Propaedeutics of Psychotherapy and Theotherapy
Level of Study
Postgraduate Study
Duration of Study
3 semesters
ECTS Credits
90 ECTS
Professional or Academic Title
Specialist in the Propaedeutics of Psychotherapy and Theotherapy
About the Programme
After the Croatian Parliament adopted the new Act on the Practice of Psychotherapy (Official Gazette 18/22, in force since 17 February 2022), it became clearer who may practice psychotherapy, that is, who may be a counselling therapist and a psychotherapist. In accordance with this, and aware of the need for completed propaedeutics of psychotherapy, we wish to enable all individuals who are interested and meet the prerequisites to attend the programme in the propaedeutics of psychotherapy at the Faculty of Catholic Theology in Đakovo, and to create opportunities for them, should they wish, to continue their professional development at individual psychotherapy schools. In addition, practitioners tell us that the subject of religion and spirituality, as well as the view of the human being from a transcendental perspective, is one of the key topics in the process of counselling and psychotherapy, which is consequently reflected in the second part of the programme title, namely theotherapy.
The study curriculum, in accordance with the Programme and the Regulations on the Study of Propaedeutics of Psychotherapy, developed by the Croatian Association of Psychotherapy Associations (SPUH), provides basic education in the fields of psychology, medicine (psychiatry), social work, and rehabilitation sciences. It encompasses a body of knowledge, skills, and practical training necessary for the practice of psychotherapy in cases where a participant in psychotherapy education does not meet the requirements of the necessary graduate-level education. Based on the proposal of the committee for the initiation of this study programme, the programme also includes compulsory theological courses, whose contribution lies in the study of anthropology from religious and theological perspectives, i.e., the essential role of the human relationship with God in the care of mental health.
The programme is designed to last three semesters and would include fifteen (15) compulsory courses in the fields of theology, psychology, psychopathology, and psychotherapy (540 hours of classes and 180 hours of professional practice).
Participants would also be required to choose two (2) out of three (3) offered elective courses (with 35 hours of lectures and 10 hours of seminars each) and to prepare a final paper.
The aim of the programme is to provide participants with the necessary education in the propaedeutics of psychotherapy and to expand knowledge about the importance of the human relationship with God so that they may acquire part of the necessary requirements for obtaining the title of “counselling therapist”, part of the requirements for obtaining the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP) issued by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP), as well as knowledge of the modern understanding of the human being in the context in which he or she lives, with a focus on spiritual and religious movements.
Advantages
- the only one in the Republic of Croatia at the postgraduate study level
- the first such programme based outside Zagreb, the first at Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
- availability and financial accessibility of the specialist study programme for participants from the region of Slavonia
- raising community awareness of the need for preventive investment in the mental health of individuals in connection with spirituality
- a response to the need for an interdisciplinary approach in addressing the needs of individuals in society
- fulfilment of prerequisites for creating opportunities for self-employment (counselling therapist) with additional completed specialization in a specific psychotherapeutic approach
- opening up to new needs and approaches in dealing with psychological problems
- advancement of knowledge and skills of those working with people, as well as pastoral workers, and the acquisition of competences for personal empowerment and for helping individuals with psychological difficulties and needs
- preventive investment in mental health
- familiarization with the basic principles of theotherapy, psychological and spiritual development, biological theories of personal development, personality traits, fundamental psychological characteristics of individuals with various impairments, and spiritual dynamics as important factors in overall human development
- to raise awareness of the importance of ethical conduct in the field of providing psychological assistance to people
- practice in health and psychosocial institutions, acquisition of knowledge and skills in the field of various preventive and curative approaches to the mental health of the individual and the community
