Dorothy Charles

Dorothy Charles has been a student and teacher at Esalen since 1982. A student of Esalen co-founder Richard Price, she combines Esalen body-centered Gestalt with relational Gestalt theory, and leads workshops in Asia, Europe and the U.S.

Email Me
www.dorothycharles.com

Upcoming Programs by Dorothy Charles

Photo Gestalt: Exploring Self Through Family Photographs

June 22 - 26, 2026

Family photographs carry stories, both spoken and unspoken, about where we come from and who we have become. In this experiential workshop, participants will use personal family photos as catalysts for reflection, emotional awareness, and a deeper understanding of identity. Through guided exercises, gentle inquiry, and shared witnessing, you will explore: The emotional signatures carried […]

Relational Gestalt Practice: Presence, Contact and Communication

September 7 - 11, 2026

In 1938, researchers at Harvard University began a 75-year study that addressed life’s fundamental question: What makes a good life? The Grant Study, also known as the Harvard Study of Adult Development, found strong relationships to be the clearest predictor of life satisfaction. In Relational Gestalt practice, direct and response-able communication is essential for creating […]

Relational Gestalt Practice: Open Seat Intensive

November 27 - December 4, 2026

All people have an innate ability to move toward healthy, satisfying relationships. Old patterns of behavior and fixed ideas formed in early relationships may block our ability to communicate and make contact with the people in our lives. The Gestalt approach aims to increase awareness of these patterns and our ”unfinished business” by relating in […]