PROGRAMME
2. European RTP & RTC Convention
Grand Hotel Zagreb
Zagreb, 8 – 9 of March 2024
Friday, 8.3.2024
Round Table: Between the Two Conventions
Language: Croatian and Slovenian
The round table is dedicated to the debriefing of the representatives of the RTP & RTC sections of the respective associations from different countries: what happened between the two Conventions, how the sections functioned, and what the new developments are. Representatives of the Croatian Chamber of Psychotherapy will report on their work in the Chamber and share the latest developments. We will also learn what is new in relation to the adoption of the law on psychotherapy in Slovenia. Representatives of the Association from Bosnia and Herzegovina will also share updates related to their role.
Danko Butorac : How the Clients Create Themselves
Language: Croatian
I will start with a simple statement by the client. Then, through cell biology and teleology, we will try to explain the human organism as an autopoietic system. By understanding our client’s specific instructions, we can grasp the meaning or purpose of their actions. The current development of reality therapy is in the direction of research, in which the therapists realise themselves as researchers and interpreters of the client’s statements. Still, in order to do their work, the therapists must first understand themself and the purpose of their actions.
Marija Posavec : The Purpose of the Symptoms – Medical Perspective in Comparison to Psychotherapeutic
Language: Croatian
To recognise the nature of the risk factor for the development of the disease, to understand the development and purpose of the symptom, and to offer experience-based resources for the potential recovery of the organism – are there commonalities between the medical and psychotherapy perspectives? Is there a difference in the behaviour of the organism in the case of physical disorders in comparison to mental ones? Is there a clear differentiation between somatic and psychic development? Is the so-called psychosomatics a disorder at the level of the mind or body, or is it the proof of their complex inseparability? In the lecture, I plan to share my holistic understanding of the development of difficulties in patients and clients, which I consider extremely important for a more complete understanding of the essence of human health. This lecture presents an opportunity to explore the complexity of the functioning of the human organism with the aim of strengthening psychotherapeutic competencies.
Matea Kopsa Sobota : Psichology of Beliefs
Language: Croatian
Throughout the lecture, medical topics and concepts are intertwined, summarised and explained in the language of Choice Theory. I will briefly explain what happens to our body during acute and chronic stress, as well as what happens during a change in beliefs, such as in the psychotherapy process.
Language: Slovenian
Perfection is a concept that we have created ourselves and represents the specific instructions that form an ideal image of ourselves. We have no problem with this ideal image of ourselves as long as we are aware of it and understand its purpose. Problems arise when we attach the realisation of our perfection to others, meaning we believe that we can gain acceptance from others by behaving in accordance with our ideal image of ourselves. Because we usually don’t receive such “applause” for our efforts, we slowly falter.
In this presentation, I will demonstrate the possibility and ways by which clients who feel exhausted and overwhelmed lead themselves to understand the purpose of their own efforts through awareness of their behaviour.
Ksenija Centa : My Child Refuses to Go to School
Language: Slovenian
The lecture will present the case of a ninth-grade student who stopped going to school, understanding her frustrations, her parents’ frustrations in their relationship with her and the importance of school and peer input when she returns to school.
Nikolina Essert : The Importance of the Life Context in Establishing Balance
Language: Croatian
The lecture will present a client who has very few roles in life, but even with the roles he has, he does not perceive himself as in charge of them. Instead, he sees himself as a victim of the behaviour of his girlfriend, father, sister and colleague at work. He had only one friend in his life with whom he stopped hanging out. Four years ago, he was attacked by a man who was under the influence of narcotics. Since then, he has tried to get the balance by creating paranoid ideas that the attacker is following him and controlling all the people around him. By developing such behaviours, the client becomes increasingly isolated, thereby deepening his frustration.
Language: Croatian
I will present my understanding of the purpose of the content and intensity of recurring depressive episodes that the client develops depending on the interpretation of the different phases of the romantic relationship.
CAUTION: The lecture is not for hopeless romantics.
Iva Luk i Neva Ljuština Zgrablić : : Introducing the Vijal Mental Health Centre
Language: Croatian
In October 2023, five participants of the Choice Theory and Reality Therapy training in Pazin founded the Vijal Mental Health Centre. In their individual work with clients, as well as in marriage and family counselling, they apply the knowledge they have acquired through many years of learning, teaching, consulting, experience, and self-improvement in all their roles. The fundamental goal of the Vijal Mental Health Centre is to create opportunities and conditions for strengthening the mental health of all members of the community, primarily through the provision of individual, partner, and group counselling services and by offering psycho-educational knowledge. This includes organising workshops, forums, round tables, public lectures, seminars, and other forms of training, all aimed at preserving mental health in the community. We aim to share our love and passion for counselling and psychotherapy with all those interested and encourage them to start, continue, or complete their education.
Mirjana Belavić: Mental Freedom Training
Language: Croatian
In my presentation, I will showcase my experience with the implementation of the Mental Freedom Training programme in Croatia: what the process looks like and what the participants’ experiences have been so far
Tamara Velikonja: Incorporating Writing into Youth Psychotherapy
Language: Slovenian
Young people can use writing in the comfort of their homes as a tool for self-reflection between sessions. This approach allows them to engage in deeper and more conscious reflection on their own experiences, perceptions, emotions, behaviours, and perhaps even beliefs, as well as to more easily confront topics they may find difficult to express verbally.
Processing and self-reflection through writing can significantly enhance the progress of therapy, as it enables targeted and continuous work on personal growth and overcoming challenges even outside of therapeutic conversation. By reading the writings, the therapist gains a better insight into the inner world of the young person, which can also be used as a subject of conversation. This way, the individual feels more involved in their own therapy, which increases trust and cooperation.
Nina Hrenić: The Body in Psychotherapy
Language: Croatian
The presentation will show the experience of participating in a body psychotherapy workshop dealing with the body, breathing, and mindfulness in the psychotherapy process.
Saturday, 9.3.2024
John Brickell: The Power of Acceptance
Language: English
This session will focus on the necessity and effectiveness of true ACCEPTANCE in the process of healing from emotional and physical pain. The session will be as interactive as possible and will reference case/client experience. Hopefully, there will be enough time for questions and feedback
Asja Cvitanović, Dubravka Stijačić, Danko Butorcu: Clinical Practice, Supervision
Language: Croatian
The purpose of the round table is to discuss what is and what is not clinical practice in RTP and RTC, as well as to identify the need for supervision in other forms of practice conducted by colleagues. Some colleagues already have supervision experience, so we intend to explore the benefits they recognise for their development and any suggestions for improving supervision. We will also discuss the importance of supervision for technical progress, such as license extension, but more importantly for professional advancement and continuous competence development.
WORKING IN SMALL GROUPS: Strategies for Continuous Professional Development of Psychotherapists and Counsellors
Language: Croatian, Slovenian, English
Moderator: Danko Butorac