Systemic Professional Formation
Experiential Professional Formation in Systemic Practice for psychotherapists, mental health counselors, and systemic practitioners in the Multi-level, Multi-focal, Dialectical-Systemic Approach
Who can participate?
Eligible candidates for the Experiential Professional Formation as psychotherapists primarily include Psychologists, Psychiatrists (both licensed and in training), Social Workers, and Psychiatric Nurses.
Additionally, individuals trained or working as Psychotherapists, Mental Health Counselors, or Systemic Practitioners (e.g., educators) with a background in Humanities and Social Sciences may join a customized program according to their academic qualifications and mental health training.
Program Structure
The Experiential Professional Formation consists of three cycles of experiential learning and systemic professional formation. Within the program, personal development groups and experiential learning are integrated through a dialectical process that connects personal growth with professional formation, as described by AKMA’s founders, George and Vasso Vassiliou.
1st Cycle
Introductory Training Cycle
This includes a two-year experiential seminar titled “Shaping a Systemic Approach,” attended weekly. Group processes form the core methodology, focusing on studying the Human Being as a bio-psycho-social-economic-cultural system, through their relationships in all living systems they are part of (e.g., family, workplace).
For participants from rural areas or abroad, a corresponding distance learning version is available with monthly meetings on Fridays (19:30–22:00) & Saturdays (09:00–14:30).
Forming a Systemic Approach
Systemic Thinking – Theory and Practice
A two-year experiential seminar designed for adults with broader life and professional experience, within the framework of the Dialectical–Systemic Approach.
2nd Cycle
Deepening Cycle
Can be attended concurrently with the second year of the Introductory Cycle, provided the participant is part of a therapy group. It includes the one-year program “Dialectical Systemic Applied Epistemology – D.I.S.E.F.E.” (two 3-hour meetings per month).
Through experiential group work, participants connect epistemological understanding of the systemic approach with real-life professional and scientific concerns. Sessions include Interprofessional Consultation and Supervision, and distance learning is also available.
Dialectical Systemic Applied Epistemology
3rd Cycle
Completion Cycle
This involves a three-year program in “Systemic Psychotherapy of Family and Groups” (a synthesis of previous modules). It includes experiential and theoretical components, continued therapy group participation, and supervised practice.
Practice may involve roles as a trainee therapist in couples, family, or group therapy, as well as group facilitation within the training program or community outreach.
Systemic Psychotherapy of Family and Groups
A three-year program combining theory and practice, with ongoing therapeutic group participation and supervised clinical work. Participants may facilitate or co-lead groups as part of the program or community interventions.
Parallel educational activities
At AIA, a series of experiential and professional formation seminars are offered on a recurring basis or developed in response to emerging needs. These seminars may be selected by participants to complement their professional development and personal interests. Indicatively, they include topics related to Children and Adolescents (e.g. “Training Seminar in the Facilitation of Children and Youth Groups”), research (e.g. the Systemic Research Laboratory – SERN), training in child and adolescent psychotherapy, the body (e.g. the Heart–Mind Group), conflict management (e.g. “Conflict Resolution Seminar”), the systemic approach to psychopathology (e.g. the “Transitions” seminar), and organizations.
Supervision – Interprofessional Consultation
This is primarily offered in group settings following the completion of the programme. It aims both to fulfill the required supervision hours set by professional scientific associations for membership accreditation and to support the ongoing enrichment of knowledge and professional development.
Parallel Educational Activities
AIA offers a range of recurring or needs-based experiential seminars, allowing participants to select those that best complement their professional development and personal interests.
These include: Youth & Adolescents: e.g., Training in Group Empowerment of Children and Youth, Research: e.g., Systemic Research Lab (SERN), Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Training, Body & Mind: e.g., Group K-N (Heart-Mind), Conflict: e.g., Conflict Resolution Seminar, Systemic view of Psychopathology: e.g., “Metakiniseis” Seminar, Organizations and Psychological Assessment
This seminar is addressed to mental health professionals and social scientists working with individuals and groups (including psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, social scientists, and educators) and is designed for participants aged 25 to 35.
Systemic Research Workshop
A year-long applied systemic research program (SERN) focused on designing and carrying out real-world, project-based research, where participants develop their own research projects with ongoing supervision and peer support, integrating research as a core dimension of systemic psychotherapeutic practice.
Supervision & Interprofessional Consultation
This seminar offers an introduction to Psychological Assessment as a specialized clinical tool used by psychologists in mental health and therapeutic settings. It combines theoretical grounding with practical and experiential learning, within a systemic–dialectical framework, highlighting its role in supporting and enriching clinical practice.
Transitions
International Certification
European Association for Psychotherapy
AIA is certified by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) and is a member of the Training Institutes Chamber of the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA-TIC).
Graduates of the full program (with the required hours of training, therapy, and supervision, as set by ELESYTH and EESKEPSO, members of the National Psychotherapy Association of Greece) are eligible to apply for the European Certificate of Psychotherapy.
The same applies to certified Mental Health Counselors.
For specific information, contact: eap@akma.gr