Dates of Conduct: Wednesday 17 June 2020 11:30 to Sunday 21 June 2020 18:30

Venue: Candia House, Candia Beach, 21100 Nafplion

Language: English

Participation fee:

For registration and payment until 15/04/2020                   € 1,700 / person

The price includes:

• Workshops attendance, information material as well as a certificate of attendance.
• 4 nights with breakfast, 10 coffee breaks and 5 light lunches.
• Accommodation in double or triple rooms

For more information and participation, contact the centers:

Athens: Monday - Friday 10:00 - 18:00

G. SISINI 39, 115 28 Athens (Hilton) Tel: +30 210-7254010

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thessaloniki: Monday - Thursday 09:00 - 17:00, Friday 10:00 - 18:00

Mitropoleos 109, 546 22 Thessaloniki Tel. +30 2310-283588

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

WEDNESDAY 17/6/2020 

09:30 -11:30 Arrival - Registrations - Welcome Coffee

11:30 -13:00 Theoretical Presentation / Plenary Session       

            Topic: «The metamorphosis of pain. A phenomenological-gestalt perspective on psychopathology»

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti                      

13:00 -13:30 Chewing time / Small Groups

13:30 -15:00 Break / Light lunch

15:00 -17:00 Experiential Group Α

                           Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                     Experiential Group Β

                           Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

17:00 -17:30 Coffee-break

17:30 -19:00 Group of Supervision Α

                           Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                     Group of Supervision Β

                           Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

THURSDAY  18/6/2020              

08:00 -09:00 Breakfast                               

09:30 -11:00 Theoretical Presentation / Plenary Session     

                            Topic: “What My Clients Taught Me About Relational Gestalt therapy”

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier                        

11:00 -11:30  Chewing time / Small Groups

11:30 -12:00  Coffee-break

12:00 -13:30   Experiential Group Α

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

Experiential Group Β

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

13:30 -15:00  Break / Light lunch

15:00 -16:30  Group of Supervision Α

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                      Group of Supervision Β

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier                     

16:30 -17:00 Coffee-break

17:00 -18:30 Group of Supervision Α / Continuation and closing

                           Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                    Group of Supervision Β / Continuation and closing

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

FRIDAY 19/6/2020

08:00 -09:00 Breakfast                                          

09:30 -11:00 Theoretical Presentation / Plenary Session         

Topic: «To share or not to share? The process of change in therapy from a field theory perspective»

                           Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

11:00 -11:30 Chewing time / Small Groups

11:30 -12:00 Coffee-break

12:00 -13:30 Experiential Group Α

                           Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                    Experiential Group Β

                           Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

13:30 -15:00 Break / Light lunch

15:00 -16:30 Group of Supervision Α

                           Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                     Group of Supervision Β

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier                  

16:30 -17:00  Coffee-break

17:00 -18:30  Group of Supervision Α / Continuation and closing

                             Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                      Group of Supervision Β / Continuation and closing

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

SATURDAY  20/6/2020

08:00 -09:00  Breakfast                              

09:30 -11:00  Theoretical Presentation / Plenary Session    

                        Topic:”Sexual Differences: Shame and Recovery”

                        Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

11:00 -11:30  Chewing time / Small Groups

11:30 -12:00  Coffee-break

12:00 -13:30  Experiential Group Α

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                      Experiential Group Β

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

13:30 -15:00  Break / Light lunch

15:00 -16:30  Group of Supervision Α

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                      Group of Supervision Β

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier        

16:30 -17:00  Coffee-break

17:00 -18:30  Group of Supervision Α / Continuation and closing

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                      Group of Supervision Β / Continuation and closing

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

SUNDAY  21/6/2020

08:00 -09:00  Breakfast

09:30 -11:00  Meaning making of theory/ Plenary Session

11:00 -11:30  Chewing time / Small Groups

11:30 -12:00 Coffee-break

12:00 -13:30  Experiential Group Α

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                      Experiential Group Β

