ALŽBĚTA CANDIA MUÑOZ, MA
I am a certified psychotherapist trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, as well as a certified child and family Gestalt therapist. I am a full member of the Czech Association for Psychotherapy.
I graduated from the Faculty of Arts at Charles University in Prague, where I studied Social Policy and Social Work (MA).
I have completed:
- eight-year complex psychodynamic psychotherapy training SUR
- postgraduate training in Gestalt therapy with children and adolescents in the Institute for Gestalt Therapy Training (IVGT)
- postgraduate training in Gestalt family and couples therapy at IVGT and GTK – Scuola Post-Universitaria di Specializzazione in Psicoterapia della Gestalt.
- basic EFT training in therapy for couples focusing on emotions (Emotionally Focused Therapy for Couples), a
- course in dynamic work with the therapeutic sand tray – Sandtray/Sandplay Therapy
- Sandplaying – Use of sandpit in diagnostics and psychotherapy (PhDr. Alena Vávrová)
- training sessions on Biosynthesis approach for work with children and adolescents.
- I completed the basic part of the training in Somatic Experiencing – psychosomatic training in working with trauma
I still like to supplement my education in other different therapeutic fields and related areas. For example:
- Scenotest and diagnostics by play – PhDr. Pavel Humpolicek, PhD. (Hogrefe Test Center, 2022)
- Webinář/Playshop with Maggie Kline, PhD. – A Heart-Centered Resilience Roadmap for Trauma Healing
- Webinar with Peter A. Levine: Trauma and Memory – How the Brain and Body Search for a Living Past (Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Institute)
- Trauma Checklist (TSCYC) – assessment of traumatic symptoms (the likelihood of PTSD) in children aged 9 to 12 years (Hogrefe-Testcentrum)
- Crisis intervention in the context of biosynthesis (Czech Institute for Biosynthesis, 2018)
- Trauma treatment – The Unconditional model according to Anneke Lucas (Czech Institute for Biosynthesis)
- Narrative meetings – four topics (lecturer Chana Rachel Frumin, 2018, Institute for Systemic Experience-Management Centre, Jerusalem)
I am currently part of the therapists’ association TAH Terapie and collaborate with INDEPT as a member of the teaching team responsible for the methodological component of the systematic training programme in counselling for children and parents and in child psychotherapy.
For many years, I worked with the organisation HOST Home-Start Czech Republic, which I co-founded in 2003. I have remained closely connected with the organisation ever since. At HOST Home-Start Czech Republic, I worked as Director, methodological specialist for work with families at risk within the child protection system, and as a psychotherapist for children, adults, and groups. I also contributed as an expert guarantor and methodologist to the development of a specific family intervention method called Family by Play.
I have experience working with families in Tanzania where I spent some time. In 2009 I co-founded an organization helping families threatened by extreme poverty, violence and poor health conditions in Tanzania. (I had been supporting the organization as a volunteer until 2017).
I am a regular member of the Czech Association for Psychotherapy, an honorary member of the Chamber of Social and Legal Protection of Children, and in 2018-2020 was a member of the Home-Start Worldwide board of trustees.
My surname, perhaps somewhat less easy to remember and pronounce, is due to that fact that my husband comes from Mexico. We have two children (quite lively boys) and we are at home both in the Czech Republic and Mexico (where we are part of a large and boisterous family). Inevitably I have had experience with different cultures and life styles.
I like spending time with my family travelling around Mexico or having a good time at the weekend cottage, with a glass of good red wine, reading a book by Ben Aaronovitch.
I love life with all its variety, but I am no stranger to great losses and pain. I have always found humour to be my good guide in life.