Child psychologists

Drivakou Despoina MSc, PhD(c) is a Child Psychologist with a private practice in Thessaloniki. She also provides supervision to early-career psychologists and mental health professionals in the initial stages of clinical practice. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a Master's degree in Basic Methodology of Medical Research - Social Medicine - Public Health and Epidemiology from the Medical School of the same university. Additionally, she is a PhD candidate at the same institution. She has also trained in Systemic Family Psychotherapy, is a certified Life Coach, and consistently attends seminars and conferences related to the systemic approach. Other psychotherapeutic programs she has trained in include Psychodrama - basic training, Emotionally Focused Therapy - couples therapy, and developmental models specifically for couples in crisis due to substance, alcohol, and medication use, domestic violence, and narcissistic disorder. She has worked as educational staff in private adult education and currently works with children, adolescents, and couples, conducting systemic approach therapies and services related to young parents (parenting), fatherhood education, parental divorce, children's social skills, and sexuality. She regularly appears on Vergina TV, radio stations, and contributes articles to various magazines and her personal blog. Concurrently, she coordinates the Family Health forum, which has been organized over the past three years addressing issues related to family and children, involving many professionals from the health sector. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society, the Hellenic Neuropsychological Society, the Systemic Society of Northern Greece, as well as other associations in Thessaloniki.

Papadopoulos Andreas is a Child Psychologist with a private practice in Evosmos. He holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has undergone training in child psychology. Specifically, he is certified in learning disabilities, specialized in child psychology, and has completed postgraduate training in child development. During his career, he has worked as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist at the 1st Neurological Clinic of the University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, at the "Together for Children" Association, at the Raphael Medical Centre Rehabilitation Clinic, as well as at the "Day Centre," where he worked with children and adults with autism. Additionally, at the Center for Differential Diagnosis, Diagnosis, and Support of Special Educational Needs (KEDDY) of Samos, he was involved in assessing children's cognitive and functional abilities using the WISC psychometric tool. He is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and has participated in numerous conferences and seminars.

Thera Place is a therapy center for children and adolescents located in Patras. It has been operating since 2013 and was relocated and renamed Thera Place (formerly Special Therapeutic Intervention) in 2023. The center features a suitably designed space equipped with modern diagnostic and therapeutic tools, supported by a well-trained interdisciplinary team that actively contributes to providing high-quality services. The primary goal is close collaboration with the family, physicians, and the child’s school to ensure comprehensive development across all areas. Validity, reliability, and above all, trust and care for each child and their family reflect the values that guide us and define how we choose to connect with them. Prior to the start of therapy, a meeting is held with the parents to assess the child and discuss their concerns as well as the objectives they wish to achieve.

Ms. Gkioka S Maria is a Psychologist - Child Psychologist and maintains her private practice in Aigaleo. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Indianapolis (license no.: 1070) and a Master's degree in Counseling Psychology. She has been trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy as well as in Systemic Counseling and Psychotherapy for Children and Adolescents & Parent Counseling. She has attended continuing education seminars to update and enhance her knowledge, always aiming for accurate assessment and therapeutic treatment of each individual's personalized needs. She has served as a Scientific Collaborator/Counseling Psychologist at the Adolescent Health Unit, 2nd Pediatric Clinic, University of Athens, "P. & A. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital, the Hellenic Institute for the U.N., and other private centers and NGOs with the goal of providing psychological support and well-being to minors and youth. In her private practice, she works with children, adolescents, and young adults and has particular experience with Eating Disorders, Anxiety Disorders, Depression, Anger Management, Interpersonal Relationships, School Bullying, Excessive Use of Gaming and Internet, Learning Disabilities, and ADHD. Additionally, she conducts parent counseling sessions on the above topics.

Christina Toli - Manetou is a Child Psychologist with a private practice in Alimos. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she holds a master's degree in school psychology - child psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and a master's degree specializing in Systemic Family Psychotherapy (Family Therapist) from the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of Aeginiteio Hospital.

