Academy for Psychotherapy and Logotherapy – professional education of the future
The Academy of Psychotherapy and Logotherapy is a specialized educational institution in Europe, located in Slovenia that develops professional knowledge in the field of psychotherapy, logotherapy, existential analysis and mental health. With a holistic approach, it combines professional, psychological and existential understanding of humans and enables the development of competencies for work in a modern living and professional environment.
The Academy represents a space where professional knowledge is connected with personal development and the question of meaning, which enables the individual to have a deeper understanding of themselves and others. This creates an environment in which professional excellence, personal growth and responsible work with people are intertwined.
Education in psychotherapy
The Academy implements specialist and postgraduate educational programs in psychotherapy, which are designed in accordance with the current Act on Psychotherapy in the Republic of Slovenia (ZPtD) and follow modern international professional standards of psychotherapeutic education.
The programs are aimed at developing in-depth professional knowledge, understanding of mental health and human functioning, and developing competencies for responsible and high-quality psychotherapeutic work. Special emphasis is placed on connecting theory, practice, and personal development, which represents the foundation of a therapist's professional maturity.
Academic path
The Academy also enables further development of the academic path. In cooperation with a partner higher education institution, it opens up the possibility for students to continue their education at the master's and doctoral levels.This connects professional education with academic research work and enables broader professional development in Slovenia and internationally.
International involvement, memberships and standards
The Academy places its operations in a broader international professional space, where it actively cooperates with established institutions. Its accreditation with the Viktor Frankl Institute in Vienna confirms its connection with the original tradition of logotherapy and a high level of professional quality. At the same time, the Academy is involved in important international professional associations, such as the World Association for Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy (WAPP), the German Association for Psychotherapy (DVP e.V.) and the International Federation for Mental Health in Sport.
It bases its professional activities on the ethical and professional guidelines of recognized organizations, among which the American Psychological Association (APA) and the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP) hold a special place. Such involvement ensures a high level of professionalism, credibility and international comparability of the programs.
Logotherapy as the foundation of professional orientation
The foundation of the Academy's professional orientation is represented by logotherapy and existential analysis by Viktor E. Frankl, which focuses on the question of meaning as a key dimension of human life. Logotherapy understands a person as a holistic being – physical, psychological and spiritual – and emphasizes their ability to make free decisions, assume responsibility and find meaning even in challenging life circumstances.
Such an approach not only helps the individual to resolve difficulties, but also enables a deeper understanding of their own life, relationships and personal orientation.
Modern approaches and development
In addition to the classical foundations, the Academy also develops modern multimodal psychotherapeutic approaches that combine knowledge from various professional fields and enable a holistic treatment of the person. A special development area is performance psychotherapy and supervision in sports, where psychotherapeutic knowledge is connected to working in highly demanding environments, such as top-level sports, leadership positions and other professions that require a high level of responsibility and psychological stability. Such an approach enables the development of an individual's potential, greater efficiency and stability in demanding situations.
Modern approaches and development
In addition to the classical foundations, the Academy also develops modern multimodal psychotherapeutic approaches that combine knowledge from various professional fields and enable a holistic treatment of the person. A special development area is performance psychotherapy and supervision in sports, where psychotherapeutic knowledge is connected to working in highly demanding environments, such as top-level sports, leadership positions and other professions that require a high level of responsibility and psychological stability. Such an approach enables the development of an individual's potential, greater efficiency and stability in demanding situations.
Community of knowledge and experience
The Academy is not only an educational institution, but also a professional community. It is staffed by renowned domestic and international lecturers, psychotherapists, researchers and other experts. Knowledge is transferred through mentoring, a personal approach and interdisciplinary cooperation, which allows students to develop their own professional identity and a deeper understanding of the person.
Why choose the Academy for Psychotherapy Logotherapy
The Academy combines international professional involvement, systematic organization of programs and a holistic approach to the person. It thus enables a connection between theory, practice and personal development and paves the way for professional and academic advancement. It represents a thoughtful choice for anyone who wants to develop a psychotherapeutic career at a high level of professionalism and contribute to the development of mental health in society.
Contact and enrollment
Start your professional journey in psychotherapy.
Develop your competencies and open up space for personal and professional growth
For additional information about programs and enrollment options, contact us via the CONTACT tab.
What is logotherapy?
Logotherapy and existential analysis represent a well-established psychotherapeutic approach developed by Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, and psychotherapist Viktor E. Frankl. In professional literature, it is known as the Third Viennese School of Psychotherapy, alongside Freud’s psychoanalysis and Adler’s individual psychology. However, logotherapy extends beyond a purely historical or clinical framework. It introduces a broader understanding of human existence by placing the search for meaning at the centre of life. Rather than focusing exclusively on symptom reduction or past experiences, logotherapy explores a fundamental human question: what gives my life meaning and direction?
In this sense, logotherapy is not only a therapeutic method, but also a comprehensive way of understanding human motivation, decision-making, and personal development.
Core principles of logotherapy
Logotherapy is grounded in a holistic view of the human being, encompassing physical, psychological, and existential (or spiritual) dimensions. It is precisely this existential dimension that enables individuals to transcend their immediate circumstances and take a position towards them. From this perspective, a person is not merely shaped by external conditions or internal impulses, but is capable of actively responding to life. Even in situations where circumstances cannot be changed, individuals retain the fundamental capacity to choose their attitude.
This inner freedom is essential, as it forms the basis for responsibility, dignity, and personal growth. Logotherapy therefore understands human life not only in terms of what happens to us, but primarily in how we interpret and respond to these experiences.
The three pillars of logotherapy
The structure of logotherapy is built upon three central concepts that form its theoretical and practical foundation.
The first is freedom of will, which refers to the human capacity to make meaningful choices, even within limitations. This freedom is not absolute, but it is crucial for maintaining a sense of agency and dignity.
The second is the will to meaning. Frankl argued that the primary human motivation is not the pursuit of pleasure or power, but the desire to find meaning. When this need is frustrated, individuals may experience inner emptiness, lack of direction, or existential frustration—phenomena increasingly observed in modern society.
The third pillar is the concept of meaning in life, understood as something concrete and situational. Meaning is not abstract; it emerges in specific life contexts, relationships, decisions, and actions. Every situation, even difficult or painful ones, carries the potential for meaning.
How does logotherapy understand life challenges?
Logotherapy offers a profound perspective on common modern challenges such as existential emptiness, depression, anxiety, burnout, and loss of direction. Instead of viewing these exclusively as disorders to be eliminated, it also understands them as expressions of deeper existential questions. When individuals lose a sense of meaning, they may feel disconnected or internally disoriented. Logotherapy does not impose ready-made answers but invites exploration: what is truly important in this situation, and what is life asking of me right now?
This shift in perspective transforms the question from “What is wrong with me?” to “What is life calling me to respond to?”
What makes logotherapy different?
One of the defining characteristics of logotherapy is its profound respect for human dignity and potential. It does not reduce individuals to diagnoses, past traumas, or psychological mechanisms. Instead, it recognises the capacity for growth, responsibility, and future-oriented action. At its core, logotherapy places emphasis not on the problem itself, but on the person as a meaning-oriented being. Even in difficult circumstances, individuals retain the possibility to create meaning—through work, relationships, creativity, or the attitude they adopt towards unavoidable suffering.
This perspective positions logotherapy as a uniquely humanistic and future-oriented approach among contemporary psychotherapies.
Evidence-based benefits of logotherapy
Modern psychological research increasingly supports the importance of meaning as a key factor in mental health and wellbeing. A strong sense of meaning is associated with greater psychological resilience, higher life satisfaction, and improved emotional stability. Individuals who experience their lives as meaningful tend to cope more effectively with stress, illness, and life transitions. Studies also show correlations between meaning and lower levels of depression, anxiety, and burnout.
These findings reinforce the relevance of logotherapy not only as a philosophical framework, but as a practical and evidence-informed approach.
How does logotherapy work in practice?
In practice, logotherapy helps individuals develop a more conscious and responsible relationship with their lives. Rather than providing quick solutions, it facilitates a process of discovering personal meaning.
Through dialogue, reflection, and guided exploration, individuals gain deeper insight into their values, priorities, and life direction. This process strengthens inner stability and supports more intentional decision-making aligned with one’s sense of purpose.
Logotherapy also uses specific techniques—such as Socratic dialogue, dereflection, and paradoxical intention—to support clients in overcoming internal obstacles and shifting perspective.
Logotherapy in the modern world
In today’s fast-changing and often uncertain environment, the question of meaning has become increasingly relevant. Many people experience external success while still feeling internally unfulfilled or disconnected.
Logotherapy addresses this gap by offering a deeper orientation that goes beyond performance and productivity. It supports individuals in developing an inner framework that remains stable even when external conditions change.
As a result, logotherapy is increasingly applied not only in psychotherapy, but also in coaching, education, healthcare, leadership, and organisational development across Europe.
Logotherapy at the Academy
At the Academy, logotherapy and existential analysis are understood as a comprehensive professional and developmental framework. They are not limited to therapy, but extend into personal growth, relational understanding, and professional application.
The focus is on cultivating:
- inner freedom
. personal responsibility
- authenticity
- meaning-oriented action
Participants are supported in developing a deeper relationship with themselves, improving interpersonal dynamics, and navigating complex life and professional situations with clarity and purpose.
Conclusion
Logotherapy and existential analysis do not offer simple answers, but invite a deeper engagement with life. Their essential contribution lies not in removing all difficulties, but in helping individuals develop an inner orientation that allows them to find meaning even in challenging situations.
In a world increasingly defined by speed and uncertainty, this perspective offers lasting value: a foundation rooted in human dignity, responsibility, and the capacity to shape one’s life meaningfully.
“Everything can be taken from a man 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 E. Frankl
LITERATURA IN GRADIVA
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION CONTACT INFORMATION
Name and Address:
KO-DAM d.o.o., Preserje pri Radomljah
Academy for Psychotherapy, Logotherapy and Lifelong Learning
Gajeva ulica 18
1235 Radomlje
Slovenia - Europe
For additional information, please contact us via the CONTACT tab.
Teachers:
Psychotherapist, teacher and supervisor
Professor, Graduate Theological Foundation (USA)
Advanced psychotherapy specialist - logotherapy direction
Holder of Institutional Accreditation of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna
Principal Professor (APL) and Head of the Academy for Psychotherapy Logotherapy
Klemen Kobal is a psychotherapist, teacher and supervisor in logotherapy, existential analysis and existential therapy with long-term continuous clinical, pedagogical and supervisory practice. He is the founder and head of the Academy for Psychotherapy Logotherapy (APL) and the principal professor of the academy. He is also an appointed professor (Gordon W. Allport Professor) at the American faculty of the Graduate Theological Foundation (USA), where he teaches and mentors students at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels. He also serves as Vice President of the International Federation for Mental Health in Sport, where he contributes to the development of the field at the international level.
He was educated in the field of law and public administration, and crowned his professional and academic work with a doctorate in psychology from the Graduate Theological Foundation, with a doctoral dissertation in the field of logotherapy. His psychotherapeutic formation is based on many years of comprehensive and in-depth specialist training, which included a systematic study of theory, extensive clinical practice, his own psychotherapeutic experience and several years of supervision and pedagogical work. As part of his professional development, he also completed an additional one-year education in child and adolescent psychotherapy, which further deepened his competences for working with the younger population. Such a path represents a solid and proven basis for independent psychotherapeutic, teaching and supervisory work.
He is accredited by the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna, which represents the central, internationally leading and most influential organization in the field of logotherapy at the global level, and at the same time also operates within the standards of the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP). He is also a holder of the European Certificate in Counselling (EACP) and a member of the European Federation of Sports Psychology (FEPSAC), which further confirms his professional qualifications and international involvement. The APL Academy, which he leads, implements multi-year specialist psychotherapy programs accredited according to these highest international criteria.
His special professional areas of work are sports psychotherapy and existential supervision in highly demanding environments. In addition to psychotherapeutic work, he also has almost three decades of experience as a fitness trainer, which further deepens his understanding of the physical, psychological and performative dimensions of a person. He has worked with top athletes, national teams and teams at the highest international level - including Olympic gold medalists, world champions and winners of the most demanding world competitions, including the largest cycling races and top leagues - in contexts of exceptional psychological pressure and public exposure.
His work in sports always remains within the professional definition of psychotherapy and is not focused on coaching or motivational consulting. In this context, he also works as the head of the performance area in the highly specialized TEAM11 group, which focuses on the development of elite professional athletes of the highest world class. Based on this experience, he developed an original professional model of Performance Supervision in Sports, which is today taught and used in both sports and broader organizational environments.
As a teacher, Klemen Kobal has gone through the entire formative process from an assistant role to an independent teacher and supervisor. Through several successive generations of theoretical and practical education, he has mastered the logotherapy curriculum in the tradition of Viktor Frankl and Elisabeth Lukas. His teaching is characterized by theoretical consistency, scientific accuracy, high ethical standards and a clear and structured presentation, while at the same time emphasizing the personal maturity of future psychotherapists.
At the APL Academy, he is responsible for the professional orientation of programs, curriculum development, pedagogical and supervisory quality, and the integration of clinical, academic and ethical aspects of psychotherapy education. His work significantly contributes to the development of logotherapy as a scientifically based, modern and socially responsible psychotherapy direction in Slovenia and internationally.
Psychotherapist, teacher, supervisor
Accredited logotherapist at the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna
Advanced specialist in psychotherapy – logotherapy direction
Doctoral candidate in kinesiology
Principal professor (APL) at the Academy for Psychotherapy Logotherapy
Vedrana Nucak has a Master's degree in kinesiology, an accredited logotherapist according to the standards of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna – the central, internationally leading and most influential professional organization in the field of logotherapy worldwide, an advanced specialist in psychotherapy – logotherapy and a doctoral candidate in kinesiology at the University of Zagreb. At the Academy of Psychotherapy Logotherapy (APL) she works as a principal professor, teacher and supervisor and is one of the key players in the professional, pedagogical and developmental work of the academy.
Her professional specialty is the scientifically based and original integration of logotherapy, existential psychotherapy and kinesiology. In her research, teaching and clinical work, she develops a holistic understanding of the human being, where questions of meaning, bodily movement and psychotherapeutic processes are connected into an in-depth and contemporary psychotherapeutic practice.
For many years, she worked as an assistant in the educational process within the framework of specialist formation in logotherapy and actively participated in the training of several successive generations of future logotherapists. Through this multi-year and multi-generational journey, she has gone through the entire spectrum of theoretical, practical and personal training in depth. Before taking on an independent teaching role, she has repeatedly entered the study of basic and advanced theory and clinical practice, which represents a high pedagogical standard and an expression of exceptional professional maturity and commitment to authentic logotherapy.
At the APL Academy, she teaches logotherapeutic theory and science, participates in the design of the curriculum and leads the process of logotherapeutic autobiography (personal experience), where she accompanies students in their in-depth personal and professional maturation. Her teaching work is characterized by a clear structure, theoretical precision, ethical consistency and pronounced human sensitivity.
In addition to her teaching work, she has been continuously practicing psychotherapy for almost twenty years and has more than ten years of experience with supervision in specialist psychotherapy programs. Participants in her training consistently recognize her as a safe, competent and professionally very mature teacher and supervisor who knows how to connect demanding scientific and theoretical knowledge with life experience and clinical reality.
Her work significantly contributes to the high quality of education at the APL Academy and to the development of logotherapy as a scientifically based, ethically responsible and relevant psychotherapeutic direction for modern society.
Psychotherapist, teacher, supervisor
Field: criminal psychology
Advanced specialist in psychotherapy - logotherapy direction
Accredited logotherapist of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna
Senior professor (APL) at the Academy of Psychotherapy Logotherapy
Peter Pavšič is a university graduate in the field of criminal psychology, an advanced specialist in psychotherapy and an accredited logotherapist according to the standards of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna - the central, internationally leading and most influential professional organization in the field of logotherapy at the global level. At the Academy of Psychotherapy Logotherapy (APL) he works as a teacher and supervisor and significantly contributes to the pedagogical and professional quality of educational programs.
His professional path in psychotherapy is natural, gradual and firmly grounded in many years of practice. For more than a decade, he has been working as a professional worker in a disability company, where he continuously works with vulnerable groups of users within the framework of social inclusion projects. It was this environment that enabled him to gain extensive experience in psychotherapeutic work in real, demanding and ethically extremely sensitive situations, which represents a deep and reliable basis for his psychotherapeutic work.
A strong motivation for a deeper understanding of the human being and the high quality of professional work led him to study psychotherapy at the APL Academy. Already in the early stages of his education, he stood out for his sensitivity, reflexivity, high level of personal responsibility and deep understanding of the logotherapeutic and existential mental framework. Because of these qualities, he was invited to participate in the pedagogical process as an assistant.
Through several years of assistance, active participation in the education of successive generations of students and repeated and in-depth entry into the theoretical and practical part of his studies, he gradually and comprehensively matured into a teaching and supervisory role. This process took place in accordance with the highest international standards of logotherapeutic training and required a high level of professional discipline, pedagogical maturity and personal integrity.
At the APL Academy, he teaches the theory of the first and second semesters, and in particular, he devotes himself in depth to personality theory and the developmental and fundamental theoretical foundations of psychotherapy through a logotherapeutic and broader psychotherapeutic perspective. His pedagogical style is distinguished by clarity, systematicity, depth and pronounced human accessibility, which provides students with a safe and demanding learning environment.
As a teacher and supervisor, he is recognized for his high professional reliability, ethical consistency and ability to meaningfully connect complex theoretical content with clinical practice and concrete life situations. Students and supervisees consistently evaluate him as a competent, encouraging and very down-to-earth expert.
His work significantly contributes to the development of high-quality, socially responsible and scientifically based psychotherapy practice and represents an important pillar of the pedagogical mission of the APL Academy.
.
Psychotherapist
Accredited logotherapist Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna
Advanced psychotherapy specialist - logotherapy direction
Senior professor (APL) at the Academy of Psychotherapy Logotherapy
Coach with the highest A / PRO license
Jaroslav Sakala is a psychotherapist and senior professor at the Academy of Psychotherapy Logotherapy (APL), where he works in pedagogical, therapeutic and developmental roles and significantly contributes to the integration of clinical psychotherapy and the highly demanding sports environment. His professional work is marked by exceptional personal maturity, high ethical standards and a rare ability to connect theory, therapeutic practice and experience of top sports.
He has worked at the APL Academy for several years as an assistant in specialist and advanced specialist programs, as a teaching therapist for the process of students' personal experiences (logotherapeutic autobiographies) and as a psychotherapist in clinical and sports contexts. In the pedagogical process, he has proven to be an extremely reliable, clear and responsible collaborator, capable of transferring complex theoretical concepts into concrete therapeutic and experiential work.
His guidance of students' personal experiences is characterized by safety, depth, structure and a distinct human presence, which is also consistently reflected in the very positive feedback from training participants.
His professional breadth is based on the integration of logotherapeutic and existential theory, clinical psychotherapy practice and many years of experience in top-level sports. He devotes himself in particular to psychotherapeutic work in the sports environment, where he addresses complex topics such as RED-S syndrome, eating disorders, overtraining, burnout, psychological consequences of injuries and existential distress related to identity, responsibility and the pressure of top-level achievements. His work in this field represents a rare combination of theoretical depth and extremely demanding practical responsibility.
In addition to his psychotherapeutic path, Jaroslav Sakala is also an Olympic medalist, a world champion in ski jumping, and a coach of Olympic and world champions with the highest coaching A / PRO license. Many years of work in top-level sport means continuous work in conditions of exceptional psychophysical stress, high public exposure, and pronounced ethical sensitivity. In this context, he also works as a head coach in the highly specialized TEAM11 group, which focuses on the development of elite professional athletes of the highest world class. It is precisely these experiences that represent an important foundation for his professional maturity and ability to work in therapeutic and pedagogical roles at the highest level.
As a senior professor at the APL Academy, he co-creates a demanding learning environment where psychotherapeutic knowledge is connected with real-life practices of decision-making, responsibility, and human limits in extreme circumstances. His work significantly contributes to the development of psychotherapy, which goes beyond mere theoretical frameworks and consistently maintains a high professional and ethical level in the clinical, pedagogical, and sports space.
Master of Physical Education Professor
Master of Psychosocial Counseling
Psychotherapist, Teacher
Psychotherapy Specialist - logotherapy direction
Accredited Logotherapist of the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna
Senior Professor (APL) at the Academy of Psychotherapy and Logotherapy
Luka Dobovičnik is a psychotherapy specialist and an accredited logotherapist by the Viktor Frankl Institute Vienna, Master of Physical Education Professor and Master of Psychosocial Counseling. He is also a senior professor at the Academy of Psychotherapy and Logotherapy (APL).
He further deepened his psychotherapeutic knowledge at the Sigmund Freud University, the Obelisk Therapy Center and the Liberi Center with a one-year intensive training in the field of child and adolescent psychotherapy. At the Faculty of Education in Ljubljana, he also completed a special and social-pedagogical advanced training program in helping children and adolescents with deficits in individual areas of learning and with emotional and behavioral problems.
He began his professional career at the Faculty of Sports of the University of Ljubljana, continued at the Secondary School of Pharmacy, Cosmetics and Health in Ljubljana and at the Ivan Grohar Elementary School in Škofja Loka. For the last decade, he has worked at the Professional Center.
Mladinski dom Malči Beličeva Ljubljana, where he gained experience in working with children, adolescents and families, in multidisciplinary teams and complex institutional environments.
He initially worked as an assistant within the APL Academy, over time he obtained a teaching title, and today he works as a senior professor at APL, where he combines academic knowledge with practical experience.
He also transfers his practical experience into professional and scientific literature. In his publications and presentations, he devotes, among other things, to intensive sports-experience, educational and support-therapeutic work with children and adolescents with emotional and behavioral problems or disorders.
His professional areas of activity are: 1) psychotherapy of children, adolescents and families; 2) psychotherapy of children and adolescents in institutional settings; 3) mental health, especially in the field of neuroses and psychoses; and 4) sports psychotherapy.
At APL, it contributes significantly to the high professional and ethical level of education and to the development of psychotherapeutic practice.
Commercialist, European Energy Manager
Counselor in psychotherapy - logotherapy direction
Assistant at the Academy for Logotherapy Psychotherapy (APL)
President of the International Federation for Mental Health in Sport
President of the Slovenian Society for Multimodal Approach, Development, Research and Performance - EKIPA11
Gregor Bizjak is a commercialist and consultant in psychotherapy in the field of logotherapy and existential analysis, who has been working in the practice of psychotherapeutic counseling for more than a decade. His work is focused primarily on the areas of sports and the business environment, where he connects the logotherapeutic understanding of the human being with the requirements of modern organizations and top performance in an in-depth and practical way.
In his professional work, he is dedicated to users who face the challenges of meaning, responsibility, decision-making and internal orientation in environments of increased pressure. He particularly focuses on working with individuals in sports and on business logotherapeutic counseling, where he combines the existential approach with the realistic requirements of success, leadership and personal stability.
He works as an assistant at the Academy of Psychotherapy and Logotherapy (APL), where he participates in specialist educational programs and, together with Prof. Dr. Klemen Kobal and Jaroslav Sakala, is deeply involved in the development and teaching of topics in the field of psychotherapy in sports. His work in the pedagogical process is characterized by practicality, clarity and the ability to connect concepts with concrete life and work situations.
An important part of his professional identity is also the field of sales psychology, where he has developed a specific professional orientation through many years of work and lectures. He holds several certificates in this field, and his knowledge allows for a deeper understanding of motivation, decision-making and attitudes towards values in sales and business processes.
In addition to his consulting and pedagogical work, he holds the European Certification for Consultants (EACP), which confirms his qualifications in accordance with European standards. He also serves as President of the International Federation for Mental Health in Sport and as the leader of the highly specialized TEAM11 group, which focuses on the psychological performance and holistic development of elite world-class professional athletes, and is a member of the International Council for Coaching Excellence (ICCE).
Gregor Bizjak, with his interdisciplinary approach, makes a significant contribution to the development of logotherapy in contemporary contexts, especially where psychotherapy, sport, and the business environment intersect.