Training professionals in essential skills is necessary in the areas of:

·applied art-based psychotherapy

·recognition and initial assessment of mental health difficulties

·design of interventions that can function in a supportive or complementary role within therapeutic settings

Art-based psychotherapy utilizes different forms of artistic expression as a means of exploring and processing an individual’s inner world. The creative process functions as a safe space for the expression of emotions and experiences that are not always easily articulated verbally.

This approach integrates elements from:

·psychodynamic theories

·cognitive-behavioural approaches

·humanistic models

·systemic and group therapy

and is applied through:

·visual arts

·music

·movement and dance

·theatre and drama therapy

Its uniqueness lies in the connection between the creative experience and the therapeutic process, enhancing self-awareness, emotional processing, and psychological resilience.

Knowledge

·Understand the basic principles of art-based psychotherapy

·Recognize key indicators of mental health difficulties

Skills

·Select appropriate techniques according to the target population

·Design and implement brief psychotherapeutic interventions

·Facilitate individual and group sessions

·Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions

Competency

·Integrate practices of social prescribing

The programme aims to enhance knowledge in the approach of psychotherapy through the arts, providing trainees with all the necessary tools to acquire knowledge and skills related to cultural prescribing and to respond to the needs of the labour market.

Art-based psychotherapy is a contemporary and continuously evolving approach, which in recent years has gained particular importance within the European and international context of health and mental health care. In particular, the concept of cultural prescribing (social prescribing) is increasingly being institutionalised in European countries, including Greece, as an innovative practice that connects health with participation in cultural and artistic activities.

Cultural prescribing is based on the recognition that participation in the arts and culture can have both preventive and therapeutic effects on mental health, contributing to the reduction of anxiety, depression, social isolation, and other psychosocial difficulties.

Interested parties submit an application online on the website of the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Applications for participation can be submitted by:

-Graduates and students of Psychology Departments

-Graduates and students at Schools of Health Sciences

-Graduates and students at Schools of Fine Arts

-Graduates and students of Humanities

-Graduates and students of Social Sciences

The Application must be accompanied by the following supporting documents:

1.University degree or Certificate of Studies

2.Curriculum Vitae (CV)

3.Motivation Letter

4.Certificate of English language proficiency (B2 level)

Prerequisites for participation in the program:

► Internet access

► Possession of personal e- mail

► Basic computer skills

Selection will be made based on priority order.

In the event that the minimum required number of trainees is not reached, KEDIVIM reserves the right to change the start date of the program or even cancel it.

Blended learning method with in-person classes held at the premises of the “Center for Science, Art, and Family – SyZeuxi” and online classes.

·Principles and Techniques of Cultural Prescribing (10 hours)

·Applied Short-Term Psychotherapy (10 hours)

·Psychotherapy and Drama Therapy (5 hours)

·Psychotherapy and Dance (5 hours)

·Neuropsychology and Expression through Art (5 hours)

·Gender Identity, Gender-Based Violence, and Psychotherapy (5 hours)

Participants are provided with digital educational material covering all teaching units of the programme. The material includes lecture summaries in PDF format, accompanying PowerPoint presentations, recommended bibliography, and links to selected online resources. In addition, self-assessment exercises and practical application examples are provided, aiming to enhance understanding and the practical use of the knowledge acquired.

A. Trainee Obligations:

1.Participation in the KEDIVIM AUTH programs implies full acceptance of the program’s Study Guide and the Internal Operating Regulations of KEDIVIM AUTH .

2.The presence of trainees in educational programs is mandatory. In programs implemented in person, as well as in those implemented using the modern distance learning method, attendance is generally mandatory and the absence limit cannot exceed 10% of the scheduled training hours. The attendance of asynchronous education is implemented according to the study schedule defined by each program.

3.To successfully complete the program, participants must:

·the percentage of absences should not exceed 10% of the scheduled training hours,

·have successfully completed the prescribed examination,

·have paid the full tuition fees prior to the commencement of the courses

B. Trainee Rights:

1.Trainees are informed by the Administrative Support Department of KEDIVIM about any kind of information related to the operation of the Center.

2.Trainees are supported electronically through the educational platform by their instructors , within the framework of the educational process, to resolve questions and provide clarifications related to the thematic modules of the program.

3.Trainees have the right to request the interruption of the program and the refund of tuition fees, in accordance with the provisions of article 12.9 of the Internal Operating Regulations of KEDIVIM AUTH

4.The work of the trainees is protected under intellectual property provisions.

After successful completion of the program, participants are awarded a Certificate of General Training, which is issued by the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and signed by the President of KEDIVIM.

Participants who attended, but did not complete the entire program, have the option of being provided with a Certificate of Attendance.