Korkokiou Magia is a Child Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She holds a degree in Psychology from Paris 7, Denis Diderot University in France. She has two master's degrees from the same university, in Child and Adolescent Psychopathology and in Psychopathology and Psychoanalysis. She had many years of supervisory collaboration with psychoanalyst Geneviève Haag, who was a member of the Paris Psychoanalytical Society and an expert in autism-related issues. Korkokiou Magia has completed various clinical practices in public mental health facilities in France. She has collaborated for several years as a psychotherapist with the Center for Mental Health Hygiene and Research and is an external associate at the Penteli Children's Hospital. She cooperates with the Institute of Personal Development and Mental Health, Galinos, as well as with the Center for Neurodevelopmental Child Education. She is a member of the Society of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy of the Child and Adolescent and a member of the International Coordination of Psychotherapists and Psychoanalysts working with individuals with autism. She has participated with her lectures in many conferences both in Greece and abroad. She deals with all psychopathology and has a particular interest in the clinical aspects of autism.

Georgia Bekiaris is a child psychologist holding a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Master’s degree in Neuroscience of Education from the University of Macedonia. She has completed advanced training in Special Education, Medical Psychology, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through programs at the University of Athens, the “Dromokaitio” Psychiatric Hospital, and the Hellenic Association for Cognitive Behavioral Studies.She has extensive experience in Special Therapy Centers in Vyronas, Piraeus, Glyfada, Voula, and Kypseli, providing psychotherapy and psychoeducational support to children and adolescents with typical and atypical development, conducting learning and psychological assessments, and offering parental counseling. Since 2024, she has maintained a private practice in Kallithea.Her professional work is complemented by continuous professional development and active participation in national and international conferences, with a focus on child and adolescent mental health, ADHD, and psychoeducation.

Alixontzoti Vera is a graduate of Psychology from the University of Crete with postgraduate studies in child and adolescent psychology from the University of Central Lancashire. For years, she collaborated with the Peristeri Mental Health Center (KPSY) in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of learning difficulties. Since 2016, she has been working with special education centers, providing both educational and psychological support for children and adolescents as well as parent counseling, gaining extensive experience in the field. Additionally, she has worked as a psychologist in secondary schools in the Southern suburbs. She currently runs her own practice, offering support to children, adolescents, and their families. Furthermore, the office includes specially designed spaces for individual and group psychotherapy for adults and guardians of companion animals. These specific services are provided by Skrembou Paraskevi – Psychologist, MSc, Integrative Psychotherapist, a collaborator of Ms. Alixontzoti.

The Special Therapies Center “Words and Actions” is a space created with love, awareness, and care for children. The primary goal of the team is to meet the therapeutic needs of each child and to guide parents in order to enhance and develop the child's skills. The center provides specialized services for assessment, diagnosis, and therapy for children, adolescents, and adults presenting developmental disorders, speech and language problems, learning difficulties, behavioral issues, as well as psychological support and parental counseling. The founder and Scientific Director of the Center is Darla Eleni, a graduate of the Speech Therapy department of the School of Health Professions at the Technological Educational Institute of Epirus, a member of the Association of Speech Pathologists-Speech Therapists of Greece, and holds a professional license. She has been providing speech therapy services for the past 14 years to children and adults with communication, speech, and language disorders. She specializes in the assessment and therapeutic intervention for children with disorders such as delayed speech and language development, articulation disorders, phonological disorders, autism spectrum disorders, stuttering, and hearing impairment. She has attended numerous seminars related to Speech Therapy and Special Education and continues her professional training both theoretically and practically. Notably, she has been certified in widely recognized therapeutic methods such as TEACCH, Makaton, among others. She has also completed a 9-month training seminar on “AUTISM” at the University of Patras.

