At a colloquium and graduation ceremony, 13 participants of the contact study programme Systemic Counselling, Family and Systemic Therapy were bid farewell. Academic Director Dr Astrid Beermann congratulated the graduates on completing their three and a half years of further education. The programme started during the coronavirus pandemic.

Graduate Jenny Maaß summarised her experience: "The last few years have been intensive, challenging and at the same time very enriching. I've learnt a lot and grown during this time, both professionally and personally. The supervision group was particularly important for me. It was a protected space in which I could show myself, try things out and develop my own process, supported by trust and openness. Many connections will remain: Fellow students have become real friends that I wouldn't want to miss. We have travelled this path together, through different life situations, both professionally and privately, and have strengthened each other. What started as an academic appointment has become an experience that goes much deeper for me. I am grateful for that."

For graduate Lisa Karnatz, further education also went far beyond simply imparting knowledge: "The contact study programme moved me on a deep personal level. In addition to the professional depth, I have dealt intensively with myself and felt seen, challenged and at the same time well supported. I will always remember the lecturers, who brought their topics to the table with so much passion, and the self-awareness I gained with my trusting supervision group. I am particularly grateful for the friendships that developed, which are special in a different way because we were able to experience this intensive development process together. Anyone who is prepared to embark on this journey will possibly see themselves and the world from a new perspective."

Graduates can have their achievements recognised by the German Association for Systemic Therapy, Counselling and Family Therapy (DGSF). The application phase for the next round of contact studies will start in autumn 2026.