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THE SCHOOL OF PSYCHOTHERAPY

The School of Specialization in Strategic Brief Psychotherapy, since its foundation in 1988, has been based on the methodology of learning by doing, that is, learning by doing.
The course, of a decidedly applicative-training nature, favors the direct experience of treatment of clinical cases andlearning by training strategies for change and therapeutic communication. All this in the concrete context of psychotherapy.

You will receive training carried out in the concrete context of psychotherapy, rather than in artificial contexts of narration or just simulation of therapy. A true school of psychology, with real patients on which to effectively apply the psychotherapeutic model of Prof. Nardone's school.

Recognized by the Ministry of Education, University and Research ( MIUR - DM 20/11/2000), the school has also signed a protocol of agreement with the Order of Psychologists of Tuscany. At the end of the Four-year Specialization School in Psychotherapy Strategic Brief a diploma will be awarded enables the exercise of psychotherapeutic activity pursuant to art. 3 of law n ° 56 of 18.02.1989.

The qualification to the profession of psychotherapist is equivalent to that of university specialization schools for the purposes of participation in public competitions (Ddl 4732 approved on November 3, 2000), for the positions of: psychologist for the discipline of Psychotherapy and Doctor or psychologist for the discipline of Psychotherapy.

Come and visit us atOpen day or request information e participate in the selections for the Psychotherapy school of the Brief Strategic Therapy Center. The number of admitted members is limited, fill in the application form. Don't miss your chance to become a brief strategic psychotherapist.

Starting dates for the academic year
2025

Dates Open Days

6 April 2024 in attendance
Online May 5, 2024
8 June 2024 in attendance
September 22, 2024 online
October 12, 2024 in presence

Dates for entrance exams

June 11 2024

Frequency
2 days a month (during the weekend)

Locations
Arezzo and Florence

Nardone Giorgio photo

PROF. GEORGE NARDONE

Director of the School

Giorgio Nardone, principal school teacher he is the founder of the Strategic Therapy Center of Arezzo. The center founded together with Paul Watzlawick, (of which Nardone is a student and recognized heir) where he carries out his activity as a Psychotherapist. Today it is considered, internationally, the most prominent figure in the tradition of the Palo Alto school.

Giorgio Nardone is recognized both for his creativity and for his methodological rigor. This synthesis between "the artist" and the "scientist" which allowed him to create dozens of innovative therapeutic techniques and to formulate specific treatment protocols, some of which are real "Best practice" of psychotherapy as in the case of obsessive and compulsive phobic disorders and eating disorders.

His application theoretical formulations are considered a real "school of thought" to which scholars and professionals all over the world are inspired.
It has held for decades conferences and seminars specialists and has presented his work so far in over 36 countries in the world.

PRESS & MEDIA

WHAT THE STUDENTS SAY ABOUT US

The Strategic Therapy Center

The Strategic Therapy Center of Arezzo is the research, training and psychotherapy institute founded in 1987 by Giorgio Nardone and Paul Watzlawick.

And also seat of the Postgraduate School of Specialization for Doctors and Psychologists in Brief Strategic Psychotherapy (Brief Strategic Therapy Giorgio Nardone's Model) officially recognized by the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), for the release of the title of Psychotherapist.

The Institute was founded with the aim of evolving the model of Mental Research Institute of Palo Alto (Brief Therapy) in the direction of a more advanced therapeutic technology that would allow greater results in terms of efficacy and efficiency of treatments and make it adaptable to different cultures and fitting, thanks to strategies and tricks built "ad hoc", to the most important forms of psychopathology.

This initial project has consolidated further 30 research projects realized that have led to the development of as many original therapeutic protocols that currently represent, in many cases, the best practice in the sector.

In this way, the original model that applied indifferently to all forms of disturbance has become a differentiated model that fits the therapeutic solutions to the different psychopathological persistences.

At the Strategic Therapy Center in Arezzo they were treated directly by Giorgio Nardone or under his supervision over 25.000 patient cases from all over the world;

Most of these therapies have been videotaped and made up the most important archive of clinical cases existing in the field of psychotherapy. The studies carried out on the sample show a general efficacy of the model equal to 89% of cases and an efficiency equal to an average duration of the therapies of 7 sessions. Furthermore, the differential efficacy shows that for some psychopathologies the Model stands out even more in the results.

All this has made the Strategic Therapy Center of Arezzo the world reference point for brief strategic psychotherapy and change-oriented communication.

The clinical model

The brief strategic approach to therapy is evidence based (Szapocznik et al., 2008) and is recognized as a best practice for some important psychopathologies.

