Training Program

Gignesthai | Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology

Integrated Four-Year Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy

Gignesthai offers a comprehensive Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy, consisting of four annual seminar cycles. The program aims to provide thorough, complete, and effective training for participants who engage actively and responsibly, preparing them to become future existential counselors and psychotherapists. The Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy, along with its detailed curriculum guide, is regularly updated and certified by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP).

Program Objectives

To provide the theoretical foundations of the Existential approach in Psychotherapy and Counseling
To facilitate the personal and professional development of trainees through the enhancement of self-awareness, interpersonal skills, and the personal integration of core existential concepts
To create a framework in which trainees can explore and further develop their own approach to Existential Psychotherapeutic and Counseling practice

Program Structure

The Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy is designed in accordance with the standards and requirements of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP), which it fully satisfies. It consists of two consecutive two-year training cycles: the Basic Cycle and the Clinical Cycle. At the end of the First Cycle, participants are evaluated by the trainers. Progression to the Second Cycle is not automatic and depends not only on academic performance but also on each participant’s personal growth, commitment, and active engagement during the first two years of the program.

After completing three years of study, participants are eligible to receive a certification as Mental Health Counselors, as the program meets the requirements of the Hellenic Society for Counseling. Upon completion of the second cycle — thus completing the full four-year program — participants may receive certification as Existential Psychotherapists, in accordance with all official standards of the Hellenic Society for Psychotherapy (EEPS) and the EAP.

Attendance Days and Hours

Attendance in the Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy is mandatory. Regular classes take place every Monday afternoon from 18:00 to 21:00 (extended until 22:00 on plenary session days). Additionally, once a month, a two-day seminar is held, also available online via webinar, focusing on a different topic each time. These seminars are scheduled on Fridays from 18:00 to 21:00 and Saturdays from 10:00 to 18:00.

Experiential Seminar Outside Athens

The Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy includes a three-day Experiential Seminar for each academic year, which requires the in-person attendance of all participants (attended jointly by all cohorts of the four-year annual seminar program). The three-day Experiential Seminar takes place on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, usually in the spring of each year, and the exact dates are announced at the beginning of each academic year, immediately after the official schedule of the Integrated Training Program is released.

Personal Development

In addition to their participation in the core requirements of the Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy, trainees are encouraged to attend related seminars in other approaches for continuing education and professional development.

A necessary requirement for the certification of a trainee as an Existential Psychotherapist is the completion of the following hours:

250 hours of personal therapy (125 hours per cycle), of which at least two-thirds (2/3) must be in individual or group psychotherapy with a certified therapist in the Existential approach. Previous therapy hours or therapy with practitioners of other approaches may be recognized for up to one-third (1/3) of the required total hours. It is highly recommended that personal therapy begins as early as possible, preferably in the first year, as it is a critical factor for personal development and greatly supports the educational process.
300 hours of clinical practice with cooperating institutions during the program or up to two years after its completion (80 of these hours are fulfilled through volunteer work during the four-year program). Clinical practice may begin in the third year of the training and requires the approval of the institution by the administration.
150 hours of clinical supervision (some of these hours may also be fulfilled through volunteer work during the four years).

Previous therapy hours, as well as clinical practice and supervision experience, can be recognized upon submission of certificates from the respective institutions and following approval by the administration.

Program Philosophy – A Brief Overview

Comprehensive and intensive training in all essential psychotherapeutic skills
Study and familiarization with all fundamental aspects of the existential approach, including Existential Philosophers, Existential Therapists, and key Existential themes
Utilization of art as a therapeutic factor

Training in Psychotherapeutic Skills

A significant part of the four-year Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy involves teaching and applying the various skills utilized by psychotherapists, regardless of their theoretical orientation. These include all the competencies that create a safe therapeutic frame, ensure ethical standards are met, and allow the therapist to listen effectively to the client. These skills and knowledge provide the foundational training of the student, preparing them to stand alongside clients in a therapeutic and beneficial manner. They are always based on the best practices outlined by the ethical codes of the Hellenic Society for Psychotherapy (EEΨE), the Hellenic Psychological Society (EΨE), and the Hellenic Society for Counseling (EEΣ), and draw upon findings from scientific research.

