Psychotherapy is a type of professional procedure that ranges from the aim of treating patients suffering from psychological, psychosomatic, or psychosocial distress or imbalance to enhancing the quality of life for clients who wish to discover a better relationship with themselves and others.
It involves a unique form of interpersonal communication between two individuals or within a group, using both verbal and non-verbal methods of understanding and communication. Psychotherapy employs specific forms of knowledge and skills based on an understanding of mental health and pathology, aiming to positively influence people.
Its goals include changing attitudes and behaviors related to problematic areas of personal and social conduct, alleviating symptoms, and eliminating as many conditions causing distress as possible. Additionally, it seeks to reshape limiting personality patterns linked to dissatisfaction or stress, encourage the client to reorganize their experiences and expressions, or to develop intrapsychic and interpersonal integration, thus enhancing the quality of experiences and relationships with others.
Logotherapy is one of the important and established psychotherapeutic modalities, also known as the "third Viennese school of psychotherapy." It introduces something new and unique to psychotherapy: the understanding that a person is not only a physical and mental being but also a spiritual one, with this spiritual dimension defining the essence of human nature. Starting from the spiritual needs of individuals, logotherapy seeks to answer fundamental existential questions. Its techniques help people reflect on their lives and their purpose. It illuminates our sense of meaning and the awareness that we have the freedom to choose our path, even in times of hardship and suffering.
Logotherapy is a therapeutic approach that helps people find personal meaning in life. It is a form of psychotherapy focused on the future and on our ability to endure suffering by seeking meaning. Viktor Frankl, a psychotherapist and neuropsychiatrist, developed logotherapy after surviving Nazi concentration camps in the 1940s. His experiences and theories are detailed in his book, *Man's Search for Meaning*.
Frankl believed that people are motivated by what he called the "will to meaning," the desire to find meaning in life. He argued that life can have meaning even in the most unfortunate circumstances and that the motivation for life comes from this search for meaning.
Frankl’s meaning-centered psychotherapy is one of the most significant psychotherapeutic concepts of our time. This is partly because it does not focus solely on disorders or problems. Once disorders are overcome, problems are solved, and health is restored, the question always arises: *What should I do with my health now?* In other words, problem-focus and meaning-focus must be balanced.
Frankl strongly supported empirical research, and in 2016, a systematic review of research evidence related to logotherapy highlighted its correlations with various aspects of human life, including:
- The connection between the presence of meaning in life,
- Searching for meaning and life satisfaction, happiness,
- Lower sense of meaning in life among patients with mental disorders,
- The search for meaning and the presence of purpose as a resilience factor,
- The relationship between meaning in life and suicidal thoughts among cancer patients,
- The effectiveness of logotherapy programs for adolescents with cancer,
- The effectiveness of logotherapy in treating depression in children,
- The effectiveness of logotherapy in reducing work burnout and the empty nest syndrome,
- The correlation with satisfaction in romantic relationships.
> "Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way."
> — VIKTOR FRANKL, MD, PhD
Dr. Klemen Kobal
Doctor of Psychology and Logotherapy; Psychotherapist
Dr. Klemen Kobal, father of three children, is a Doctor of Psychology (Psy.D.), specialized in the field of logotherapy. He also completed a subspecialization in child and adolescent psychotherapy. He is a professor and professional leader of the Academy of Logotherapy Psychotherapy (APL), where training in logotherapy and existential therapy is provided, including a five-year specialist program and a specialist study of psychotherapy in sports.
In his psychotherapy work, he focuses on individual, partner, family and group psychotherapy, with a special emphasis on sports psychotherapy, where he has been working with top Slovenian and foreign athletes for many years. His professional knowledge and understanding of psychological processes in top sports have contributed to winning Olympic medals and world champion titles.
Dr. Kobal also works in the field of addiction treatment, eating disorders, burnout, depression, anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, borderline personality disorders, relationship problems and psychosis (schizophrenia, bipolar disorder). He holds a master's degree in sports law, ethics and prohibited substances in sports, and completed his specialist study of psychotherapy at the Viktor Frankl Institute under the mentorship of Dr. Cvijeta Pahljina, MD, specialist in psychiatry, according to the standards of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) and the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna.
As a personal fitness trainer, he connects the physical, mental and spiritual aspects of a person. In addition to clinical work, he also consults in companies and organizations, where he uses logotherapeutic approaches for the development of leaders, teams and personal growth. She regularly participates in professional supervision and further education and follows the ethical code of the APA (American Psychological Association) and DVP e.V. (German umbrella association for psychotherapy).
She provides psychotherapy in Radomlje Slovenia, if necessary also in the field or remotely (Zoom, Teams...).
We offer various forms of individual therapeutic treatment. As an internationally accredited institution, we provide therapy based on Viktor Frankl's method.
Viktor Frankl’s meaning-centered psychotherapy is one of the most significant psychotherapeutic concepts of our time. Its importance lies in the fact that it does not focus solely on disorders or issues. Once disorders are overcome, problems resolved, and health restored, the question always arises: *What should I do with my health now?* In other words, there must be a balanced focus between problem-solving and meaning-seeking.
> "Everything can be taken from a person but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way."
> — VIKTOR FRANKL, MD, PhD
Clinical psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach focused on diagnosing and treating mental disorders and emotional difficulties in individuals. This form of psychotherapy is conducted by trained professionals who utilize various therapeutic techniques and methods to assist individuals in understanding and overcoming their issues.