Model, formulated by Paul Watzlawick and evolved by Giorgio Nardone (Brief strategic therapy, Giorgio Nardone Model), as well as being empirically and scientifically validated (Nardone, 2015; Pietrabissa, Gibson, 2015; Nardone, Salvini, 2014; Castelnuovo et al., 2011; Watzlawick, 2007; Jackson et al. 2018) in the span of over 25 years, has led, as evidenced by the numerous publications that have emerged, (see annotated bibliography), to the formulation of advanced short therapy protocols, composed of innovative techniques built ad hoc to unlock the particular types of persistence of the most important psychic and behavioral pathologies.

From the very first meeting with the patient, the model is oriented towards change, in fact, a classic diagnosis procedure is not used but an advanced diagnosis-intervention technique: the strategic dialogue.

This protocol for conducting the first interview allows you to transform, through a sequence of specific techniques (strategic questions, restructuring paraphrases, evocative formulas and final prescriptions), into a process of research-intervention which leads patient and therapist to the joint discovery of "how" the problem works and "how" it can be solved.

Based on this, at the end of the first session the therapeutic indications fitting to the presented disorder. At the following interview, the effects produced both by the therapeutic dialogue and by the prescriptions to be implemented will be evaluated.

Depending on the results, we proceed to the next phases of the model if these were positive, otherwise we analyze what did not work, re-adjusting the therapy based on the responses to the maneuvers applied.

The focus of a brief strategic psychotherapy is the restructuring and change of the patient's rigid perceptions that induce his pathological reactions. To achieve this, the intervention is aimed at interrupting the vicious circle between the failed solution attempts implemented by the patient that feed the disorder and its persistence sustained precisely by such counterproductive reactions. Therefore, the dysfunctional "attempted solutions" must be replaced with others capable of breaking the pathological balance and transforming them into healthy and functional ones.

Therapeutic strategies and stratagems fitted to the problematic situation and to the specific form of expression of the disorder. As already mentioned, the number of therapeutic techniques developed and formalized by Giorgio Nardone and his collaborators that cover most of the forms of pathology encountered in psychotherapy is abundant.

Parallel to these strategies and stratagems, particular forms of therapeutic communication, capable of circumventing the resistances to change typical of every human system, in particular "performative" communication, the language that makes you feel as well as understand and the 'injunctive' communication, that is the suggestive language to prescribe actions or thoughts to which the patient would usually object.

This is what Paul Watzlawick called "Hypnotherapy without trance".

If the therapeutic intervention produces the desired effects, we proceed to the phase of consolidation of these through a process of redefining the changes made and the resources and abilities that the patient has shown he can put into play.

All with the aim of guiding him to conquer the complete autonomy and personal independence. For this purpose, every technique used is also elucidated in such a way that the now former patient can treasure it for his future.

The training course includes, in line with the provisions of the Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR), theoretical hours, practical hours, exercises, examination of case studies, hours of individual study. This activity is always carried out under the supervision of the Scientific Committee and is led by the teaching staff.

The School of Specialization in Strategic Brief Psychotherapy, based on the premise of learning by doing, is mainly structured on application work, with most of the hours dedicated, after an initial theoretical training, to the study of videotape and real clinical practice.

FIRST TWO YEARS

In addition to the hours dedicated to basic theoretical teaching, in the first two years the work is mainly focused on the study, together with the teacher, of videotapes concerning therapies completed from the first to the last session on individual pathologies. Each case is analyzed session by session communication, relationship and technique used for the treatment and resolution of the case.

Particular attention will be paid to the clinical interview technique which in brief strategic therapy is at the same time diagnosis and intervention, since it is able, already in the first session, to modify and restructure the perception of the person with respect to their problem.

SECOND TWO YEARS

Subsequently, during the third and fourth years each student will have the opportunity to follow, in co-therapy with Giorgio Nardone, from three to five patients and will be able to observe the therapies carried out by the Director of the School through the closed circuit of cameras so as to be able to enter into the heart of their profession.
The cases followed and completed will be the object of the final elaboration of the Specialization thesis.

DURATION OF THE COURSE AND ATTENDANCE

The specialization school in Brief Strategic Psychotherapy has a duration of 4 years.
The beginning of the academic year is in January and ends in December, interspersed with a one-month summer break.

Lessons are organized on weekends, two lessons per month on Saturdays or Sundays plus a whole weekend (Saturday and Sunday) every two months, in order to allow attendance to those who are professionally engaged during the week.

A minimum attendance of 70% of the total hours is required.

For admission to the School of Specialization in Brief Strategic Psychotherapy, a Degree in Psychology or Medicine and Surgery and registration in the respective Professional Registers are required. Graduates not yet enrolled in their respective registers may also be admitted, who pass the state exam in the 1st session following the start of the course.

Admission requires an assessment of suitability formulated on the basis of a motivational interview, the psychological maturity of the candidate and personal aptitude for learning the strategic approach to therapy.