Training in Existential Psychotherapy

Gignesthai, the Hellenic Society for Existential Psychology, believes that there is no single way to become an existential psychotherapist. Students are first equipped with the foundational skills of counseling and psychotherapy, and then introduced to existential psychology in all its breadth. They are gradually encouraged to develop their own personal approach to practice. To achieve this goal, training at Gignesthai is based on the following core pillars of Existential Psychology:

Pillar One | Existential Philosophers
Existential psychotherapy is deeply rooted in philosophy. Over the course of the four-year program, students are introduced to the thinking of key existential philosophers, such as Kierkegaard, Nietzsche, Heidegger, Sartre, Camus, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, and others.

Pillar Two | Existential Psychotherapists
Students study both historical and contemporary existential psychotherapists through their writings and audiovisual materials, including therapy videos. Whenever possible, Gignesthai invites leading existential therapists to Greece, allowing students to engage directly with their work through presentations and experiential workshops.

Pillar Three | Existential Themes
Existential themes — such as freedom, responsibility, meaning, mortality, existential anxiety, and existential dread — are central to both existential psychology and philosophy. Students explore these themes both experientially, as part of their personal development, and theoretically, as part of their technical training in psychotherapy.

Pillar Four | Phenomenology
Phenomenology underpins much of existential philosophy and psychology. It is systematically integrated into the training, offering students a new way of perceiving both the world and the client, beyond conventional interpretations.

Pillar Five | Art and Existentialism
Existential approaches often find their richest expression through experiential engagement with art. At Gignesthai, art is used both as a powerful medium for exploring existential themes and as a unique opportunity for personal growth.

Program Entry Requirements

Psychology or Psychiatry Studies

Participation in the program requires a BA in Psychology or a specialization in Psychiatry.

Professional Biography

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.

Application of Interest

A letter (approximately 200 words) describing your personal reasons for wishing to pursue existential training in Psychotherapy and Counseling.

Two Recommendation Letters

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.

Individual Interview

Interviews take place each year on set dates in early September. The leadership of Gignesthai meets with prospective students who have first expressed their interest by phone or email and submitted their CV.

Application – Participation Agreement

Through this application – participation agreement, students confirm their intention to enroll in Gignesthai and participate in the Integrated Four-Year Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy. You can access and print the application – participation agreement from the PDF linked below.

Process for Participation

Those interested in participating in the program are required to express their interest by initially sending a recent curriculum vitae via email to: gignesthai@gmail.com and then contacting us on mobile: +30 697 7407505.

Academic Year 2025/2026

n the following link, you can find detailed dates and times of the program for the current academic year.

First Cycle of Studies

Duration: 2 years

Educational two-day workshops
70 hours per academic year
Therapeutic skills study group
72 hours per academic year
Educational plenaries
16 hours per academic year
Experiential seminar outside Athens
20 hours per academic year
Practice with volunteers
6 hours per academic year
Supervision of practice with volunteers
6 hours per academic year
Group supervision
16 hours per academic year

Total hours over two years: 412

Second Cycle of Studies

Duration: 2 years

Educational two-day workshops
70 hours per academic year
Therapeutic skills study group
72 hours per academic year
Educational plenaries
16 hours per academic year
Experiential seminar outside Athens
20 hours per academic year
Practice with volunteers
12 hours per academic year
Supervision of practice with volunteers
12 hours per academic year
Group supervision
16 hours per academic year

Total hours over two years: 436

Personal Development

Throughout the entire four-year program

Total hours over four years: 700

Degree Certification

Upon completion of the first three years of their studies, and having fulfilled the academic requirements corresponding to their initial degree, as well as the requirements for client work, supervision, and personal therapy mandated by the European and Hellenic Counseling Associations, trainees may submit an application to the Hellenic Counseling Association (EEΣ) for recognition of their title as Mental Health Counselors. Upon completion of the fourth year and the fulfillment of all educational obligations, trainees meet the basic requirements for recognition as Existential Psychotherapists.

Finally, after completing the required client work, supervision, and personal therapy stipulated by the European and Hellenic Psychotherapy Associations, trainees may submit an application for recognition of their title as Psychotherapists and obtain the European Certificate of Existential Psychotherapy.