Α. GENERAL INFORMATION

The Clinical Training Program in Systemic Psychotherapy is designed for mental health professionals who wish to become systemic counselors and/or psychotherapists and work with individuals, couples, families and groups. Although systemic in its basis, clinical training is enriched with (i) attachment theory, (ii) narrative psychology, and (iii) recent findings in neurosciences. We use the acronym SANE to bring together all four elements of our theoretical and training approach: SANE-System, Attachment, Narrative, Encephalon. ®
The program consists of two levels and follows the training guidelines of EFTA, EAP and HELASYTH. The scientific coordinators are members of EFTA-CIM and HELASYTH. They are also licensed psychologists holding the EuroPsy and also hold the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP)of EAP.
The Institute is a full member of NOPG Greece (ΕΕΨΕ) and the Hellenic Association for Counseling (HAC). It is also an Associate Member of EFTA-TIC.

B. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS AND SELECTION

A first degree in psychology, medicine (psychiatry or child psychiatry) or social work. A first degree in humanities and other social sciences is accepted for applicants who have completed a postgraduate degree in a subject related to mental health.
Entry to the second level of training (see below) requires successful completion of the first level.
The Institute follows an equal opportunities policy in relation to selection.
Attention is paid to the applicant’s suitability for the profession of psychotherapy, based on their assessed ability to meet “learning outcomes” and is given priority over academic criteria (eg. degree grade etc).
Applications can be filled electronically and must be accompanied by two references, copies of degrees and certifications, a photograph. Selection includes an interview and completion of a written brief autobiographical description.

C. LENGTH AND STRUCTURE OF THE COURSE

Training consists of two levels.
Successful completion only of the first level of training leads to the certificate in “Theory and applications of systemic counseling” (2 years attendance of the program plus 1 additional year to complete supervised clinical practice and dissertation).
Successful completion of the first level allows trainees to continue to the second level that leads to the “Clinical training program in systemic psychotherapy” certificate. The duration of both levels is 4 years the minimum and 6 years the maximum. A total of 1440 hours direct contact with course staff is required.
The 1440 hours of the four year program are divided as follows:
• Theoretical learning: 500 hours (includes academic teaching, case discussion and planning, skill and technique workshops) (see more in “Teaching Units”)
Please note: Additional hours not included in the 1440 needed: 1000 hours of study (1:2 ratio) and 100 hours research field work
• Clinical practice: 370 hours (direct contact with clients in individual, family and group therapy sessions). Clinical practice takes place within the academic course (70 hours), in private practices of the Institute’s clinical supervisors (associates) (300 hours). Trainees take part in family and group sessions and are involved in both assessment and intervention practices. Third and four year trainees may do voluntary work with clients at the counseling and psychotherapy service of the Institute which provides low cost services (these count as extra hours covering part of the required supervised work beyond training-see below)
• Supervision: 260 hours (direct and indirect as part of the course). Supervision is provided by the co-directors of the Institute.
• Personal therapy: 310 hours (the minimum) (2/3 must take place in group therapy with ‘ordinary’ clients). Therapists are chosen by trainees but must be members of systemic therapy associations accredited by EFTA. Personal therapy continues beyond the hours required by the program depending on personal needs and the judgment of the therapist.
Theoretical learning and the largest part of clinical supervision takes place within a group where trainees have the opportunity to learn from listening, observing and participating in the learning process of fellow trainees.
A minimum of 200 hours of supervised work with clients outside of the course (their work setting or on a voluntary basis) is additionally required either during or following completion of the course for qualification purposes. The Institute provides such opportunities through its counseling and psychotherapy service which is linked to its clinical training programs (in systemic psychotherapy and systemic diagnosis) and where work is indirectly supervised on a regular basis.

D. TEACHING UNITS

Level 1. – Theory
1. From the individual to the relationship: Birth of family therapy. ( G. Kalarritis)
2. Basic notions and developments in systemic thinking: From modernism to postmodernism. (G. Kalarritis)
3. Schools of systemic family therapy. History of the field. Contemporary approaches and trends. (G. Kalarritis)
4. Systemic therapy with individuals. (T. Bafiti)
5. Systemic therapy with couples. (T. Bafiti)
6. Systemic therapy with groups. (T. Bafiti)
7. Individual and family life cycle. (G. Kalarritis)
8. Enriching systemic thinking with attachment theory and narrative psychology
9. The brain and relational therapies: Enrichment of systemic thinking continued. (G. Kalarritis)
10. Genetics and psychotherapy. Nature through nurture. The question of temperament. (G. Kalarritis)
11. Theories of personality and change in the most popular psychotherapy approaches. (T. Bafiti)
12. Change and other basic notions in the enriched form (SANE) of systemic psychotherapy. (A. Androutsopoulou)
13. Stages of short and long term psychotherapy in SANE. (A. Androutsopoulou)
14. Current research findings and psychotherapy. Postmodern qualitative research (A. Androutsopoulou)
15. Self of the therapist. Personal development, importance of supervision, continuing education and ethics. (G. Kalarritis)
Workshops
1. Use of DVDs for the development of knowledge and skills. Watching, thinking and discussing. (T. Bafiti-G. Kalarritis)
2. Practicing with foundation counseling and therapy skills: Building a therapeutic relationship. Importance of emotions and of a “safe place”. (A. Androutsopoulou)
3. Practicing with basic techniques (modern and postmodern) in systemic and family therapy with adults, children, in various types of sessions. (A. Androutsopoulou- T. Bafiti)
4. Case presentation and conceptualization focused on adaptation difficulties (life-cycle issues, contemporary relationships and families, violence and abuse, drug dependencies, community work) . (A. Androutsopoulou, T. Bafiti, G. Kalarritis)

