History

The College already counts more than 3 decades of history. Its roots date back to 1987 when the Institute of Person-Centred Greece was founded by three academics and intellectuals.

30+

Years of history in education

The history of our College is inextricably linked to the development of counselling and psychotherapy in Greece.

 In 1989 the Polly Iosifidi, specialized in Person-Centered Counseling and Psychotherapy, the Dr. Julius Iosifidis, Professor Emeritus of the University of Athens and the Dr. Charles Devonshire, a close associate of Carl Rogers, found the Institute of Person-Centred Approach Greece, the first institution to offer professional training in Person-Centred Counselling and Therapy in our country and one of the five in Europe (the others are in Italy, France, England and Switzerland).

From 1994 onwards, the Institute has been at the forefront and participates with other institutions in the establishment of the Hellenic Society of Counselling (Polly Iosifidi was the first president), of the European Society of Counselling, of National Society of Psychotherapy of Greece, of World Association for Person-Centered and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling, of European Network of Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling Organisations, while at the same time joining as an organisational member of bodies such as European Society for Psychotherapy, ο British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and many others.

The evolution has been unstoppable through the years. But in 2008, ICPS joins the limited list of licensed colleges in the country. Responding precisely to the requirements of the College Recognition Act, ICPS is now investing, shaping and moving all of its operations to an ultra-modern building of 1.200 sq.m, within walking distance from the Metro station "Ag. Antonios" in Peristeri, Attica.

Since then, the College has been bringing to Greece and developing 13 additional innovative programmes of the University of Central Lancashire, with which it has been collaborating since 2007. From specialised first degrees (Bachelor's) in Psychology, to unique postgraduate programmes such as those in Forensic Psychology and Psychosexual Therapy.

In 2022, the College will move to new, larger facilities in the centre of Athens (Neos Kosmos), in a self-contained building designed to meet all the needs of the organisation, for education, research, advisory support and development of students and the student community. 

The operation of new programmes continues and is now expanding into related fields of study.

ICPS during the years...