Gaugiotaki Xrysoula is a Psychologist - Child Psychologist with a postgraduate degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology. Within the framework of her postgraduate studies, she was trained in the diagnosis and treatment of psychopathology in children and adolescents, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Solution Focused Therapy. Concurrently, she has been trained in Systemic Therapy and has completed basic training in Compassion Focused Therapy. Additionally, as part of her continuous professional development, she is training in Gestalt psychotherapy. She works as a psychologist with adults, adolescents, and children, specializing in a wide range of difficulties such as anxiety and mood disorders, panic attacks - phobias, interpersonal relationships, among others.

Η Ευφωνία Λόγου είναι ένα Σύγχρονο Διεπιστημονικό Κέντρο Πρόληψης, διάγνωσης και θεραπείας διαταραχών λόγου - ομιλίας, μαθησιακών δυσκολιών καθώς και ψυχοκοινωνικών διαταραχών που απευθύνεται σε παιδιά, έφηβους και ενήλικες. Παρέχουν υψηλού επιπέδου εξατομικευμένα θεραπευτικά προγράμματα, που αποβλέπουν στην καλύτερη δυνατή εξέλιξη και ομαλή ένταξη τους στο κοινωνικό σύνολο. Η διεπιστημονική τους ομάδα στελεχώνεται από άρτια καταρτισμένους θεραπευτές, εξειδικευμένους σε σύγχρονες θεραπευτικές μεθόδους, με στόχο την ολιστική προσέγγιση του ατόμου.

Η Μοσχόπουλου Ειρήνη, είναι Λογοθεραπεύτρια – Ειδική Παιδαγωγός και επιστημονικά υπεύθυνη του κέντρου. Σπούδασε στο τμήμα Λογοθεραπείας του ΑΤΕΙ Ηπείρου και έχει ολοκληρώσει τις μεταπτυχιακές της σπουδές ειδίκευσης στην Ειδική Αγωγή και Εκπαίδευση. Έχει μετεκπαιδευτεί στην Διαταραχή Αυτιστικού Φάσματος (Ειδικό Ιατρείο Διαταραχών Αυτιστικού Φάσματος της Παιδοψυχιατρικής Κλινικής Ιατρικής Κλινικής ΕΚΠΑ του Νοσοκομείου Παίδων “Η Αγία Σοφία” και στη Μονάδα Νευροαναπτυξιακών Διαταραχών της Α’ Ψυχιατρικής Κλινικής της Ιατρικής Σχολής ΕΚΠΑ του Αιγινητείου Νοσοκομείου) και στην θεραπεία της φωνής και της ομιλίας για ενήλικες με διαταραχές ομιλίας, με ειδίκευση στα νευρολογικά περιστατικά, όπως ασθενείς με Νόσο του Parkinson ( Θεραπεύτρια LSVT LOUD - Speech Treatment for Parkinson Disease and Neurological Conditions). Είναι μέλος του Πανελλήνιου Συλλόγου Λογοπεδικών - Λογοθεραπευτών (ΠΣΛ), καθώς και μέλος του Διεθνή Οργανισμού Λογοθεραπευτών - Φωνιάτρων (IALP). Παρακολουθεί εκπαιδευτικά σεμινάρια που αφορούν τη χορήγηση διαγνωστικών δοκιμασιών και την εφαρμογή προγραμμάτων αποκατάστασης θεραπείας και εκπαίδευσης, αποκτώντας εξειδικευμένες γνώσεις σε ένα ευρύ φάσμα των διαταραχών επικοινωνίας, λόγου και ομιλίας. Κάποιες από τις μεθόδους στις οποίες έχει εκπαιδευτεί είναι το γλωσσικό πρόγραμμα MAKATON, η βασική κατάρτιση στο Σύστημα Επικοινωνίας μέσω Ανταλλαγής Εικόνων PECS και η μέθοδος TEACCH. Ακόμη, είναι πιστοποιημένη στην εφαρμογή των προγράμματων Palin Parent Child Interaction Therapy για τον Τραυλισμό σε παιδιά προσχολικής ηλικίας, The Greenspan Floortime Approach για παιδιά που είναι στο φάσμα του αυτισμού, SOS Approach to Feeding για παιδιά με τροφική επιλεκτικότητα και δυσκολίες σίτησης.

