THE MOTTO under which all our specialized courses are held is: `There is nothing more full of love than the Truth’ – St. Photios the Great (approx. 810 – approx. 890).

The President of our Association, Simona Ciobanu, PhD., has placed the entire activity of researching, creating and teaching the patristic psychology courses under this motto, since holding the very first course of Psychology and Psychotherapy within the Faculty of Orthodox Theology, in Iași, starting 2013.

THE GUIDING PATRISTIC PRINCIPLE which underlies the training of specialists and the organization of specialized courses is: ‘You cannot become doctor to another unless you are doctor to yourself.’

THE METHOD

The interdisciplinary methodology used in addressing the topics is the border research, a comparative approach which allows the identification of differences and similarities between the analyzed perspectives.

The applications used in each module allow direct access to the intrinsic dynamics of the topics addressed.

In addition to the interdisciplinary knowledge, applications and case studies, the course also contains a strong component of personal development on the line of acquiring inner skills and abilities in conjunction with the personal praxis.

OBJECTIVES

1. Teaching a new direction which advances a different way of conceptualizing the matter of the human psyche/ human soul in a new anthropological framework, Christology.

2. Acquainting students with this field of scientific research, with its method and practical applications, as well as with the new language, specific to the interdisciplinary approach.

3. In-depth research of the new perspective and of the working methods being taught (interdisciplinary, patristic, etc.)

CONTENT

By way of example, you can find below, some of the topics addressed within the course:

• Where are we? Framing the paradigm of patristic psychology in the contemporary scientific realm;
• The border research method and the concepts that ‘travel’ interdisciplinarily;
• The unconscious – interdisciplinary perspective;
• The defence mechanisms as destruction/ self-destruction mechanisms;
• Elements/ notions of inner anatomy;
• The process of Christ-actualization;
• On thoughts – interdisciplinary perspective;
• Application: the thought of envy;
• The tripartition: in psychoanalysis and patristic psychology;
• The heart according to the patristic understanding;
• On love: agape and eros;
• The faith and/ or the ability to entrust;
• Spiritual and emotional intelligence: patristic references;
• Application: the worry-restlessness couple and the difficulties of its diagnosis;
• Psychological and/ or spiritual illness versus psychological and/ or spiritual health.

ORGANIZATION

• The course is structured in nine modules;
• It usually follows the academic calendar structure (October – June);
• For additional information please visit: When will other courses be organized and how can I apply?
• They can be organized in physical and/ or online format;
• Taking part in the course requires attending all modules, signing a Course Regulation and Nondisclosure Agreement;
• Course completion does NOT involve obtaining a certificate of attendance or any other form of certification. The training of specialists in our Association follows a different path.
• For additional information please visit the section: TRAIN THE TRAINER.

COURSE ACCESS

• The course is not limited to those with specialized studies and can be accessed by persons who already have or acquire the quality of Active Sustainer of the Association;
• Priority is given to those who already have the Active Sustainer status, regardless of their previous academic training;
• Those who acquire the quality of Active Sustainer along with this course enrolment will additionally go through a preliminary interview during the selection phase;
• For additional information please visit the section: SUSTAINER.

LINKS

For additional information please visit the website sections below:

• When will other courses be organized and how can I apply?
• TRAIN THE TRAINER
• SUSTAINER
• What does it mean to be an Active Sustainer of the Association?
• How can I become an Active Sustainer of the Association?
• What are the benefits for the Active Sustainer of the Association?
• Do you provide a dedicated program for those with studies in the field of psychology/ theology?
• May I attend the courses if I am a student in psychology/ theology/ medicine?
• BROADCASTS