Family psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that focuses on the dynamics and relationships within a family. This form of therapy aims to resolve conflicts, improve communication, and strengthen interpersonal connections among family members. Family psychotherapy recognizes that individual problems often manifest within the family system and that familial relationships are crucial for the mental health of all members.
Couples psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach designed for partners seeking to improve their relationship, overcome challenges, or better understand each other. The primary goal of this therapy is to help couples develop healthy communication patterns, enhance emotional connection, and resolve conflicts in a constructive manner. Couples therapy often involves discussions about feelings, expectations, and needs of both partners, with the professional support of a therapist.
Psychotherapy for adolescents is a therapeutic approach aimed at addressing the challenges that young people face during the adolescent period. This phase is often filled with changes, pressures, and emotional challenges, as adolescents develop their identities, confront social and academic expectations, and form important relationships. Psychotherapy can help them manage these challenges and teach healthy coping strategies for dealing with difficulties.
Clinical dietetics in psychotherapy is a field that combines the principles of nutritional science with psychotherapeutic methods to help individuals improve their mental and physical health. The connection between diet and mental health is increasingly recognized, as nutritional habits significantly influence emotional states, energy levels, cognitive abilities, and overall well-being. In clinical dietetics within psychotherapy, dietitians and psychotherapists focus on a holistic approach to treating individuals.
Psychotherapeutic treatment of eating disorders is a crucial approach to addressing various forms of eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, and other unhealthy eating patterns. Eating disorders are complex conditions that involve psychological, emotional, and social factors, necessitating a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at changing both behaviors and thought processes.
Sports psychotherapy is a specialized field of psychotherapy that focuses on the mental health, emotional well-being, and psychological development of athletes. By integrating psychotherapeutic techniques with an understanding of sports and its impact on individuals, sports psychotherapy assists athletes in overcoming stress, enhancing performance, developing mental resilience, and maintaining a balance between their athletic commitments and personal lives.
Performance supervison in sports involves structured monitoring and guidance of athletes, coaches, and support staff to enhance performance, maintain well-being, and create a productive sporting environment. Effective performance in sports integrates elements of training, mentoring, and feedback mechanisms that support both personal and professional development.
Business psychotherapy is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed for individuals and groups seeking to enhance their mental health, productivity, and relationships within the business environment. The goal of business psychotherapy is to support individuals in managing stress, improving interpersonal skills, increasing self-confidence, and developing a healthy work-life balance.
Psychotherapy of business ethics is an innovative field that combines principles of psychotherapy with business ethics, aiming to promote healthy, ethical, and sustainable practices within the business world. It is based on the belief that personal development, ethical reasoning, and emotional intelligence of key individuals in an organization positively influence the ethical culture of the company, thereby improving not only the performance of the business but also the well-being of employees and the broader community.
Supervision in psychotherapy is a process in which a therapist reflects on and improves their work under the professional guidance and oversight of an experienced supervisor. It is a key component of professional development, as it helps therapists refine their techniques, make ethical decisions, and gain a better understanding of the complexities of the therapeutic process.
Gajeva ulica 18
1235 Radomlje, Slovenia
Academy for Psychotherapy and Logotherapy (hereinafter referred to as the Academy) offers publicly non-accredited postgraduate studies in psychotherapy. It is an internationally accredited institution by the largest global organization in the field of logotherapy and existential analysis, the Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna.
The Academy is a member of the:
- World Association for Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy (WAPP)
- British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)
- German Association for Psychotherapy (DVP e.V. - Deutscher Dachverband für Psychotherapie e.V.),
- International Association of Mental Health in Sport.
The Academy adheres to ethical and professional standards set by the American Psychological Association (APA) and the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP). The Academy fundamentally supports the theory, methods, and practice of psychotherapy based on logotherapy and existential analysis, both recognized psychotherapeutic modalities. These are also known as the "third Viennese school of psychotherapy," focused on humanity's "will to meaning."
This approach introduces something new and unique to psychotherapy: the understanding that a person is not only a physical and psychological being but also a spiritual one. The spiritual dimension is seen as central to defining human essence. Responding to spiritual needs, it seeks to address fundamental existential questions. Its perspectives, methods, and techniques aid individuals in reflecting on their lives and purpose. They help clarify our sense of meaning and awareness that we possess the freedom to choose our path, even in times of hardship and suffering.
Logotherapy consists of three pillars: the freedom of will, the will to meaning, and the meaning of life. Building on these foundations, the Academy develops a unique multimodal approach to psychotherapy, including performance psychotherapy in sports.
The Academy hosts esteemed domestic and international lecturers and other experts, who bring their years of experience through a personal approach and interdisciplinary collaboration. Additionally, the Academy actively develops, advocates, and promotes a multimodal approach to psychotherapy.
MULTIMODAL PSYCHOTHERAPY SPECIALIST STUDY BASED ON LOGOTHERAPY AND EXISTENTIAL ANALYSIS
start: October 2024, February 2025, May 2025, October 2025, ...
SPECIALIST STUDY PERFORMANCE
PSYCHOTHERAPY IN SPORT
start: October 2024, February 2025, May 2025, October 2025, ...
SUPERVIZIJA
Gajeva ulica 18
1235 Radomlje, Slovenia