My name is Gerhard Böckler. I was born in Germany, where I graduated in Medicine from the University of Marburg in 1983. After earning my degree, I worked for several years as a locum doctor and general practitioner.
My curiosity to explore new ways of supporting healing, and my desire to live in community with friends and colleagues, was my main motivation to move to the Netherlands. There, I became director of a health centre that integrated Western medicine, Eastern approaches (such as acupuncture and herbal medicine), alternative methods (including meditation, visualisation, bioenergetics, and emotional bodywork), and psychological schools (such as Gestalt therapy). These approaches came together in service of the wellbeing of our clients.
This process of learning and integrating continued throughout my life and became truly holistic when I realised that the therapeutic relationship itself is essential. Healing becomes possible when the client is seen as a whole person, and when the relationship is rooted in acceptance, awareness, deep empathy, and love.
My wish to share what I had learned brought me to teaching roles at institutions such as the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the German School of Osteopathy, Holos, NOGG, and various therapist training programmes in the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and Australia. I also worked as a consulting physician for the municipality of Haarlem, and for many years I have run a counselling practice in Amsterdam.
Since 2012, I have been offering a Post-Bachelor Programme in Holistic Coaching. Since September 2015, I have been part of the Con Amore team with great joy. Over the past years, they have succeeded in creating a beautiful and inspiring learning environment.
Medicine
Acupuncture
Bioenergetics
Emotional Release
Naturopathy
Humaniversity Therapy
Breath Therapy
Medical Doctor
Therapist and Coach – Holistic Medicine Practice, Amsterdam
Trainer – Post-Bachelor Holistic Coaching, NOGG
Teacher – Medical and Psychosocial Fundamentals, NOGG
Lecturer – Western Medicine and Holistic Health, Holos
Psychology Instructor – School of Osteopathy, Germany
Teacher/Therapist – Holistic Healing, Gautama, Italy
Teacher/Therapist – Body-Oriented Therapy, The Academy of Light, Italy
Director – Health Center Humaniversity
Consulting Physician – Municipality of Haarlem
Vaccination Doctor – German Government
Director – Sex Counselor Training