Study course program

 DESCRIPTION:

• The course is a postgraduate specialization lasting 4 academic years: theory (lectures), practice (labs, simulations), group supervisions, training workshops, personal therapy, supervised practice, and clinical internship – see the detailed curriculum for details. (and link to subjects studied)
• The main objective of the course is to prepare candidates for the profession of Neo-Reichian Analytical Psychotherapist or Counselor.
• In addition to deepening the psychological knowledge acquired during a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in psychology, it builds upon it through mastering the rich toolkit of the Neo-Reichian complex body-mind integrative therapeutic approach to the unity of “body and mind”;
• The course teaches a specific method for working with clients – “Therapy of the Five Movements” created by Prof. Waldo Bernasconi. Our institute was accredited in 2012 and reaccredited in 2019 and 2026 by the European Association for Body Psychotherapy (EABP) to teach this method, and the final certificate bears the EABP seal.
• The course provides knowledge and practical skills across various domains of body psychotherapy, based on the theories of Waldo Bernasconi, Wilhelm Reich, and Alexander Lowen, updated with modern advancements in body psychotherapy and psychotherapy in general.
• The training is suitable for specialists or students in psychology, medicine, social sciences, and humanities, students at the academies of theatre and sports, and anyone with a serious and consistent interest in the field of psychotherapy. Candidates without a university degree in the aforementioned fields are recommended to complete an additional Master’s degree in psychology.
• A Psychotherapist Certificate can be issued to trainees holding a Bachelor’s degree in a field other than psychology, medicine, or other humanities if they present proof of a completed Master’s degree in psychology (which can be pursued concurrently with the specialization at the Institute). Otherwise, they receive a certificate for Counselor in Neo-Reichian Analytical Psychotherapy, without the right to practice independently as psychotherapists, but only as counselors under constant supervision by a Neo-Reichian supervisor. (Clarification: continuous supervision is generally required for all therapists throughout their professional lifetime).
• Throughout the training, trainees periodically undergo interviews with the Board of Directors to assess their personal maturity and readiness to continue their studies. They are observed by supervisors during training workshops, and their personal development is discussed by the Faculty Council. Personal maturity is evaluated by supervisors, trainers, and lecturers, as well as by the trainee's personal therapist at the end of each academic year. After the second academic year, before being granted the right to work under supervision, the Management Board reserves the right to terminate the training of students who have not reached the required level of personal maturity to practice. This decision is made following a discussion within the expanded Faculty Council, composed of lecturers, supervisors, and trainers.
• To ensure the quality of absorbtion, understanding, and consolidation of knowledge in Neo-Reichian Analytical Psychotherapy, trainees are not permitted to train in other psychotherapeutic modalities during their specialization at the INAP.
• The requirements of the Bulgarian Association for Psychotherapy mandate a total of 3,200 hours of training, of which 1,800 hours are recognized from prior university education in psychology, medicine, other humanities, or other specialized psychotherapy training. The remaining 1,400 hours represent the mandatory total number of hours for training in a specific therapeutic method. The total number of hours offered by our institute for training in this specific therapeutic method is 2,164.

 View the subjects studied by academic year on this page.

FEES AND PAYMENT:
The annual tuition fee is €2,880 (VAT included). It does not cover costs for personal therapy, supervisions (after the third academic year), elective courses, or accommodation and meals during the two five days training workshops. View current tuition fees and payment methods on the “Financial Plan” page.

FULL 4 YEARS STUDY COURSE PROGRAM
Lectures take up one weekend each month; see the program below.

The program also includes 2 six-day therapeutic workshops during each study year (a total of 8 over the whole study course). These are usually conducted in November in the countryside, close to a mountain, and in May, at the seaside. 

FIRST YEAR OF STUDIES

1. Introduction to body psychotherapy. Evolutionary psychology – Neo-Reichian model – Dora Prangadjiyska.
2. Dynamic psychology – Part I – Penka Hristova
3. General psychology in Neo-Reichian theory – Elena Eneva
4. Interpersonal communication – Desislava Karadzhova
5. Psychoanthropology – Madlen Algafari
6. Anatomy and physiology – Dr. Anton Darakchiev
7. Neo-Reichian psychodiagnostics – BBCT, BBI – Alexandra Algafari
8. Neurosciences – PsychoNeuroEndocrinoImmunology – Dr. Anton Darakchiev

SECOND YEAR OF STUDIES
1. Basic concepts in psychoanalysis – Todor Stefanov
2. Neo-Freudianism – Todor Stefanov
3. General psychiatry and psychopathology – Dr. Sibila Dimitrova
4. Dynamic psychology – Part II – Stanislava Toncheva
5. Psychopharmacology – Dr. Sibila Dimitrova
6. Medical psychology and professional ethics – Penka Hristova

7. General psychodiagnostics – Tinka Miteva
8. Simulations – two weekends.

9. Psychiatry internship – mandatory step for getting accreditaion to work under supervision

THIRD YEAR OF STUDIES
1. Group psychotherapy – Konstantin Petrov
2. Bioenergetics – Martin Cholakov
3. Psychopathology trhough Neo-Reichian paradigm – Tzanko Tzankov

4. Bioenergetic breathing and massage – Violina Aita
5. Simulations – 5 weekend modules
6. Group supervision – 6 two-hour evening modules

FOURTH YEAR OF STUDIES
1. Sexology – Denitza Ilcheva.
2. Psychosomatic medicine – Vania Nikova, M.D.
3. Psychoteraphy work with the Trauma – Hristina Bogdanova
4. Simulations – 5 modules
5. Group supervision – 6 two-hour evening modules

Breathing technics and bioenergetic massage – during the 8 trainings!

EXTRACURRICULAR COURSES
1. Neo-Reichian psychodiagnostics – practicum BBCT, BBI – Madlen Algafari
2. Theatre therapy – Madlen Algafari
3. Neo-Reichian approach to addiction therapy – Todor Stefanov, M.D.
4. Short-term therapies – Stanislava Toncheva
5. Art therapy – Tzvetelina Chobanova
6. Psychotherapeutic work with children – Tzanko Tzankov
7. Family therapy – the System approach – Desislava Karadzhova

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