ADMISSION EXAM

To register, it is necessary to pass the admission exam on the scheduled dates.

The applications for admission to the exam, which can be downloaded from the following page, must be sent by registered post no later than one week before the exam date, together with the following documents:

  • Degree certificate, with list of exams taken, (to be sent later in the case of undergraduates)
  • Certificate of enrollment in the order of Psychologists or Doctors (or declaration of being able to take the state exam within the first useful session and to be aware that in this case any admission will take place with reserve).
  • A documented curriculum, academic, scientific and job qualifications
  • Two passport photos and a copy of an identity document.

Available places will be assigned according to the exam result.

SUBSCRIPTION FEE

4,200 euros per year (possible installments to be agreed upon enrollment).

For information and registration:
Riccardo Falsetti
Commercial manager

Tel: 392 / 5588548
Email: info@centroditerapiastrategica.com

REFERENCE TEXTS RECOMMENDED FOR THE ADMISSION TEST

RESEARCH AND PUBLICATIONS

OUR OPEN DAYS

The Strategic Therapy Center opens its doors to graduates in Psychology and Medicine who wish to learn about the four-year course of Specialization in Brief Strategic Psychotherapy (Brief Strategic Therapy, Giorgio Nardone's Model).

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Why enroll in a Psychotherapy School

 

 

Consideration n ° 1 (ethics)

Helping others is the best job in the world, but you have to know how to do it.
Most people who choose to become psychologists are motivated by a great desire to contribute to the well-being of others, to help people in need, to exercise empathy and solidarity. But all this, alas, is not enough to help. The great motivation behind the choice to be a "psy" is of little use if it is not supported by specific skills and technical learning on "how to do it".

All these aspects that, unfortunately, are not provided during the 5 years of university studies. It therefore becomes essential for the young graduate to provide for a real post-graduate training that will provide him with the indispensable tools to carry out his profession in the best possible way. And there is no more comprehensive training than that provided by a good graduate school.

Consideration n ° 2 (economic)

Helping others is the best job in the world, but as a job you have to be able to live in it.
The number of psychology graduates is constantly on the rise and, unfortunately, so too is that of young psychologists who end up in unskilled jobs or that have nothing to do with their studies. Unfortunately, one cannot live on "diagnosis" and "psychological rehabilitation" alone: ​​too much competition, inadequate health and social policies, and many other reasons that go beyond this discussion.

If a psychology graduate wants to make a living from his job, he needs a recognized qualification and a clear position in the world of work. The figure of the psychotherapist is now widely recognized and more and more people are looking for help of this type as an alternative to that of a pharmacological type. In short, psychotherapy can be lived and also well, doing the work for which you have studied and that you love with effectiveness and satisfaction.

Consideration n ° 3 (strategic)

Helping others is the best job in the world, but you need concrete and effective tools to do it.
Many young psychologists favor short postgraduate courses, such as masters, often out of the need or the illusion of saving time and money. In reality, the master chosen as an alternative to psychotherapy school only apparently represents a saving, because it does not provide a preparation similar to that of a school (and in this world you have to be very prepared if you want to work) nor the title necessary to stand out. from others. Therefore, it is better to “leave later to arrive earlier”, choosing a specialization school that provides concrete and effective tools to carry out the profession well.

Hence the choice of the type of specialization school is also fundamental. After a university course lived entirely on books, it is essential that the psychotherapy school provides training "in the field". A school that allows students to see real therapies (possibly live or at least on video), to be able to enter co-therapy with an expert therapist, to have real interaction with patients, allows them to acquire those tools and skills that no reading of books can guarantee.
Words are powerful (and dangerous) therapeutic tools like a scalpel, reading a book on how to use them is not enough to know how to do it.

Combining the 5 years of university with another 4 years of theory alone will make you obtain the title of psychotherapist, but it will not enable you to compete successfully in the world of work. When choosing the specialization school, therefore, pretending to know how the 4-year training path is organized, participate in the open days that most schools organize today, talk to students and alumni, in order to be sure you are choosing a truly qualifying path.

Consideration n ° 4 (purely personal)

Helping others is the best job in the world.
Going to a psychotherapy school is an intense, beautiful, enriching experience. Anyone who leaves a psychotherapy school without having been profoundly transformed by it or has gone to the wrong school, or has not learned anything.
From my 4 years of graduate school in psychotherapy I have not only taken away the passion and skills with which I have been carrying out my work for almost 20 years, but also the most important friendships of my life, the desire to continue studying and form myself, the desire to constantly improve myself.

Thanks to those 4 years I learned to do the best job in the world, the one I wish each of you to be able to do because, as Confucius said, "Choose the job you love and you will never work, not even for a day in the whole your life".

Roberta Milanese (Psychologist-Psychotherapist, Specialist in Brief Strategic Psychotherapy.

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