) Keeping Psychotherapy Trainees in Their Place: How Psychotherapy Institutions can Stifle Love & Breed Compliance.  International Gestalt Journal.  (Available as download below)

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

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

(2004) Are We the True Freudians?  Humanistic Psychology and Gestalt’s Honouring of Freud’s Philosophical Legacy.  International Gestalt Journal 27/2/05 & Bates, A.  (2004) Towards more Humanistic & Transpersonal Gestalt – A Challenge to the Gestalt Community.  British Gestalt Journal.

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

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

(2002) Self Development within Experiential Groups - a Gestalt Perspective.  Self & Society, Vol 30, no 2.

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

Becoming a Practitioner Researcher
Becoming a Practitioner Researcher
Learning from the workplace, reflection on practice and lifelong learning today 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.