Training Program Participation Conditions

For psychotherapist a degree or certification of studies in mental health, social or humanities courses. 

• Individual interview
• Application Form and CV
• 2 Reference Letters from mental health professionals (professors, directors, supervisors).

Training Program Accreditation

The Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy & Training Center is an accredited member of E.A.G.T (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and its training program subscribes to the EAGT provisions. It is also accredited by the E.A.P (European Association of Psychotherapy) and is also a member of NOPG (National Organization for Psychotherapy in Greece) HAC (Hellenic Association for Counseling)

Training Content and Structure

According to the European training standards set by the E.A.G.T. the program consists of 1450 hours and includes:

• 600 hours theory, methodology and practice,
• 150 hours supervision
• 300 hours individual development
• 400 hours clinical practice

For Gestalt Psychotherapists’ it is a 4 year program divided to 2 segments. First segment includes year one and two and the second years three and four.

Details: 

• Theory and Methodology

600 hours of theory and methodology

There are distributed throughout 4 years. During these hours trainees learn the philosophy and principles of Gestalt psychotherapy. They explore concepts such as phenomenology, figure and ground, here and now, field theory, theory of self, contact and obstacles to contact, polarization, organism - environment, open accounts, diagnosis, psychopathology, transference and counter transference etc.

Trainees progressively learn methodological proccesses such as: Experiment, dialogue, work with dreams. Theory is assimilated through workshops, group papers, presentations and mainly through experiential work within the training group.

• Supervision

150 hours supervision

Supervision begins in the second segment of training (clinical orientation) and consists:

• Individually (minimum 75 hours)( see appendix 4)
• Group (75 hours). The 75 hours take place in supervising groups according to the trainees need of clinical practice (see appendix 5)

Trainees through supervision are encouraged to integrate the theory and knowledge in their work as therapists. Also through supervision and clinical practice they explore issues such as therapeutic relationship, transference, counter transference, parallel process, personal style and boundaries. Supervision is recommended beyond the end of the training program.

• Personal Development

300 hours personal development

Trainees are obligated to complete 300 of personal development that are decided as follows:

• 100 hour individual therapy
  The purpose of individual therapy is the personal development of trainees and the experience of therapy through the patients’ perspective. During the first year trainees are required to cover a minimum of 10 hours of individual therapy and before the beginning of the third year a minimum of 40 hours individual therapy.
• 150 hours of group therapy
  The purpose of group therapy is the personal development of the trainee in a group framework, the enrichment of the experience though the perspective of a patient in a group therapy situation and the understanding of the process of group dynamics in the Gestalt psychotherapy approach, which is an important element of the overall training.
• 50 hours participation in Gestalt psychotherapy workshops
  Workshops on specialized themes that employ trainees in their personal and professional lives such as addiction, abuse, losses, long-term illness, couples and family therapy

• Clinical Practice

400 hours of clinical practice in private or public sector

According to the E.A.G.T. requirements, clinical practice means a 400 hours minimum of sessions with patients (individual, group, couples, family- preferably combined).

Clinical practice starts during the 3rd year of the training program.

Specifically clinical practice hours are considered:

• Working hours in mental health centers according to the requirements for clinical practice set by the Center.
• Working hours as freelancer in consulting/psychotherapy with individuals, groups, families, couples or children.
• Hours consulting through telephone centers.
• Hours as volunteers in sectors that collaborate with the Center

To facilitate the trainees clinical practice the Gestalt Foundation collaborates with certain organizations. The list of these organizations is not adequate and does not cover the necessary hours of clinical practice. Trainees are responsible for completing the necessary hours. Clinical practice is confirmed through supervision (group or individual) by the Center and is ratified by the Centers’ senior trainer by written accreditation.

• Training Obligations

Trainees Obligations

Each year trainees are required to meet their training obligations

• Read each year’s recommended bibliography. Extensive debate and analysis of bibliography takes place in each seminar depending on the specific subject. Trainee’s knowledge is evaluated through oral and written group and individual papers.
• Participation in presentations, poster and group activities ( observation, supervision)
• Prompt turning in of journals and papers required for each year.

COURSE A: BASIC TRAINING

1st Year: Goals and Means of training

Goals

Emphasis is given on the trainee’s experiential work and interpersonal relations within the framework of the group dynamic. Trainees learn the history, origins and basic principles of Gestalt psychotherapy.

2nd Year: Goals and Means of training

Goals

In their 2nd year trainees continue their experiential work within the group deepening their personal development. In terms of theory they further explore the basic concepts of Gestalt therapy, such as phenomenology, theory of self, experiment and methodology.

At the end of the second year, there is a trainees’ evaluation process on both theory and professional skills. This process is necessary for the continuation and completion of the training program.

COURSE B: CLINICAL ORIENTATION

3rd Year: Goals and Means of training

Goals

During the 3rd year trainees gradually familiarize themselves with the methodology of Gestalt psychotherapy. Special emphasis is placed on issues of clinical practice and skills, diagnosis, psychopathology and ethics. From the 3rd year regular clinical practice and supervision, individual and group, is compulsory.

4th Year: Goals and Means of training

Goals

The final year of training focuses on the clinical application of Gestalt psychotherapy, trainee’s supervision and the development of their own style of practice. The program focuses and adjusts according to the trainees’ needs.

• Training Completion

With the successful completion of the required hours and the turning in of the required papers, the psychotherapy trainee acquires the necessary accreditation on the Gestalt Psychotherapy approach from the Center. This allows him to submit the necessary documents to EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and the NOPG (National Organization for Psychotherapy in Greece) to become a full member as well as the EAP (European Association for Psychotherapy) to acquire the ECP (European Certificate for Psychotherapy). Finally with the submission of the necessary documents he can become a member of the HAC (Hellenic Association for Counseling)

A trainee who has completed their 4 year training but hasn’t completed their obligations and hasn’t received accreditation from the Center is not allowed to use the title of Gestalt psychotherapist.

The maximum time limit within which a trainee is obliged to complete his obligations required by the training program is 7 years. This means 4 years of basic training and 3 more to cover all outstanding obligations.