Training Program

Gignesthai | Hellenic Association for Existential Psychology

Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy

Gignesthai offers a comprehensive Integrated Training Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy, organized on the basis of annual seminar cycles. The aim of the program is to provide thorough, well-rounded, and successful training for those who participate in it actively and responsibly, preparing them for their future development as Existential 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). Please note that the program is delivered entirely in Greek; therefore, a good command of the Greek language, both spoken and written, is required for participation. This ensures that trainees are able to fully engage in seminars, lectures, group discussions, and experiential exercises, all of which are conducted in Greek.

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 Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy has been designed in accordance with the standards and requirements of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP), which it fully meets. It consists of two seminar cycles: the foundational cycle and the clinical cycle. At the end of the first cycle, participants are evaluated by their instructors and supervisors. Progression to the second cycle is not automatic and depends not only on the participant’s academic development, but also on their personal growth, commitment, and presence within the program.

Upon completion of three cycles of the program, participants may receive a certificate of specialization as Mental Health Counsellors, as the program fulfills the requirements of the Hellenic Counselling Association. Upon completion of the second cycle, that is, upon full completion of the program, participants may receive a certificate of specialization as Existential Psychotherapists, in accordance with all the official standards of the Hellenic Society for Psychotherapy (EEΨΕ) and the EAP.

Attendance Days and Hours

Attendance in the Integrated Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy is mandatory. Participation in the program takes place every Monday evening, from 18:00 to 21:00 for each cycle separately, and jointly from 18:00 to 22:00 on the day of the monthly plenary session. 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 (all cycles of the program’s annual seminar course participate jointly in this session). 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 Program in Existential Counselling and Psychotherapy, participants in the program are encouraged to attend related seminars from other psychotherapeutic approaches as part of their continuing education and professional training. A necessary prerequisite for the certification of participants as existential psychotherapists by the EAP with the ECP certificate is also the completion of the following hours:

250 hours of personal therapy, of which two thirds (2/3) must be derived from individual or group psychotherapy with a certified therapist of the existential approach. Previous hours of therapy or therapy from other approaches are recognized up to one third (1/3). It is very important that personal therapy begins as early as possible, preferably from the first year, as it constitutes a particularly critical factor in personal development and significantly supports the learning process of specialization.
300 hours of clinical practice with collaborating institutions during the program or up to two years after its completion (36 hours of practical experience are fulfilled through work with volunteers, across the four cycles). The commencement of clinical practice takes place in the third year of the program and requires the approval of the institution by the administration of Gignesthai. Private cases may be included in clinical practice, but only up to 40 hours of therapeutic work, accompanied by corresponding supervision, maintaining the exact ratio defined by the EAP (1 hour of supervision for every 2 sessions).
150 hours of clinical supervision (36 hours of supervision are fulfilled through work with volunteers, across the four cycles). Clinical supervision may be provided either within the framework of the clinical practice itself, privately, or through a combination of both (if the institution or framework does not provide the exact required ratio of hours).

Previous hours of therapy, clinical practice experience, and supervision may be recognized upon submission of relevant certificates from the corresponding institutions and following their 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 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
The existential approach to psychotherapy is largely grounded in philosophy. Thus, during the program, participants will be invited to become familiar with the thinking of key philosophers associated with existentialism. Notable figures include Soren Kierkegaard, Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, Jean-Paul Sartre, Albert Camus, Maurice Merleau-Ponty, Simone de Beauvoir, and others.

Pillar Two | Existential Psychotherapists
Participants in the program will have the opportunity to become acquainted with nearly all of the most significant existential psychotherapists, both historical and contemporary. This acquaintance is facilitated through their published books and articles, as well as through the study of audiovisual materials, such as videos or therapy demonstrations. Whenever possible, we also strive to invite prominent existential psychotherapists to Greece, so that participants can engage directly with their work through presentations and experiential seminars.

Pillar Three | Existential Themes
Existential themes are those topics that recur throughout the extensive literature of both existential psychology and existential philosophy. Themes such as freedom, responsibility, meaning-making, mortality, existential anxiety, existential dread, and many others are studied throughout the program. The aim is to familiarize participants with these issues both experientially, as part of their personal development, and theoretically, as part of their technical training in the art of 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 are held annually on predetermined dates from late May to mid-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 Training Program in Existential Counseling and Psychotherapy.

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: info@gignesthai.gr and then contacting us on mobile: +30 697 7407505.

Academic Year 2025/2026

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

First Seminar Cycle

FOUNDATIONAL TRAINING

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

Total hours: 412

Second Seminar Cycle

CLINICAL TRAINING

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

Total hours: 436

Personal Development

DURING THE ENTIRE PROGRAM

Total hours: 700

Degree Certification

Upon completion of the three participation cycles in the program, having fulfilled the academic requirements according to their first degree, as well as the requirements for client work, supervision, and personal therapy mandated by the European and Hellenic Counselling Associations, participants may submit the appropriate application to the Hellenic Counselling Association (EEΣ) for recognition of their title as Mental Health Counsellors. Upon completion of the fourth cycle and fulfillment of all program obligations, the foundational requirements are met for the recognition of specialization 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.