Mark Putnam, M.D., has been faculty with the Pennsylvania Gestalt Center for thirty years and has had the great pleasure of working with his inspiring colleagues, Mariah Gladis and Dori Middleman. Mark is committed to passing on the legacy of Mariah’s practice of Gestalt through the Center’s training programs and workshops.
Mark serves as Chief Medical Officer for Haven Behavioral Hospital of Eastern PA, Chief Medical Officer for Berkshire Psychiatric and Behavioral Health Services, PLLC, and as Medical Director for the Department of Psychiatry at Penn State St. Joseph Medical Center in Reading, PA. He is board-certified in Adult, Child/Adolescent and Administrative psychiatry.
A personal message from Mark:
“There are many personal paths to healing. For me, Gestalt theory has been an immensely important paradigm through which to facilitate healing for others and for myself.
One important underlying assumption in Gestalt theory, as practiced in our Center, is that we all share an innate drive to move toward health, like a flower drawn to the sun. We also believe in the wisdom of our organism, in our being, to know what we need in order for us to heal. These assumptions ground our work as we join with the client and student on their unfolding path of growth. I emphasize these beliefs, as I perceive them to be especially important at this time in our culture when so many believe they have the answer for what is right for everyone else. The clients are much wiser than I am regarding their needs and what is important in their lives.
At the same time I recognize the important role I play – as a physician, teacher or therapist- for those I am in contact with. I am committed to providing excellence in teaching and mentoring for personal and clinical skills. I believe deep growth as a person and clinician can only be accomplished within a safe emotional environment.”