Application procedure

The full training course in Group Analysis, Couples and Family Therapy is addressed mainly to mental health and humanities scientists and professionals, such as psychiatrists, child psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers etc. In exceptional cases, candidates of relevant professional fields may be considered for admission.

To apply for the training, the candidate should start by completing an application form, that can be received by the Institute’s Secretary, and sumbit it along with a CV. After the candidate’s file is evaluated and in case he is considered suitable for training, two interviews will be scheduled with two independent members of the Training Committee. The candidate will be informed regarding the final accepting or rejecting decision. In case the candidate’s application is not accepted, then he can file a new application for the next course cycle, the following year.

Every new member that is considered suitable for training will be informed thoroughly about the beginning of the new course cycle, the curicullum, comprehensive literature and suggested readings, and the content of the training programme in general.

For more information the candidates can reach out to the Institute’s chairman and director of the Training Committee, mr. Pantelis Papadopoulos ( 210-9819200, 6944342170), or to the Secretary (210 77 58 888).

Training Programme

The Institute’s training programme is carried out by the Education Committee, according to the standards of the Institute’s Statute, expands over 5 years, and includes:

1. Participation of the trainee in an experience group, in the first year of training. The sessions are conducted weekly and last for 90 minutes.

2. 4-year participation in an analytic therapeutic group, which begins in the second year of training. The therapy is conducted in a mixed group (with trainees and other patients), with frequency once weekly, and 90-minute duration.

3. 5-year attendance in seminars regarding the theory of Psychoanalysis as well as the theory and practice of Group Analysis, Family Therapy and Couples Therapy. The theoretical background is integrated and is mostly based on the psychoanalytic theory of Object Relations, and its applications for the individual, the family, the couple and the group. The therapeutic approach in Family Therapy is based both on psychoanalytic and systemic formulations. The seminars – theoretical courses of the training programme - are taught in small training groups and are coordinated by the Teaching Members of the Institute. The frequency is weekly and the duration is 90 minutes. Their structure is supervised and approved by the Training Committee. Moreover, during the training there is an opportunity for optional participation in further training material, beyond the regular courses. The optional seminars are scheduled and announced yearly and are presented in the Institute’s premises on Saturdays. The Educational Committee is continuously inspecting and evaluating the trainees’ progress during the course.

4. 3-year participation in group supervision. After the trainee has completed at least two years of training, he can submit an application to start supervision of his clinical work with a certified Training Supervisor listed by the Institute, provided the supervisor is not simultaneously his training analyst. Supervision is also conducted in groups, weekly, for 90 minutes, expanding over at least 3 years. To succesfully complete the training programme, every trainee is expected to hand over a thesis of his supervised clinical work with an analytic group, or family, or couple. The Training Committee is regularly informed by the Supervisor regarding the progress of the supervisees.

5. Submission of two major essays. The first is theoretical and is presented during the second year of studies. The second is clinical-theoretical and is related to the trainees’ clinical work, that has systematically been followed through in the supervisory group. During the course of the training smaller essays or chapter abstracts are expected to be prepared and presented.

6. Clinical experience. In case the candidate lacks clinical experience, he is expected to complete at least 6 months of clinical work in suitable psychiatric or similar units, according to the instructions of the Training Committee.

The training programme is an effort to integrate and present the life cycle, as experienced by people in their original group, the family, as well as the subsequent social, work, and other groups in which they participate, such as the family that they are starting themselves.

With successful completion of the training programme, the trainee is awarded a Certificate of Training, and is approved to apply for full membership in the Institute. His endorsment as a full member is granted by the Training Committee, in collaboration with the Board of Directors, in accordance with his general profile during the course of the training.