Konstantinidou Antonia

M.Sc. Clinical & Social Psychology (A.U.Th.). Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, member of EAGT and the National Psychotherapy Company of Greece. ECP holder (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Founding Member and Ex-President & Representative of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT).

Balliou Despina

Studies in Sociology at Panteion University of Athens and Psychology (B.Sc.) & postgraduate studies in Counseling Psychology (M.Sc.) at La Verne University of California.

Gestalt psychotherapist, trainer and supervisor, holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy).

Founding member of the Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy and Training Center and founding member of the HAGT (Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy).

Member of APA (American Psychology Association), member of the Hellenic & European Association of Counseling (HAC, EAC). Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and in particular member of EAGT’s Training Standards Committee. She was also member of the ECA’s Certification Committee. Training in relational Gestalt therapy at the Pacific Gestalt Institute and in the EMDR trauma therapy method. She is a certified trainer by EKEPIS (National Certification Center)

Works with adults, couples & groups. She specializes in issues related to trauma, abuse, loss, mood disorders, and personality disorders.

In recent years, she has been systematically involved in the planning, organization and supervision of educational programs, in the field of health professionals and interdisciplinary groups in social institutions, with specialization in trauma, mental health prevention and social responsibility. Coordinates educational and experiential workshops, as well as groups, with topics related to trauma, existential quests, relationship difficulties, emotional empowerment, etc., working through tangible experience, the principles of existential dialogue, art and creativity.

She has a deep interest in the relational - phenomenological - ecological - social perspective of Gestalt therapy theory for which she has published relevant articles and presented in lectures, scientific conferences and seminars.

She is the co-author of the book "Introduction to Gestalt Psychotherapy - Basic Concepts, Principles and Applications" (2011), published by Gestalt Foundation. She was the scientific editor of the Greek translation of the book "The Healing Relationship in Gestalt Therapy" by Rich Hycner and Lynne Jacobs with the Greek title «Η Θεραπευτική Σχέση ως Ίαση στην Ψυχοθεραπεία Gestalt”, (2018), published by I. SIDERIS, and of the book "The Art of Change" by Frans Meulmeester, Ioanna Rizou, George Stamatis, (2017), published by I. SIDERIS.

Hatzilakou Katia

M.Sc. Social and Clinical Psychology A. U. Th. Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, member of A.G.P. & EAGT (Ex-Chair of NOGT and External Relation of EAGT). Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Founding member of the Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy and Training Center, and founding member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT).

She works with adults, groups and couples.

For the last 10 years she has been focusing on Gestalt psychotherapy procedures related to the body. Coordinates movement groups and workshops, in collaboration with teachers of contemporary dance and primitive expression, as well as GestaltTango workshops. The workshops and groups are addressed at individuals interested in personal development as well as at mental health professionals at a supervisory level. Their main purpose is both the self-knowledge of the participants through contact with the body and their awareness through the social - voluntary offer with performances, which are organized at the end of each workshop.

She actively participates in the design, organization and implementation of educational, postgraduate and supervisory programs for professionals in the field of Mental Health and Human Sciences, with a dominant focus on Human Rights and the Suppression of Violence, which are her main interests. Coordinates the design and implementation of voluntary action programs in the community in collaboration with organizations, associations. She was a supervisor in a program of psychological support for women in XEN (Young Women’s Christian Association) in Thessaloniki as well as in the juvenile and women's prisons in Diavata, Thessaloniki in collaboration with EPATH ((Society for the Protection of Minors in Thessaloniki).

She was scientifically responsible for the design and evaluation of programs and educational materials in seminars on Health Education, Conflict Management and Human Rights for primary and secondary school teachers in collaboration with public and private bodies, such as the "”Experiential Workshop” aiming at raising awareness on issues of conflict resolution at school and with a focus on Human Rights" organized by the Hellenic Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs in collaboration with the Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy & Training center and under the auspices of the Hellenic National Commission for UNESCO, in 2009.

She is an active member of the Human Rights & Social Responsibility Committee of the EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Psychotherapy), whose purpose is to investigate the connection between Gestalt psychotherapy and the socio-political context, with special reference to the promotion of Human Rights.

She is the co-author of the book "Introduction to Gestalt Psychotherapy - Basic Concepts, Principles and Applications”, (2011), Gestalt Foundation publications.

