Group Therapy Program
Gignesthai | Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology
Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling
Gignesthai offers a comprehensive Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling, consisting of two annual seminar cycles. The program is designed for practicing psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors, and psychotherapists who wish to fully develop their individual and interpersonal skills in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling. Through intensive training and experiential practice, participants are invited to study the main approaches to group psychotherapy, with a particular emphasis on the existential approach and phenomenological methods, while gaining valuable knowledge and hands-on experience. The primary aim of the program is to provide thorough theoretical and practical familiarity with the organization, coordination, and management of psychotherapy groups.
Program Objectives
- To provide a comprehensive framework for collective exploration of group psychotherapy and counseling practice and supervision, aiming to deepen participants’ theoretical and practical knowledge
- To enhance personal growth, particularly interpersonal skills, by facilitating and promoting self-awareness through interaction with other participants
- To foster a broader understanding of existential issues, encouraging both personal and collective engagement with existential concerns within the group dynamic, with a focus on the phenomenological approach
Program Structure
The Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling consists of two annual seminar cycles of 100 hours each. Upon completion of both annual cycles, participants will be eligible to receive a Certificate of Studies in Group Psychotherapy from Gignesthai, the Hellenic Society for Existential Psychology, which will cover the required hours of theory, supervision, and part of the total practical training required by the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA).
Attendance Days and Hours
Attendance at the Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling is mandatory and includes approximately two five-hour sessions per month. Classes for participants in the first seminar cycle take place on Fridays from 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (16:00–21:00), while for those in the second seminar cycle, they take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (10:00–15:00) at Gignesthai’s facilities in Marousi. The program also includes an annual 10-hour marathon, usually held at the end of each academic year. The total number of hours of theoretical and supervised practical training per academic year is 100.
Personal Development
In addition to attending the core sessions of the Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling, participants are encouraged to attend related seminars in other approaches for their continuing education and professional development. Mandatory requirements for certification of a participant include the following:
- Writing and submitting to the trainers a monthly journal in which they record their experiences from participating in the program, including any challenges encountered.
- Completing 300 hours of practice in Group Psychotherapy or Counseling during the program or up to three years after its completion (125 hours of supervised practice are covered during the two cycles of the Specialization Program).
Previous hours of group practice may be recognized upon submission of certificates from the respective settings and approval by the administration.
Program Philosophy – A Brief Overview
- Comprehensive and intensive training in all the skills required for the organization and management of therapeutic and educational groups
- A holistic approach focusing on the integration of theory and practice, with the phenomenological method as the primary guiding principle
- Teaching of all fundamental principles of group psychotherapy, including a review of pre-existing theories, collective processes, and phenomenology
- Utilization of art as a therapeutic medium
Advancement of Psychotherapeutic Competencies
A significant part of the two-year Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling involves the development and reframing of the use of numerous skills employed by a psychotherapist, regardless of their initial theoretical orientation. These include all the skills that establish the therapeutic framework, provide safety, and focus on the phenomenological understanding of each experience.
Training in Group Psychotherapy
Gignesthai, the Hellenic Society for Existential Psychology, believes that there is no single way to practice Group Psychotherapy and Counseling. Therefore, students are encouraged, once they have acquired the foundational skills of Group Psychotherapy and Counseling, to discover their own personal way of working. The following axes provide a comprehensive foundation for the Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling and are considered essential for developing not only competent but also sensitive and ethically attuned therapists.
Pillar One | Theoretical Foundations
Study of the main theories of group psychotherapy (e.g., psychodynamic, humanistic, behavioral, cognitive, etc.). Introduction to the principles of group dynamics and the processes that shape groups as a whole.
Pillar Two | Phenomenology
Deepening of the phenomenological approach with a focus on the subjective experience of participants. Analysis of the lived experiences and interactions within the group.
Pillar Three | Skills for Group Management
Development of group management skills, such as active listening, guidance, and support. Training in conflict resolution and promoting positive interaction within the group.
Pillar Four | Management of Group Dynamics
Understanding the developmental stages of a group (e.g., formation, storming, norming). Analysis of the roles assumed by group members.
Pillar Five | Experiential Workshops and Exercises
Participation in a variety of experiential exercises to practice skills and understand group processes. Exploration of personal issues that emerge through the group experience.
Pillar Six | Application of Therapeutic Techniques
Training in specific therapeutic techniques used in group therapy (e.g., drama therapy, art-based approaches, creative expression). Strategies for integrating art and creativity into the overall group process.
Pillar Seven | Ethical and Professional Issues
Emphasis on exploring the importance of ethical and value-based standards in group psychotherapy. Management of trust, confidentiality, and other ethical issues within the group.
Pillar Εight | Clinical Supervision and Reflection
Systematic supervision of all clinical practice within the program. Reflection and self-evaluation of the therapist’s or counselor’s practice.
Program Entry Requirements
The program is intended exclusively for active psychiatrists, psychologists, mental health counselors, and psychotherapists who have received relevant training from a certified institution.
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 the Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling.
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.
By submitting this application – participation agreement, the student declares their intention to enroll in ‘Gignesthai’ to participate in the two-year Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling.
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
The meetings are held approximately every second Friday of the month at the Gignesthai facilities in Marousi and require the mandatory attendance of all students enrolled in the program. Below you can find the detailed dates and times for the Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling for the current academic year 2025/2026.
Cycle A sessions: 16:00 – 21:00
Cycle Β sessions: 10:00 – 15:00
- October: Friday, 03.10.2025 and 24.10.2025
- November: Friday, 07.11.2025 and 28.11.2025
- December: Friday, 05.12.2025 and 19.12.2025
- January: Friday, 09.01.2026 and 23.01.2026
- February: Friday, 06.02.2026 and 20.02.2026
- March: Friday, 06.03.2026 and 20.03.2026
- April: Friday, 03.04.2026 and 17.04.2026
- May: Friday, 08.05.2026 and 15.05.2026
- June: Friday, 12.06.2026 and 26.06.2026
Marathon session (10 hours): The exact date for each cycle’s participants will be announced during the academic year.
Two Fully Completed Cycles of Theoretical and Practical Training
Each lasting one year
- Theoretical presentations
- Skills practice
- Educational exercises
- Experiential exercises
- Practice in small & large groups
- Practice feedback
- Group feedback & supervision
Total hours over two years: 200
Degree Certification
Upon successful completion of both annual seminar cycles, having submitted all required journals, and provided they have fulfilled the required hours of practice and supervision as detailed in the Study Guide of the Specialization Program in Group Psychotherapy and Counseling, participants will be eligible to receive their certificate of completion from Gignesthai as Group Psychotherapists.
Furthermore, if they complete the additional required hours of practice and supervision beyond the program—within a total of five years from the start of their studies—they will fully meet the theory, practice, and supervision requirements set by the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA), enabling them to apply for Full Membership in the American Group Psychotherapy Association and thereby obtain official recognition and certification of their title.