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

13:30 -15:00 Break / Light lunch

15:00 -16:30  Group of Supervision Α

                            Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                      Group of Supervision Β

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

16:30 -17:00  Coffee-break

17:00 -18:00 Group of Supervision Α / Continuation and closing

                           Co-ordinator: Gianni Francesetti

                    Group of Supervision Β / Continuation and closing

                            Co-ordinator: Armin Baier

18:00 -18:30 Plenary Session/ Closing of the 5day program

The themes of the theoretical presentations that Gianni Francesetti will develop are the following:

• “The metamorphosis of pain. A phenomenological-gestalt perspective on psychopathology”

What is psychopathology? What is the relationship between psychopathology and pain? And with diagnosis? What are the characteristics of a phenomenological-gestalt psychopathology? What is psychopathological suffering? How does the therapist perceive this suffering in the session? And what happens to it in therapy?  In this lecture, I will try to address these questions by using a perspective based on Gestalt therapy theory and phenomenological tradition in psychopathology. Through this journey, I suggest a possible understanding of the transformations of pain in different forms of suffering and absences, i.e. in psychopathology. And, vice versa, we can conceptualize therapy as a pathway from psychopathological forms towards their transformations in pain and in presence. This exploration offers support in understanding human clinical suffering and its transformations in therapy.

Learning goals:

• To understand the relationship between traumatic experiences and psychopathology
• To understand the relationship between psychopathology and therapeutic processes

• «To share or not to share? The process of change in therapy from a field theory perspective»

The impact of a field perspective in psychopathology, diagnosis and psychotherapy can be revolutionary in its consequences, depending on how the therapist approaches the session and conducts therapy.  In particular, I will focus on how field theory can shed new light on the processes of change in psychotherapy and on the paradoxical theory of change.  
The field perspective does not offer a technique that can be reproduced as behaviour, but proposes an approach to therapy to help steer the therapeutic act as it emerges in the specific situation. So the field perspective is not a theory of a technique, but a theory of phronesis. The phronetic process is a support for therapists in order to orient themselves in the very crucial moment of the art of therapy: the moment when they feel a resonance and they have to choose if, when and how to share it with the client.

Learning goals:

• To know the theory of change in different paradigms (personal, dialogical, field theory)
• To understand the risks and possibilities of sharing the therapist’s feelings in therapy
• To know what makes the difference in the process of sharing in order to support the process of change in therapy

Gianni Francesetti: Psychiatrist, Gestalt therapist, Adjunt Professor of Phenomenological and Existential Approach, Dep. of Psychology, University of Torino (Italy), international trainer and supervisor, he has published widely on psychotherapy and psychopathology, exploring original approaches to understanding clinical suffering from a phenomenological and Gestalt therapy viewpoint and proposing new models for framing particular clinical disorders (including experiences of panic, depression, psychosis, and obsessive-compulsive disorder). He is President of Poiesis. Gestalt Therapy Centre of Torino and of the IPsiG - International Institute for Gestalt Therapy and Psychopathology. He is Past President of the EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy), of the SIPG (Italian Society for Gestalt therapy), of the FIAP (Italian Federation of Psychotherapy Associations), member of the New York Institute for Gestalt Therapy, the Association for the Advancement of Gestalt Therapy (AAGT), the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP), and the Society for Psychotherapy Research (SPR).

The themes of the theoretical presentations that Armin Baier will develop are the following:

• “What My Clients Taught Me About Relational Gestalt Therapy”

The world of Gestalt Therapy has undergone significant shifts in focus and approach.  The theory and practice of Gestalt Therapy are often now discussed as having a “classic” period followed by an expansion to a deeper development of the relational practice. This very personal lecture will explore one therapist’s experience of this sea change over the course of 40 years, with specific case examples.  In particular, one 10-year therapeutic encounter with a patient who reshaped this therapist’s thinking about the nature of the relational ground of therapy will be described and examined.  Reference will be made especially to Martin Buber’s instruction to the psychotherapist in his essay “Healing Through Meeting,” as well as the theoretical writings of Yontef, Jacobs, Francesetti and others.

