Contemporary healthcare increasingly demonstrates that good treatment cannot be reduced to establishing a diagnosis and prescribing therapy. At the heart of successful care stands the human being – with their emotions, relationships, fears, hopes and their ability to adapt to the challenges posed by illness. It is precisely this understanding that lies at the foundation of the creation of the Institute of Medical Psychology, Psycho-Oncology and Psychosomatics.
The Institute is an independent organisation carrying out socially beneficial activities, working towards the development of medical psychology, psycho-oncology, psychosomatics and other fields related to mental health. Our mission is to contribute to higher-quality, more accessible and more humane healthcare by combining clinical practice, scientific research, professional training and public engagement.
We believe that mental health is an inseparable part of overall health. Every person facing a serious illness, prolonged treatment or a significant life crisis needs not only medical help but also professional psychosocial support. The same applies to their loved ones, as well as to healthcare professionals who work daily under conditions of high professional and emotional strain.
We work towards building a healthcare system in which psychological care is a natural part of treatment, and the patient is regarded as a person with their own individual needs, rather than solely as a bearer of a diagnosis. That is why we promote the application of evidence-based models for psychological assessment, psychotherapy, psychosocial support and multidisciplinary collaboration among different healthcare professionals.
The Institute's activities bring together several interconnected areas.
We provide psychological counselling and psychotherapeutic support to patients and their families, we develop programmes for the prevention and promotion of mental health, we organise training, supervision and professional qualification for specialists, we participate in research projects and develop partnerships with healthcare institutions, universities, state institutions and non-governmental organisations in Bulgaria and abroad.
Psycho-oncology holds a particularly important place in our work – a field that examines the psychological, social and behavioural aspects of oncological diseases. We believe that quality psychological support improves adaptation to illness, supports the therapeutic process, enhances quality of life and creates conditions for better interaction between the patient, their family and the medical team.
The Institute conducts active educational and scientific activities. We encourage the creation and dissemination of evidence-based knowledge, support the development of good clinical practices and take part in developing innovative models of psychosocial care. Our aim is for contemporary scientific achievements to reach clinical practice more quickly and genuinely improve people's lives.
In our work we are guided by the principles of professional ethics, respect for human dignity, scientific soundness, transparency and inter-institutional cooperation. We believe that sustainable change is possible only when science, medicine, psychology and social support work together in the interest of the person.
Our ambition is for the Institute of Medical Psychology, Psycho-Oncology and Psychosomatics to become a leading national centre for expertise, training, scientific research and the development of good practices in the field of mental health.
We strive to be a place that connects the professional community, supports patients and their loved ones, encourages innovation and contributes to building a more humane and effective healthcare system.