ACADEMY FOR PSYCHOTHERAPY AND LOGOTHERAPY (APL)
Radomlje, Slovenia, European Union
Specialist Program in Psychotherapy
Master of Pastoral Counseling (MPC)
Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Return to the P.R.I.M.E. Partner List
The Academy for Psychotherapy and Logotherapy (APL) is a postgraduate educational institution based in Slovenia, dedicated to education, research, and professional development
in the fields of psychotherapy, logotherapy, existential analysis, counseling, supervision, adult education, and human development.
APL offers a five-year Specialist Program in Psychotherapy. The program is based on Viktor E. Frankl’s Logotherapy and Existential Analysis and incorporates contemporary knowledge from
psychotherapy, psychology, psychopathology, medicine, ethics, and related disciplines.
As an accredited educational institution of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna, APL contributes to the development of logotherapy, existential analysis, and meaning-centered professional
practice throughout Europe.
The program follows the European model of psychotherapist education and includes three fundamental dimensions of professional development:
• theoretical education in psychotherapy,
• supervised psychotherapeutic practice,
• personal experience and personal development of the therapist.
The program is designed in accordance with the Psychotherapy Act of the Republic of Slovenia, which defines psychotherapy as a regulated and licensed healthcare profession in the Republic
of Slovenia, a member state of the European Union.
ACADEMIC PATHWAY BETWEEN APL AND GTF
Within the P.R.I.M.E. partnership between the Academy for Psychotherapy and Logotherapy (APL) and the Graduate Theological Foundation (GTF), students have the opportunity to
combine European specialist education in psychotherapy with international master’s and doctoral studies offered by the Graduate Theological Foundation.
The Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL is structured in two interconnected phases:
Phase I – Academic and Theoretical Formation (Semesters 1–5)
Phase II – Advanced Professional Formation (Semesters 6–10)
This structure enables students to progressively develop academic knowledge, professional competencies, supervised clinical practice, personal growth, and advanced psychotherapeutic
competencies.
MASTER OF PASTORAL COUNSELING (MPC)
Applicants holding a completed Bachelor’s Degree may enroll in the Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL and simultaneously apply for admission to the Master of Pastoral Counseling (MPC) program at the Graduate Theological Foundation.
Admission requirements include:
• a completed Bachelor’s Degree,
• a successful admissions interview,
• two letters of recommendation,
• admission to the APL program,
• admission to the Graduate Theological Foundation.
The first phase of the Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL (Semesters 1–5) consists of advanced postgraduate education in:
• logotherapy and existential analysis,
• psychology,
• developmental psychology,
• psychopathology,
• psychiatry,
• medical sciences,
• foundations of research,
• professional competency development,
• reflective professional development.
The program includes approximately 900 contact hours of theoretical instruction, as well as seminars, workshops, study assignments, practical exercises, and independent academic work.
To earn the Master of Pastoral Counseling (MPC) degree, candidates must, in addition to successfully completing the first phase of the Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL, complete:
• two courses from the Graduate Theological Foundation curriculum,
• a research methodology course or equivalent requirement,
• an integrated master’s project prepared in accordance with the academic standards of the Graduate Theological Foundation.
A distinctive feature of the APL–GTF partnership is the integrated master’s project. Students prepare a single master’s project that simultaneously fulfills the academic requirements of both
the Graduate Theological Foundation and the APL program.
Upon successful completion of all requirements, students are awarded the degree:
Master of Pastoral Counseling (MPC)
conferred by the Graduate Theological Foundation.
DOCTORAL PROGRAMS
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
The Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.) programme is intended for professionals working in psychotherapy, counseling, mental health, and related fields.
The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) programme is designed for research-oriented professionals who wish to contribute to the development of psychotherapy, logotherapy, existential analysis,
counseling, and related academic disciplines.
The Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) programme is particularly suitable for teachers, educators, and educational professionals who wish to integrate psychotherapeutic and counseling knowledge into educational leadership, teaching, and professional development.
