Our Philosophy
Existentialism focuses on the fundamental aspects of human existence, where each person is a unique, distinct, irreplaceable, and unrepeatable being, inextricably connected to others and to the ‘World’.
Our Trainers
Both the founders and the trainers of ‘Gignesthai’ possess extensive experience in Existential Psychology, with numerous distinctions, academic contributions, and publications in their field.
Our Certifications
‘Gignesthai’ holds all the necessary certifications from the relevant national and European authorities and has been honored with the Charlotte & Karl Bühler Award by the American Society for Humanistic Psychology.
Gignesthai | Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology
Over 20 Years of Experience
in Existential Practice and Training
Gignesthai 2004/2026
A beautiful journey that continues to unfold
‘Gignesthai’, the Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology, was founded in 2004 by a small group of four colleagues and friends — Evi Dalla, Eugenia Georganta, Katerina Zymni-Georgalou, and Alexis Charisiadis — sharing common interests and a commitment to the existential approach. The society was established to study and apply the existential approach in psychotherapy and counseling, emerging from the conviction that the fundamental questions posed by existentialism are crucial and defining in everyone’s life.
Gignesthai | Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology
Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy
Gignesthai, the Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology, as a European Accredited Psychotherapy Training Institute (EAPTI) in the Existential Approach, recognized and certified by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP), offers a Integrated Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy. The Integrated Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy comprises four autonomous and self-contained annual seminar cycles which, taken together, fulfil the necessary requirements for the attainment of the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP) awarded by the EAP. Each cycle commences in September of the respective academic year. Grounded in its overarching educational philosophy, the Integrated Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy places equal emphasis on the personal development and enrichment of participants’ experiences and on the advancement and deepening of their knowledge. Teaching within the Existential Approach is oriented towards creating an educational framework in which each member of the program is encouraged to explore and develop their own personal approach to existential psychotherapeutic practice. The program is delivered entirely in Greek, and a good command of the Greek language, both oral and written, is a prerequisite for participation. This level of linguistic proficiency enables full engagement in seminars, lectures, group discussions, and experiential exercises conducted in Greek. It should also be emphasized that the Integrated Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy is a long-term and demanding course that entails a range of challenges necessary for the thorough preparation of a future Existential Psychotherapist, both academically and personally. Consequently, it requires a conscious commitment on the part of participants, both to the program as a whole and to its individual components.
During their attendance in the Integrated Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy, participants will be required to attend or take part, either in person or online, in the total number of hours specified below, while at the same time ensuring the commencement or completion of their individual therapy (which is a program requirement), as well as the completion of the required hours of clinical practice and supervision in a setting of their own choice.
Coursework Hours
Workshop Hours
with Volunteers
for the Practicum
Gignesthai 2026/2027
Dates and Hours for the
Academic Year 2026/2027
Follow the link below for detailed information on the admission interview dates, the monthly online two-day seminars, and the plenary sessions and therapeutic skills study groups scheduled for the current year of the Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy.
Program Entry Requirements
Find here all the required documents to be submitted with your expression of interest for the final evaluation and approval of your admission to the Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy.
The Integrated Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy is intended exclusively for final-year Psychology students and for individuals with academic backgrounds in Psychology or Psychiatry.
It may include references to your undergraduate and, if applicable, postgraduate studies, your work experience, and possibly a brief summary of skills and personal qualities that you feel best characterize you.
A letter (approximately 200 words) describing your personal reasons for wishing to pursue existential training in Psychotherapy and Counseling.
Letters can be provided by former or current professors, psychotherapists, supervisors, or employers. They should offer a written assessment of your abilities, knowledge, skills, and personal qualities that are relevant to your studies in this program.
Interviews with applicants wishing to participate in the Integrated Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy are conducted throughout the year by the Gignesthai administration. Prior to the interview, however, prospective participants are required to express their interest by email and submit a recent CV to: info@gignesthai.gr
By submitting this Application for Participation, applicants confirm their intention to enroll at Gignesthai and participate in the Integrated Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy.
Gignesthai strives to provide equal opportunities to all individuals interested in the program and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, age, family status, or disability. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and participate in the program.
Gignesthai | Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology
Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling, with a focus on the Existential Approach
Gignesthai announces the commencement of a new cycle of seminars of the Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counselling for the academic year 2026/2027. Participants in the program will have the opportunity to study the principal approaches to group psychotherapy, with particular emphasis on the Existential Approach and the phenomenological way of working. The program aims to provide all participants with both theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the organization, facilitation, and management of psychotherapeutic and counselling groups. The program consists of two autonomous and self-contained cycles of annual seminars, each comprising 100 hours, which fully cover the requirements in theory and supervision, as well as a substantial part of the practical training, as defined by the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA). The Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counselling is intended for practicing psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counsellors, and psychotherapists, regardless of their theoretical orientation, who wish to further develop their individual and interpersonal skills and acquire valuable experience and knowledge in group psychotherapy and counselling through intensive teaching and experiential practice.
The new Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling requires the in-person attendance of participants. The meetings take place at Gignesthai’s facilities in Marousi, approximately every second Friday of the month, with each training day combining theory and experiential practice.
Gignesthai | Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology
Meet the Founding Faculty Team and the Program’s Trainers
Evgenia Georganta
Psy.D., ECP | Psychologist
& Existential Psychotherapist
Katerina Zymni
ECP | PhD in Clinical Psychology,
Panteion University
Alex Charisiadis
M.Sc. | PhD in Clinical Psychology,
Panteion University
Gignesthai is currently under the direction of its three founding members: Eugenia Georganta, Psy.D., ECP, Katerina Zymni-Georgalou, Ph.D., ECP, and Alexis Charisiadis, Ph.D., M.Sc. All three possess extensive teaching experience in the existential approach, with numerous and significant publications in articles and books on existential psychotherapy. They frequently organize and participate in conferences and seminars in the field, while at the same time they have built a substantial professional path as existential therapists as well as supervisors for other psychotherapists.
GIGNESTHAI 2026/2027
Our Trainers
In addition to its three founding faculty members, Gignesthai is supported by a larger team of psychologists and existential psychotherapists, each with extensive experience in training the existential approach for counseling and psychotherapy.
A journey of a thousand miles… begins with a single step!
LAO TZU