The Institute of Family Therapy-Malta has once again celebrated the graduation of a number of students who were following studies with the Institute over the past years. As happens on an annual basis at this time of year, students from diverse courses and levels, receive their achievements during the graduation ceremony. This year, these included students who achieved the Bachelors Degree in Psychological Therapies, the Post-Graduate Diploma in Systemic Family Psychotherapy, the Masters in Systemic Family Psychotherapy, and the Award in Clinical Supervision.

The graduation ceremony was held at Palazzo de La Salle in Valletta and was followed by a reception party for the graduands and their guests. Present for the ceremony were the founding and current Chairperson of IFT-Malta Dr Charlie Azzopardi, Director and Course Co-ordinator Mrs Karen Bishop, Course Co-ordinators Mrs Yanica Richards Chircop and Mr Karl Wright, who shared some thoughts on the closure of these courses and the Institute’s ongoing developments.
Student representatives from each course also addressed the audience, describing their experience as IFT-Malta students and how their training has helped them in their work.
Dr Azzopardi, described how the concept of IFT-Malta formed, grew and steadily developed over the years. Whilst describing key achievements, he thanked the other directors, tutors and coordinators as well as team members, for their collaboration and contributions over the years. Dr Azzopardi also thanked the numerous students who placed so much trust in the capabilities of the Institute to train them towards important professional achievements.
At this graduation, IFT-Malta celebrated its first co-hort of students who obtained the Bachelors Degree in Psychological Therapies, a first of its kind course that was designed by Dr Azzopardi and launched in 2019. The course which originally lasted five years, has now been adjusted to last only four years. It provides students with a strong basis for further specialisation in psychotherapy.
The other innovation of the 2024 graduation ceremony was IFT-Malta’s conferment of a first and unique Honoris Causa to Fr. Anton Teuma, Bishop of Gozo, who had previously trained at IFT-Malta in Systemic Family Psychotherapy. The merit was conferred for his many contributions to society, particularly to the wellbeing of families in Malta and Gozo. Bishop Teuma also addressed the graduands and guests present at the ceremony and talked about his experience at IFT-Malta.

Apart from offering training to professionals in Systemic Psychotherapy and related therapies, IFT-Malta also provides individual, group, and family psychotherapy; family mediation; family education to the general public; consultation to organizations and professionals in relation to clinical practice; clinical supervision to organizations and professionals in relation to clinical practice; systemic consultation to public or private organizations; research on family-related subjects; constant liaison with other institutions.
IFT-Malta is also committed to deliver education programmes for partners, spouses, and parents, children, schools and organizations to promote well-being in society, based on positive family and work environments, and a healthy balance between the two.
The Institute of Family Therapy-Malta is a Member of the Training Institutes Chamber of the European Family Therapy Association and also an Institutional Member in Good Standing of the International Family Therapy Association. IFT-Malta is licensed by the Malta Further & Higher Education Authority.