Learning Goals

• Participants are able to identify a personal example of the emergence of the therapist’s presence as an essential component of a relational Gestalt Therapy model.
• Participants are able to define the therapist’s presence in terms of Martin Buber’s experiential description of the shift from an expert stance to one of empathic immediacy.
• Participants are able to identify the role of the therapist’s “otherness,” in Lynne Jacobs terms, as a central aspect of promoting self-development in the patient.

• “Sexual Differences: Shame and Recovery”

In the past 50 years, our world has gradually and with much struggle begun to make room for sexual differences in human beings.  Sexual identity, sexual orientation and varieties of conventional and unconventional sexual expression are now a vibrant part of our social and cultural discourses.  Our sexual differences include both interpersonal expressions and individual impulses and fantasies.  While social and political accommodation of sexual differences is becoming more common in some places, the experiences of individuals can often be characterized by opposition, conflict and rejection. 

Among the most persistent effects of this experience is an ongoing legacy of shame.   The relational approach to contemporary Gestalt Therapy has placed special emphasis on shame, notably in the writings of Gestalt therapists Gary Yontef, Gordon Wheeler, Jean-Marie Robine and Lynne Jacobs.  This presentation will identify the causes and consequences of shame experienced by individuals with sexual differences, how that shame experience shows up in the therapeutic setting in gross and subtle ways, and the possibilities for support and healing through an existential and relational Gestalt therapeutic treatment.  Several case examples will illustrate the complexities of working with sexual differences to enable a transition beyond shame.

Learning Goals

• Participants are able to identify the range of behaviors that comprise sexual behavior differences in human beings.
• Participants are able to describe the history of growing awareness of sexual behavior differences by mental health providers and how this has impacted social and cultural perspectives.
• Participants are able to describe how shame develops and plays a role in the experience of persons with sexually different behaviors.
• Participants are able to identify 4 psychotherapeutic interventions to address shame in the context of sexual differences and to facilitate healing and growth.

Armin Baier, LCSW, JD, is a member of the core faculty of the Pacific Gestalt Institute and he has a private psychotherapy practice in Los Angeles specializing in relational gestalt therapy, trauma, addiction.  He provides clinical consultation at the Venice Family Clinic, teaches at the Columbia University School of Social Work MSW program online campus, and serves on the board of directors of the Gestalt Therapy Institute of Los Angeles.  As a former Clinical Director of the Parallax Center addiction treatment program in New York for over 20 years, Armin’s clinical experience, teaching and published writings include research, method and policy in the field of addiction treatment. 

On Thursday, 13/02/2020, at the IANOS Culture Chain in Athens, the fourth lecture in the series ‘Philosophy meets Psychology’ was held. The theme was “Death”. Presenting the philosophical side of the subject was the speaker Stasinos Stavrianeas, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Patras, and on the side of Psychology were the speaker George Diplas, P.g.D. in PCA Counseling, Gestalt trainer & supervisor, psychotherapist. Death is one of the most beloved and debated concepts in both philosophy and psychology. But it is difficult to understand both in terms of its definition and its perception of it. It was next, in the ensuing discussion, that the public would flood the speakers with various questions and postings and lead to an extremely interesting exchange of views.

On Thursday 12/12/2019, at the IANOS Culture Chain, in Athens, the second lecture in the series "Philosophy meets Psychology" was held. The theme was "Feelings".

Presenting the philosophical side of the subject was the speaker Stasinos Stavrianeas, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Patras, and on the side of Psychology were the speaker Yianna Yiamarelou, psychologist, Gestalt psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor and co-founder of the Gestalt Foundation. Professor Stavrianeas mentioned that in the classical Greek world, Plato's and Aristotle's work were referred to as passions, an issue that concerned both the Epicurean and the Stoic school. However, the dominant perception of the emotion we are familiar with today, as well as its evaluations that we consider to be self-explanatory, go back to the late 18th century A.D. Both the popular theme and the crowd of attendees and their keen interest, led to a lively discussion with various questions and postings.