Within the framework of a complete and organized training program on Gestalt psychotherapy and taking into account that the Bibliography on Gestalt psychotherapy in Greek was poor, Gestalt Foundation decided that it was necessary to publish a handbook introducing trainees to the Gestalt psychotherapy approach in their first steps of comprehension. To do so its founding members authored and published a handbook titled “INTRODUCTION TO GESTALT PSYCHOTHERAPY: BASIC CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS” (2011)

The handbook contains an introduction to Gestalt psychotherapy, a presentation of its basic concepts, principles and applications, based on a rich bibliography by acknowledged and well respected authors-teachers, Gestalt therapist and supervisors. It includes a retrospective on the Gestalt therapy history, its evolution through time and the range of its application. Finally it provides an extensive bibliography that is available to trainees in order to help them in their studies.

The Gestalt Foundation founding members, Yianna Yiamarelou, Antonia Konstantinidou, Despina Balliou, Katia Hatzilakou are responsible for writing and publishing this handbook, with the collaboration of the Centers’ standing training collaborator George Diplas and the help of Antigoni Orfanou, George Stamatis, Konstantinos Kostas and Hrisoula Stevi.

The Gestalt Foundation since very early on, by 2004, has decided to expand in the field of publishing.

This started with the biannual publication of the Centers’ newsletter “GESTALT FOUNDATION NEWS”, which includes texts on theory, a great number of articles, interviews and book presentations.

Always keeping in mind the need to enrich the Bibliography on Gestalt theory in Greek in 2015 the Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy & Training Center, decided to edit and reprint in Greek the book “Gestalt Therapy: Perspectives & Application” Edwin Nevis (Editor).

“Gestalt Therapy: Perspectives & Application” (2000) is a classic handbook which with its publication in 1992 marked a worldwide regeneration of interest in the study of the Gestalt therapy approach.

In this book Edwin Nevis, one of the most prominent authors, thinkers and Gestalt psychotherapist of the last 40 years, has made a clever selection from a series of essays, written by Gestalt therapist, that although maintain their individuality and uniqueness, have a common thread which is the clarity of perspective and commitment to the development and promotion of the Gestalt therapy model. It includes essays by: Ilana Rubenfeld, Sonia Nevis, Gordon Wheeler, Joel Latner, Robert Goulding, Joseph Zinker, Violet Oaklander, Joseph Melnick, Cynthia Harris and others…

Both of these books “INTRODUCTION TO GESTALT PSYCHOTHERAPY: BASIC CONCEPTS, PRINCIPLES AND APPLICATIONS” (2011) “Gestalt Therapy: Perspectives & Application”, Edwin Nevis, are available in the POLITEIA and IANOS bookstores as well as other selected bookstores throughout Greece.

The Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy & Training Center offers professional specialization programs on the Gestalt psychotherapy approach. The Centers main goal is to educate and teach the theory and methodology of Gestalt psychotherapy.

It emphasizes the assimilation of the principles and methodology of Gestalt psychotherapy by trainees in their practice and the development of their own style of work.

The programs aim to provide students with the necessary skills to evolve professionally and personally as an important part of their professional specialization aims at that.

Trainees gain insight on their personal growth and structure of interpersonal relationships. Within a secure environment, the challenges and the group dynamics, trainees explore new and more authentic ways of existing and coexisting.

PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM IN GESTALT PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

The program is addressed to Mental Health and Humanities University graduates (psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers etc.) and complies with the EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) educational criteria.

It is a 1450 hours training program, lasts 4 years and is divided in two courses:

Course A: Basic Training

Course B: Clinical Orientation

FLEXIBLE PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM IN GESTALT PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR PSYCHOTHERAPISTS

The Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy & Training Center practices a fundamental concept of Gestalt therapy, “creative adjustment” and in order to address current needs, created a new modified and flexible program offered by the Center in Thessalonica. It consists of thematically oriented subjects and is divided in two courses. Its goal is to teach the theory and methodology of Gestalt therapy.

The difference between this program and the already existing 4-year program is first the flexibility in the time of attendance and second that is organized thematically. Furthermore, the difference is that it remains open (Course A) throughout the current academic year.   

PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM IN GESTALT PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELORS

Mental Health Counseling is a separate established scientific domain that recently has seen a dynamic evolution and in our country. It applies in many aspects of an individuals’ life such as work, family, education, heath, society and wherever the needs of our modern world deem necessary.

Among the subjects that Mental Health Counseling deals with is self-awareness, self-fulfillment, psychological support, problem solving, intrapersonal and interpersonal conflict management, adjustment to change etc.

Our Centers’ program on Mental Health Counseling in the Gestalt approach is addressed to college graduates (sociologists, social anthropologists, teachers, physicians, nurses, lawyers, etc.), people with Bachelor degree on Counseling, Human Resources managers, Business consultants, artists and people with experience in Counseling or attendants other courses on Counseling in accordance to the training qualifications of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and HAC (Hellenic Association for Counseling).

PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM IN GESTALT PSYCHOTHERAPY FOR BUSINESS & ORGANIZATIONS COACHING (G.P.O.)

This program is addressed to psychologists, psychotherapists who work for corporations and psychologists, psychotherapists and mental health counselors who are interested to learn about how the Gestalt approach can be applied in the world of Corporations and Organizations.

It is also addressed to Gestalt counselors working for Corporations and Organizations (G.P.O.), to counselors, coaches and trainers also working for Corporations and Organizations, to executives who are responsible for the Human Resources development and to people holding managerial posts in Corporations and Organizations.

Based on the Gestalt approach the services that can be offered are:

Consulting, Coaching, Mentoring, Training, Supervision, in both individual and group level.

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL SPECIALIZATION PROGRAM ON GESTALT PSYCHOTHERAPY

The Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy & Training Center taking into account that the environment, science, technology and therefore society, people’s perception and attitudes are constantly modified, updated and evolving, feels that it is necessary for a psychotherapist and mental health counselor to continually educate himself.

The goal of the continuing professional specialization program is to further explore the theory and supervision as well as the development of professionals.   

The Gestalt Foundation, each year, organizes and offers a number of thematic workshops covering specific topics.

Issues such as loss, addiction, conflict, abuse, crisis management, group dynamics, Gestalt therapy in child development, stress management in the workplace, etc. are issues that a psychotherapist or mental health counselor faces constantly and needs to approach and explore with great care in order to acquire a deeper knowledge and experience. 

These workshops are designed for the Gestalt Foundations trainees as well as for mental health and Humanities professionals and university degree graduates that wish to familiarize with the theory, methodology and application of Gestalt psychotherapy on these issues.

For trainees the hours of attendance cover the required hours for their training program.

Each year the Gestalt Foundation organizes and offers a number of experiential workshops covering specific issues concerning human relations, emotions within a family or workplace framework.

These workshops are addressed to Gestalt Foundation trainees, to mental health and Humanities professionals as well as to individuals who would like a “taste” of the theory, methodology and application of Gestalt and furthermore to learn more about themselves, to experiment with more expressive forms of communication and contact on intrapersonal and interpersonal conflicts.

For trainees the hours of attendance cover the required hours for their program.

Recently the Gestalt approach has seen a rapid development in the world of organizations and businesses, because, as it also happens in the world of psychotherapy, increased emphasis is given on issues such as awareness, skill development, dialectic process that characterize Gestalt. 

The Gestalt approach application in the workplace is especially effective in issues concerning: Leadership, Communication, Creativity, Collaboration, Teamwork, Change, Conflict, Negotiations, Workplace Stress, Time Management, Crisis Management, Self Confidence etc.

Based on the Gestalt approach services that can be provided in Organizations are: Consulting, Coaching, Mentoring, Training, and Supervision in both individual and group level.

Workshops designed for Organization and Business are addressed to:

• Psychotherapists and psychologists working for organizations.
• Psychologists, psychotherapists and mental health counselors who are interested in learning how the Gestalt approach can be applied to the world of Business and Organizations.
• Gestalt counselors in Business and Organizations (G.P.O.).
• Counselors, coaches and trainers working for Business and Organizations.
• Executive responsible for Human Resources development (H.R.).
• Managers of Business and Organizations.

These workshops aim to help participants come in contact with the application of the Gestalt therapy principles in a workplace environment on issues such as power management, conflict, and malfunction in the communication within the organization, lack of participation and commitment to the organizations’ goals, resistance to change, etc.