After completing the MPC degree, students may continue their academic journey through doctoral studies at the Graduate Theological Foundation.
As part of the doctoral pathway, students complete the second phase of the Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL (Semesters 6–10), which serves as an advanced professional formation
and doctoral preparation component.
This phase includes:
• supervised psychotherapeutic practice,
• individual and group supervision,
• personal development and experiential work,
• autobiographical and reflective work,
• clinical case studies,
• development of advanced professional identity,
• integration of theory and practice,
• advanced study of logotherapy and existential analysis,
• applied clinical and professional work.
Students complete a minimum of 700 hours of supervised psychotherapeutic practice, together with extensive supervision, personal development, and advanced professional training.
The advanced professional formation component provides a level of academic and professional preparation comparable to advanced doctoral preparatory studies within the PRIME pathway.
Admission requirements for doctoral programs generally include:
• a completed master’s degree,
• successful completion of the Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL,
• a minimum of five years of professional experience in psychotherapy, counseling, psychology, pastoral counseling, education, spiritual care, or related fields,
• a successful admissions interview,
• two letters of recommendation,
• admission to the Graduate Theological Foundation.
Doctoral candidates complete:
• two courses from the Graduate Theological Foundation doctoral curriculum,
• a research methodology course or equivalent requirement,
• a doctoral project or doctoral dissertation with oral defense, depending on the selected program.
Upon successful completion of all requirements, candidates may earn the following degrees:
• Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.)
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
• Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
conferred by the Graduate Theological Foundation.
MODE OF STUDY
The Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL is delivered online.
For students from Slovenia, instruction is conducted in the Slovenian language.
For international students and students from other countries, instruction is conducted in English.
A mandatory component of the program is supervised psychotherapeutic practice. Each student must complete a minimum of 700 hours of supervised psychotherapeutic practice during the course of study. Practice is generally completed in the student’s country of residence or professional activity.
All academic requirements of the Graduate Theological Foundation, including courses, research methodology, master’s and doctoral projects, and communication with supervisors, are conducted in English.
The APL faculty consists of psychotherapists, supervisors, physicians, researchers, university professors, and other professionals with extensive international experience. Special emphasis is placed on integrating theory and practice, personal development, ethical responsibility, and interdisciplinary collaboration.
APL is also internationally recognized for its work in performance psychotherapy and performance supervision in sports and has contributed to the development and support of Olympic champions, world champions, elite athletes, and teams competing at the highest international levels.
INDIVIDUAL INFORMATION SESSION
Any applicant interested in the Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL and the possibility of pursuing master’s or doctoral studies through the Graduate Theological Foundation may request an individual information session at:
referat.apl@ko-dam.si
The purpose of the session is to present the complete APL–GTF academic pathway, admission requirements, program structure, supervised practice, supervision, master’s projects, doctoral
programs, and other academic and administrative requirements of both institutions.
The information session enables applicants to develop an individualized educational pathway based on their previous education, professional experience, and career goals.
ADMISSIONS AND TUITION INFORMATION
For information regarding the Specialist Program in Psychotherapy at APL, admission requirements, program organization, supervision, clinical practice, and tuition, please contact:
Academy for Psychotherapy and Logotherapy (APL)
Gajeva ulica 18
1235 Radomlje
Slovenia, European Union
APL Admissions Office
Email: referat.apl@ko-dam.si
APL Director
Dr. Klemen Kobal
Email: klemen.kobal@team11.si
Website: www.psychotherapy-logotherapy.com
For information regarding Graduate Theological Foundation degree programs, admission requirements, academic regulations, tuition, and administrative procedures, applicants should contact the Graduate Theological Foundation directly.
Students participating in the joint APL–GTF academic pathway fulfill their financial and administrative obligations separately with each institution in accordance with the policies and requirements of the respective institution.