- through individual and group supervisory work, participants, by sharing experiences and knowledge, learn ways of providing psychological and spiritual assistance
- individual consultations with a mentor for the preparation of the specialist thesis
- knowledge, insights, attitudes, and skills are acquired in the fields of Christian anthropology, psychology, and spirituality, applicable in various individual, social, and institutional contexts such as educational institutions, parishes and pastoral communities, marriage and family counselling centres, counselling centres for victims of domestic violence, and others
- involvement of external stakeholders – Specific competences relate to the understanding of psychological processes in life and work difficulties, distinguishing psychological from spiritual illnesses, connecting civil and church professionals in providing assistance, and cooperating with institutions dedicated to mental health care
Study Programme
p = weekly lecture hours
s = weekly seminar hours
v = weekly practical hours
k = workload coefficient according to ECTS
1st SEMESTER
| No. | Course | Lecturers | p | s | v | k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Relational Understanding of the Human Person in the Biblical Perspective | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Silvana Fužinato, Dr. Ivan Benaković | 35 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2. | General Psychology | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Josip Bošnjaković, Assist. Prof. Dr. Marija Milić | 20 | 10 | 4 | |
| 3. | Theories of Personality | Prof. Dr. Boris Mlačić, Prof. Dr. Marija Heffer, MD | 25 | 20 | 4 | |
| 4. | Biological Basis of Mental Processes | Prof. Dr. Dunja Degmečić, MD; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Irena Labak; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Senka Blažetić | 20 | 10 | 4 | |
| 5. | Specifics of Scientific Research in Psychotherapy | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Grgo Grbešić, Prof. Dr. Silvija Ručević | 20 | 10 | 4 | |
| 6. | Ethical Issues in Psychotherapeutic Work | Prof. Dr. Stjepan Radić, Monika Ećimović, MA in Educational Psychology | 25 | 15 | 4 | |
| 7. | Elective Course I | — | 35 | 10 | 5 | |
| TOTAL | 255 | 85 | 30 |
2nd SEMESTER
| No. | Course | Lecturers | p | s | v | k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Theological-Pastoral Anthropology | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boris Vulić, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Stanislav Šota, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Šimo Maršić, Prof. Dr. Dunja Degmečić, MD | 35 | 10 | 5 | |
| 2. | Psychiatry | Prof. Dr. Božidar Popović, MD; Mr. Sc. Jugoslav Gojković, MD; Marko Tomičević, Specialist in Psychiatry, Subspecialist in Child and Adolescent Psychiatry | 60 | 30 | 8 | |
| 3. | Rehabilitation | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sanja Skočić-Mihić | 25 | 20 | 4 | |
| 4. | Psychotherapy Theories and Schools | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Josip Bošnjaković | 20 | 10 | 4 | |
| 5. | Developmental Psychology | Assist. Prof. Dr. Marija Milić, Assist. Prof. Dr. Sandra Smoljo-Dobrovoljski | 35 | 10 | 4 | |
| 6. | Elective Course II | — | 30 | 10 | 5 | |
| TOTAL | 300 | 90 | 30 |
3rd SEMESTER
| No. | Course | Lecturers | p | s | v | k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Coping with Pain and Suffering in the Light of Christian Anthropology and Spirituality | Prof. Dr. Vladimir Dugalić; Prof. Dr. Suzana Vuletić | 30 | 10 | 5 | 5 |
| 2. | Socio-Cultural Context of Psychotherapy | Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ivica Pažin; Dr. Zoran Vargović; Assist. Prof. Dr. Drago Jerebic | 20 | 10 | — | 4 |
| 3. | Practice in Health and Psychosocial Institutions: — min. 60 hours in psychiatric institutions; — min. 100 hours in other institutions (20 in preschool institutions, 20 in school institutions, 30 in social welfare institutions, 30 in organizations for outpatient care and mental health) | — | — | — | 160 | 10 |
| 4. | Practice Supervision – Tutoring Groups (20 hours) | — | — | 20 | — | 1 |
| 5. | Writing and Defense of Final Thesis | — | — | — | — | 10 |
| TOTAL | 255 | — | — | 30 |
Offered Elective Courses (student chooses 2)
| No. | Course | Lecturers | p | s | v | k |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | Understanding the Human Person in Religious Dialogue | Assoc. Prof. Davor Vuković, PhD | 35 | 10 | — | 5 |
| 2. | “Psychopathological” Deviations of Religiosity and Ecclesiogenic Neuroses | Prof. Suzana Vuletić, PhD | 35 | 10 | — | 5 |
| 3. | Borderline Situations in Spirituality and Psychology | Assist. Prof. Josip Blažević, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Zvonko Pažin, PhD; Mr. Stjepan Matezović; Prof. Suzana Vuletić, PhD | 35 | 10 | — | 5 |