Published: October 2022

Keywords:
Maurichio Andolfi, Pavlos Pilichos, Giorgos Vasiliou, Family therapy, pioneers, evolution of family therapy, social psychiatry, psychoanalysis, Salvador Minuchin, transgenerational family therapy, transcultural genogram, personal meaning, violent adolescents, grief.

Maurizio Andolfi

Maurizio Andolfi, M.D., Child Psychiatrist, Professor University “La Sapienza”, Rome and Master Family Therapist is the Director of the Accademia di Psicoterapia della Famiglia of Rome, Editor-in-Chief of the Italian Journal: Terapia Familiare and President of the Silvano Andolfi Foundation. He is a founder of EFTA and was awarded for his special contribution in family therapy by AAMFT (American Association of Marital & Family Therapy) in 1999 and by the Australian Association of family therapy in 2021 and got a Life Achievement Award from AFTA in 2016. He is an Honorary Member of the Asian Family Therapy Association and the Andolfi Family Centre has been opened in his honour in Kuala Lampur, Malaysia. He has been lecturing all over the world, writing many books in several languages, the latest are The Gift of Truth, Teen Voices, Intergenerational Couple Therapy (co-author Anna Mascellani) and Multigenerational Family Therapy. mauriandolfi@gmail.com, maurizioandolfi42@icloud.com

Pavlos Salichos

Pavlos Salichos, Psychologist, M.A., E.C.P., is a Systemic Psychotherapist in private practice working with individuals, groups and families. He is an Associate and Trainer at the Athenian Institute of Anthropos (AIA). Registered member of the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP), of the Hellenic Systemic Therapy Association (HELLASYTH) and of the Association of Greek Psychologists. pavlossalichos@yahoo.com

Abstract

World renowned, prominent Italian child psychiatrist and family therapist Maurizio Andolfi gives an interview to Pavlos Salichos in honour of the memory of therapist and mentor Petros Polychronis. With simple words full of self-disclosure, embellished with characteristically both funny and moving snapshots, he talks about his life’s work, about his first meeting with George Vassiliou and the Athenian Institute of Anthropos, about family therapy from its beginning, as well as the meaning he personally gives to his role as a family therapist today.

In this way he offers us what it means to be a family therapist and suggests a vision, not only for family therapy, but also for life itself. The person and the professional role, as well as a stance to life and science, are inextricably intertwined into a whole and become a precious teaching. Analogies and connections emerge with the view of life and therapeutic approach of Petros Polychronis.