On Thursday, 14/11/2019, at the IANOS Culture Chain in Athens, the first lecture in the series ‘Philosophy meets Psychology’ was held. The theme was ‘Friendship’. Presenting the philosophical side of the subject was the speaker Stasinos Stavrianeas, Assistant Professor of Philosophy at the University of Patras, and on the side of Psychology was the speaker Despina Balliou, psychologist, psychotherapist, trainer, Gestalt supervisor and co-founder of the Gestalt Foundation. Professor Stavrianneas presented ‘Friendship’ through the teachings of two philosophers, Aristotle and Epicurus, highlighting the differentiation in their view of the subject, and Ms Balliou presented the theme from the Gestalt perspective. As might be expected with such a popular subject, the interest among the attendees was very high and there was lively  participation in the discussion that followed, with various questions and expressions of opinion.

From the 1^st to the 3^rd of November, 2019 , the three-day Residential Workshop entitled "Please Mind the Gap" (facilitated by Despina Balliou and Exarmenia Pappa) took place at the "Eleonas" guesthouse located on a hillside surrounded by an olive grove in Rovies, Evia.

This workshop,was devoted to exploring and understanding the void, through body movement, authentic dialogue and contact with nature,  thus deepening the quality of contact, relationship and ultimately leading to a  life of vitality.

The workshop included experiential physical exercises, movement improvisation, group process and process in the natural environment, while linking GESTALT theory to the participants' experiential work in the best possible way.

Despina Balliou: M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapist, Gestalt Trainer and Supervisor, Member of EAGT, Trained in EMDR Trauma Therapy, Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy).

Exarmenia Pappa: Psychologist (MSc), MSc Mental Health Studies, PgCert Gestalt Body Process (Trained by James Kepner), Gestalt Psychotherapist and Trainer, Member of EAGT and HAGT (Hellenic Association of Gestalt Psychotherapy).

The Experimental workshop "Redefining My History: A Door to the Future" (facilitated by Yianna Yiamarelou and Despina Balliou) which took place on 18,19 and 20 October 2019 in Karapanou House, one of the most beautiful mansions on the island of Aegina, reached its completion with great success and a plethora of emotions.

Stereotypes, roles, myths, alliances, mixed messages, patterns, life attitudes, principles and values, sources of energy and support: where do they come from and how are they transmitted from generation to generation in our personal history? How do they activate us? Do they give us a sense of identity or do they bind us? How do family bonds become binding? How do the lines joining us become invisible nets that trap us?

In this workshop, family maps (genograms) unfolded and were redefined, allowing new foundations and perspectives on life to emerge.

Yianna Yamarelou: M.A. Clinical Psychology, Psychotherapist, Gestalt Trainer and Supervisor, Member of EAGT, Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy).

Despina Balliou: M.Sc. Counselling Psychology, Psychotherapist, Gestalt Trainer and Supervisor, Member of EAGT, Trained in EMDR Trauma Therapy, Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy).

On Saturday, September 14, 2019, from 11:00 to 14:00, an “Open Day" was held for the first time in our center to provide key information for all those who wished to know more about our training program in Gestalt psychotherapy. After a brief presentation of the Gestalt approach by Ms. Yianna Yamarelou, founding member of the Gestalt Foundation and a senior trainer at the center, Ms. Despina Balliou, also a founding member of the Gestalt Foundation, presented the training programs and highly recommended the center's vibrant potential. There followed an open discussion between all the interested parties and the trainers, associates, alumni and trainees who were present. The atmosphere was warm, relaxed, but full of enthusiasm, and intense interest was evident in everyone who attended this very successful, inaugural open day.