Level 2 – Theory
1. Historical review of “mental illness”. Birth of psychotherapy. (G. Kalarritis)
2. Systemic thinking and psychopathology: From the 1950’s to the 2010’s. (T. Bafiti)
3. Attachment theory, narrative coherence and psychopathology. (A. Androutsopoulou)
4. Resilience and normal processes: The emphasis on health. (T. Bafiti)
5. Psychopathology and contemporary findings in the neurosciences. (G. kalarritis)
6. Postmodern community interventions for dealing with psychoses. (A. Androutsopoulou)
7. Basic features and issues in systemic/relational diagnosis. (T. Bafiti)
8. Means of evaluating attachment patterns and narrative coherence. (A. Androutsopoulou- G. Kalarritis)
9. Qualitative research and psychotherapy: Working on team based research projects. (A. Androutsopoulou)

Workshops
1. Use of DVDs for advancing knowledge and skills. Watching, thinking and discussing. (T. Bafiti-G. Kalarritis).
2. Practice of advanced techniques (modern and postmodern) in systemic and family therapy with adults, children, in various types of sessions (continuing from level 1). (A. Androutsopoulou-T. Bafiti)
3. Case presentation and conceptualization focused on mental health issues and psychopathology. (A. Androutsopoulou, T. Bafiti)

E. LEARNING OUTCOMES

1. An ability to understand all issues covered in theory and workshops (see “teaching units” of levels 1 and 2), and comprehend their applications in a range of problems and various types of sessions (individual, family/couple, group).
2. An ability to develop a meaningful and effective therapeutic relationship with clients
3. An ability to apply, adapt and critically evaluate all the foundation skills and therapy techniques taught in the workshops and practiced in clinical settings to a wide range of problems and clients.
4. Recognition and avoidance of any discriminatory practice and evidence of cultural sensitivity in handling a variety of cases.
5. An ability to make use of supervision processes and show evidence of professional development and an acknowledgment of blind spots.
6. A capacity for critical thinking and reflexivity.
7. A capacity to resolve problems or even crises in the relationships with supervisors, fellow trainees and colleagues.
8. An ability to organize tasks and present clinical work in oral and written forms to mental health professionals.
9. Commitment to the ethics code of the Institute available online to all trainees and staff.

F. ASSESSMENT
Assessment of trainees includes:
(i) Regular attendance of course activities
(ii) Yearly assignments, research project, and final year dissertation (case conceptualization).
1. Individual assignments (presentations and brief literature reviews).
2. Group assignments (presentations and brief literature reviews).
3. Journal of training activities and clinical work portfolio (reports on clinical practice, short case presentations, use of assessment and clinical tools).
4. Team based qualitative research project (including fieldwork, qualitative analysis, writing up, conference presentation and/or article)(to be completed within the 4-year training).
5. Final year dissertation (theoretical review and case presentation: case conceptualization, treatment planning and implementation, follow up).
Please note: A dissertation is required also of those trainees who complete only the two year training plus clinical practice and wish to be awarded the Certificate in “Theory and applications of systemic counseling”.

(iv) Continuous process of oral assessment and feedback from trainers, supervisors and fellow trainees as part of participation in the clinical supervision group.
(v) Written assessment form of personal progress filled in by the trainee designed to evaluate “learning outcomes”.
(vi) Written assessment form of trainee progress filled in by trainers and supervisors designed to evaluate “learning outcomes”.
Assessment of the course includes:
(i) Written assessment form with comments and suggestions for improving the course filled in by trainees.
(ii) Continuous process of oral assessment and feedback to trainers and supervisors concerning training services as part of their participation in the clinical supervision and training group.

G. MATERIALS AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
The Institute has the necessary materials and technical equipment to support teaching and learning. It also provides trainees access to selected scientific journals and to a virtual library with licensed access containing articles, books and videos on psychotherapy, research, training and diagnosis/assessment. All necessary materials are provided for free.

H. TRAINING DATES AND SCHEDULES
1st, 2nd and 3rd year
Teaching and supervision takes place at the Institute every Friday 5pm-10pm from October to June. End of year celebration on the first Friday of July.

The schedule for clinical practice and personal therapy are arranged with clinical supervisors and therapists.

4th year
Teaching and supervision takes place at the Institute one weekend a month from October to June. End of year celebration graduation day on the first Friday of July.

The schedule for clinical practice and personal therapy are arranged with clinical supervisors and therapists.

I. FEES
Fees are annual and can be paid in advance or in 9 payments (October-June). Teaching materials are provided for free (see materials and technical support).Please contact the secretary for more information.