ABIP follows the requirements of the Bulgarian Association for Psychotherapy and the European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy (EAIP), which outline a total of 3,200 training hours. Of these, 1,800 hours may be credited from prior university education in fields such as psychology, pedagogy, social work, medicine, philosophy, sociology, and other related disciplines. The remaining 1,400 hours must be completed as part of the training in a therapeutic method, which includes theory, practice, trainings, personal therapy, supervised practice, and clinical placement. EAIP requires a minimum of 1,400 hours for postgraduate training in a therapeutic method. The total number of hours provided by ABIP is 1,598.

Hour Calculation Table

1. EAIP Requirements for Theory and Practice:	500-800 hours
Academic subjects: 28 lectures x 18 hours	504 hrs
Therapeutic process simulations: 8 x 18 hours	144 hrs
Self-study for academic subjects	150 hrs
Self-study for dissertation	150 hrs
Total theory and practice at ABIP:	948 hrs

   

2. EAIP Requirements for Personal Therapy:	250 hours
Individual psychotherapy	100 hrs
Participation in ABIP trainings	80 hrs
Groups and workshops with lecturers	70 hrs
Total personal therapy at ABIP:	250 hrs

   

3. EAIP Requirements for Supervision:	150 hours
Individual supervision	100 hrs
Group supervision	50 hrs
Total supervision at ABIP:	150 hrs

   

4. EAIP Requirements for Clinical Placement:	300 hours
Clinical placement at ABIP	300 hrs
Total training hours at ABIP:	1,648 hours

 

Detailed Description of the Hours Requirements

Lectures
Held once a month on weekends (Saturday and Sunday), each lecture consists of 18 hours. Missed lectures must be attended the following academic year. Students cannot sit the course exam unless they have attended the lecture. The programme includes 28 lectures.

Therapeutic Simulations
Conducted over 8 weekends across the four years, each lasting 18 hours. Missed simulations must be rescheduled in the following academic year.

Self-Study
A total of 300 hours is allocated for self-study, which includes exam and lecture preparation, dissertation writing, and consultation with a supervisor.

Personal Therapeutic Experience
This includes individual psychotherapy, personal development trainings, and participation in therapeutic groups and workshops. Personal therapy should begin upon admission, with at least 100 hours completed by graduation. Up to 20 hours may be credited from previous therapeutic modalities. Without completing the required hours, students cannot sit the final exams.

Trainings
Trainings are held twice annually for four days outside Sofia. Each is 30 hours and must be made up if missed. Recognised training hours for personal experience are calculated at a 3:1 ratio—240 training hours count as 80 hours of personal therapy.

Groups and Workshops
Therapeutic groups and workshops contribute the remaining 70 hours at the same ratio.

Clinical Placement
As per EAP requirements, students must complete 300 hours of clinical placement in a mental health institution to familiarise themselves with psychopathological symptoms. Completion is mandatory for graduation.

Supervision
Conducted with ABIP supervisors. Out of the required 600 hours of client work, 150 must be supervised. Group supervision is organised by ABIP and recognised towards this requirement.

Supervised Practice

After Year 2, students may apply for a supervised practice permit. Applications are reviewed by the faculty council, considered in consultation with the student’s therapist. Students must have completed all required exams, training sessions, and at least 50 hours of personal therapy. The permit is valid for one year and can be renewed annually. It may be revoked at any time for ethical violations or by decision of the faculty council.

Examinations

Exams may be written or oral, at the lecturer’s discretion. In-person exams are held before or after the following lecture. Missed exams may be taken during the end-of-year retake session.

Assessment
Exams are graded using the six-point Bulgarian grading scale.

Final Examination
The final exam comprises three parts: theoretical, practical, and dissertation.

Theoretical: Conducted in person at ABIP, covering body and integrative psychotherapy, other modalities studied, psychiatry, psychopharmacology, neuropsychology, neurophysiology, and epigenetics.

Practical: Conducting both individual and group sessions before an examination panel. The theoretical part must be passed before attempting this.

Dissertation: Supervised by a faculty member. It must be 40–70 pages in Times New Roman, font size 12, and include proper citations and bibliography. It may be:

• A literature review in integrative psychotherapy
• A clinical case or multiple cases with a common diagnosis
• Scientific research (subject to board approval)
• Personal contribution to integrative psychotherapy (e.g. book, method, guide – with academic approval)

Eligibility for Final Examination
All students must:

1. Attend all lectures and pass all subject exams
2. Complete all trainings
3. Submit documentation for 300 hours of clinical placement
4. Submit proof of 250 hours of personal therapy
5. Successfully defend the dissertation
6. Conduct both therapy sessions before the Examination Board
7. Complete 600 hours of client work, including 150 supervised hours
8. Students may take the final exam up to three times within two years of completing coursework. After this period, student status expires.

Interruptions in Study

An interruption of studies may be permitted following the consideration of a formal request submitted to the Academy’s management.

Certification

A certificate for Integrative Psychotherapist may be awarded to trainees who have successfully completed the training programme, provided they hold a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Psychology or Medicine.

Trainees with degrees in other fields must complete a Master’s degree in Psychology (either prior to or during their training at the Academy for Body-Oriented and Integrative Psychotherapy - ABIP).

Otherwise, they will be awarded a certificate as an "Integrative Psychotherapy Consultant", which does not entitle them to practise independently as psychotherapists, but only as consultants under continuous supervision by an integrative supervisor.