The history of our College is inextricably linked to the development of counselling and psychotherapy in Greece. In 1987 the Intercultural Symposium on Person-Centred Approach was held in Greece, the proceedings of which were the foundation stone for the establishment of ICPS and for the dissemination of this approach in Greece.
1987
personcentered
Two years later, in 1989, as a result of the Symposium, Polly Iosifidis, a specialist in Person-Centred Counselling and Psychotherapy, Dr. Julius Iosifidis, Professor Emeritus of the University of Athens and Dr. Charles Devonshire, a close associate of Carl Rogers, founded the first Institute of Person-Centred Approach in Greece.
1989
icps college
In 1994, the British State University of Strathclyde, in Glasgow, Scotland, has already been informed of the excellent training that is being provided at the Institute in Athens and, at the request of the University itself, the ICPS basic Person-Centred Counselling Programme is recognised and accredited, which now, on the basis of the agreement between the two institutions, grants the graduates of the Programme a Postgraduate Diploma.
1994
From 1994 onwards, the Institute has been a pioneer and participates with other institutions in the establishment of the Hellenic Society of Counselling (Polly Iosifidi was the first president), the European Society of Counselling, the National Society of Psychotherapy in Greece, the World Association of Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling, the European Network of Organisations for Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling, while at the same time it is an organisational member of organisations such as the European Society for Psychotherapy, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy and many others.
1994
ICPS COLLEGE
In 1995 the Institute undertook the organization of the 6th International Symposium on Person-Centred Approach in Leptokarya, Pieria. The Symposium is a great success and is attended by psychologists, counsellors, psychotherapists and other professionals and students from many countries of the world (England, France, Germany, Austria, USA, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Japan and many others).
1995
conference 2
In 1999, under the auspices and sponsorship of the Institute, a meeting of 20 representatives of European Person-Centred Counselling Institutions is held in Athens. The processes for the establishment of the European Network of Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling Organisations were now underway.
1999
personcentered
In 2000, the Centre for Training in Person-Centred Approach (CTP) is established and absorbs all the activities of the Institute. In 2002, the KEPP was the main sponsor for the publication of Tony Merry's book "Invitation to Person-Centered Psychology", while the then President of the KEPP, Dr. Julius Iosifidis, was responsible for the translation of the book into Greek.
2000
person centered
From 2006 onwards, the College has been on a new trajectory of development, both internally and in terms of academic partnerships. Julius and Polly Iosifidis, with a team of close collaborators, envision the development of the organisation into a model centre of study and research in the field of psychology and its specialisations. An undergraduate degree in psychology is being planned, which is receiving approval from the British State University of Central Lancashire (UCLan).
2006
In 2007, the College operates facilities in Athens and Thessaloniki and offers programmes from the Departments of Psychology, Counselling, Business Education, Continuing Education and the Research Centre. In order to cover all its activities, it is renamed Institution for Counselling & Psychological Studies (ICPS).
2007
icps-college
In 2008, growth continues at a rapid pace. ICPS is planning a new post-graduate training program in child psychology & child counseling, attended by graduates of the Master's degree in Child Psychology offered by ICPS or holders of equivalent credentials. It also partners with the well-known American Management Association and offers its programs exclusively in Greece, while at the same time, it co-founded the consulting company Potential, offering training seminars and coaching to organizations and businesses.
2008
child psychology
In June 2009, he organizes in Athens the International Conference "Person-Centered Counseling & Psychotherapy Today: Path & Challenges" which was dedicated to the memory of Julius Josephides. 350 delegates from 25 countries and 10 leading academics and practitioners of Counselling and Psychotherapy from universities in the USA, Europe and Greece as keynote speakers exchanged knowledge and cutting-edge international practices. This was the largest International Person-Centered Conference ever organized in Greece.
2009
In July and October 2009 ICPS receives from the Greek Ministry of National Education & Religious Affairs the College Establishment License and the College Operating License, respectively, following inspections carried out at its premises by the competent committee of the Office of Colleges on 27 August 2009. Responding exactly to the requirements of the legislation for the recognition of Colleges, ICPS is investing, configuring and moving all its activities to a state-of-the-art building of 1,200 sq.m., in close proximity to the metro station "Ag. Antonios" in Peristeri, Attica. Teaching rooms, laboratories, library, administration rooms, academic staff offices and courtyards now cover all the College's needs.
2009
icps-register
In June 2011, investment in the quality of courses and staff led to the extension of the partnership with the University of Central Lancashire to undergraduate studies. An agreement to provide a Bachelor of Science in Psychology is now a fact! This programme is also offered in a franchised format and, unlike many other programmes offered in the Greek market, allows for registration with the British Psychological Association and the award of the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) upon completion of the three year course. It includes practice equivalent to that of public universities and extended training in the specialties of Psychology.
2011
bachelor psychology
In November 2012, in response to the results of continuous verbal and written evaluations of the Counselling & Psychotherapy programmes, the conditions for substantial and expanded changes in both the programmes and the training staff had been established. The purpose of the restructuring was to revamp the training programs to incorporate all new developments in the field and to highlight research findings that enhance the effectiveness of the approach, while maintaining the experiential training character that has always distinguished our programs. An equally important objective has been to improve our students' experience both in terms of curriculum content and in terms of interaction with our teaching staff. These changes have ensured ICPS a leading role in the international Person-Centred community.
2012
In July 2013, the College cuts the thread of new licensing, receiving a new operating license from the Ministry of Education (No.94540/IA/15-07-2013). At the same time, the Lifelong Learning Centre Level 2 - Centre for Humanistic Studies - ICPS is established and operates with a license granted by the Hellenic Ministry of Education, which will now offer all the professional programmes and certifications of the College.
2013
icps-kdvm
In June 2014, following an extended quality control process by the College and KEDIM 2, ICPS is certified as a Pearson - Edexcel Training Centre, the world's largest professional certification body, offering face-to-face and distance programmes in Counselling, Learning Disabilities and Couples Counselling.
2014
pearson
In July 2017, ICPS becomes a founding member of the Panhellenic Association of Recognized Colleges. This new association aspires to play a decisive role in the field of education in Greece and to highlight the important work of its members, as well as that of its partner universities abroad.
2017
icps-college-graduation
Since then, the College has been bringing to Greece and developing 13 additional innovative programmes of the University of Central Lancashire, with which it has been collaborating since 2007. From specialised first degrees (Bachelor's) in Psychology, to unique postgraduate programmes such as those in Forensic Psychology and Psychosexual Therapy.
2019
icps-college
In 2022 the College will move to new, larger facilities in the centre of Athens (Neos Kosmos), in a separate building designed to meet all the needs of the organisation, for education, research, advisory support and development of students and the student community.
2022
icps
In September 2024, the 16th World Congress of Person-Centred and Experiential Psychotherapy and Counselling will take place with great success in Athens under the organization of the College of Humanities - ICPS and the Panhellenic Association of Professionals of Person-Centred & Experiential Approach. The conference is under the auspices of the Municipality of Athens. A landmark moment for the ICPS family and the Person-Centered community.
2024
PCE2024
Previous
Next

FORM

INTEREST

Are you ready to take the next step to the future?
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST