International Academy for Positive and Transcultural Psychotherapy
Positive psychotherapy, from Wiesbaden to the world.
A non-profit foundation that is both operational and supportive: we train consultants, life coaches and teachers, run day seminars, and support mental health care and a children’s school in Ethiopia.
EAPTI accreditedEuropean Accredited Psychotherapy Training Institute
Accredited in HesseHessian Teaching Staff Academy
Foundation of the MonthHessian State Government
3 partner universitiesAddis Ababa, Jimma and Bahir Dar
1968
Positive psychotherapy first developed by Prof. Nossrat Peseschkian
25+
countries with centres for training and therapy
31
books on the method, in 28 languages
250+
Ethiopian professionals trained in the basic course
Further training in Wiesbaden
Courses and seminars
Every year: a part-time course for consultants and life coaches, a teacher training accredited by the Hessian Teaching Staff Academy, and three day seminars.
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Course running since 31 October 2026
Consultant & Life Coach
An 11-month part-time course for everyone who wants to expand their psychosocial skills.
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Three times a year
Day seminars
One-day insights into topics from positive psychotherapy – and a valuable network meeting.
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Paused – resuming soon
Teacher training
“Strengthening teacher health – promoting a healthy school”, accredited by the Hessian Teaching Staff Academy.
Consultant & Life Coach 2026–2027: the course year
1 of 10 dates completed
- Oct 31 Module 1: Theoretical foundations and the positive image of man
- Nov 21 Module 2: The balance model: four areas for a fulfilled life (next)
- Dec 12 Module 3: Psychodynamics and the past; the five-stage procedure
- Jan 16 Module 4: Understanding the past to master the present
- Feb 13 Module 5: Salutogenesis, holistic health and communication
- Mar 13 Module 6: Reinterpreting the messages of body and soul
- Apr 10 Module 7: Behaviour change and conflict management
- May 22 Module 8: Stories, metaphors and proverbs in counselling
- Jun 12 Module 9: Separation, loss and grief
- Aug 14 Module 10: Fit for counselling and coaching
The method
Building on what people can do
Positive and transcultural psychotherapy (PPT), developed by Prof. Nossrat Peseschkian since 1968, is a humanistic method grounded in depth psychology. It is recognised by the European Association for Psychotherapy and the State Medical Association of Hesse.
Image of man
A person is a unity of body, mind, feelings and soul – with abilities to draw on.
Resource orientation
Conflicts become a chance to develop those abilities further.
Transcultural
Stories, proverbs and cross-cultural tools make it work across cultures.
Beyond therapy
Easy to understand, so it is also used in education, training and counselling.
The balance model, the “heart” of positive psychotherapy. Choose an area to learn more.
Founded in 2006
Nossrat and Manije Peseschkian
Prof. Dr. Nossrat Peseschkian (1933–2010), psychiatrist and psychotherapist, founded positive psychotherapy in 1968 under the name differentiation analysis, and from 1977 as positive and transcultural psychotherapy.
Manije Peseschkian (1940–2020) studied biology and trained as a family therapist. She served on the foundation’s board.
All income from Prof. Peseschkian’s author’s rights goes directly to the foundation and its charitable work.
Our work in Ethiopia
Training that stays in the country
Since 2006 we have trained Ethiopian doctors, psychologists and teachers in positive psychotherapy – and we support a school and home for children in need.
250+
basic-course graduates
40+
certified psychotherapists
Mental health project
Training Ethiopian doctors, psychologists and teachers with Addis Ababa, Jimma and Bahir Dar universities since 2006.
Fresh & Green Academy
A school and children’s home for around 150 children and young people, with three meals a day.
100% of your donation reaches the schools
We fund teachers, learning materials and equipment – and check on site, in person.
Every person, every family, every society and culture has the potential to live together in health, justice and peace.
Hessian State Government, naming the foundation Foundation of the Month
Have a question you would like to talk about?
Write to us or call – we’re happy to help with courses, projects and books.