Maria Merantza is a Psychologist - Child Psychologist and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. She was born and studied in Athens. She holds a degree in Psychology from Panteion University and is a graduate of the Master's Program in Child Psychology (MSc in the Psychology of Child Development) at the University of Central Lancashire, UK. Additionally, she completed a three-year training program in Person-Centered Counseling/Psychotherapy, earning a Postgraduate Diploma in Person Centered Counselling/Psychotherapy from ICPS College in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow. She gained clinical experience at the University Child Psychiatry Clinic at the Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia," through collaboration with the interdisciplinary team of the Outpatient Unit, participating in taking psychosocial histories of children and administering diagnostic tests, as well as in the operation of the Special Clinic for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Furthermore, she attended an annual Special Education and Training Program organized by the Developmental Pediatrics Unit of the University Clinic of Athens and received certification for her training in the projective testing programs Children’s Apperception Test (C.A.T) and Thematic Apperception Test (T.A.T) for children and adults, respectively. Additionally, she participated in the pilot adult mental health program within the framework of the Care & Health Promotion programs of the Municipality of Athens, in collaboration with the NGO "Aktaia."

Kapoulea Katerina is a Child Psychologist with a private practice in Pangrati. She holds a master's degree in counseling psychology (MSc) and psychotherapeutic training in cognitive-behavioral therapy, specializing in children and adolescents. She is experienced in pain management and stays updated on developmental, counseling, and clinical psychology issues through continuous participation in advanced training seminars, conferences, and workshops. Having worked in various mental health facilities, she has gained clinical experience with a wide range of psychological difficulties in adults, children, and adolescents. At the psychological center Opsis, she offers individual counseling and psychotherapy sessions for adults, children, and adolescents, as well as parent counseling and couples counseling. Additionally, she organizes parent support groups with specific themes in collaboration with other mental health professionals.

Gioumpasi Zefi is a Psychologist with a private practice in Kallithea. She studied Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and holds a professional license. She has received postgraduate training in Clinical Psychopathology from the Research University Institute of Mental Health (E.P.I.PSY.) and the First Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens - Aeginiteio Hospital, as well as in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy. Her extensive professional experience includes collaboration with various organizations as a Coordinator and Psychologist in Non-Profit Organizations, Day Centers, and Supported Living Facilities, providing individual and group sessions for children and adolescents, both typically developing and high-functioning individuals with disabilities, psychoeducation, and parental counseling. She also collaborates with private centers, offering individual and group sessions for children and adolescents focused on Career Guidance. Additionally, she administers School Readiness Tests and WISC V Intelligence Tests to children and adolescents. She has participated in a psychosocial support telephone hotline from the First Psychiatric Clinic of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the Federation of Mental Health and Psychosocial Rehabilitation Bodies "ARGO." She has worked as a psychologist with the Onassis Foundation in the program "In the Heart of Autism" and the program "The Art of Recycling." Keeping up with ongoing developments in Psychology and the increasing needs, she has attended numerous seminars and postgraduate trainings. She offers a wide range of services tailored to the needs of each individual based on Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy.

Karanika Elli, Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and young adults, maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She studied Educational Sciences (Dipl.-Päd.) at Johann Wolfgang Goethe University in Frankfurt and Psychology (B.Sc.) at Goethe University. She also completed postgraduate studies in Psychology (M.Sc.) at the same university, focusing on Clinical Psychology in the field of Psychoanalysis, and received further training as a Psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and young adults, specializing in psychodynamic psychotherapy, at the Rhein Main Seminar training institute. She has extensive clinical experience at the Psychiatric Center and Clinic of Dr. Härtling in Frankfurt and completed her clinical internship in child and adolescent psychiatry at the University Hospital Frankfurt. Additionally, she undertook further clinical training in child and adolescent psychiatry at the General Hospital Hippokration of Thessaloniki.

Dr. Thelouras Nikolaos is a Child Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Ano Ilioupoli, where he provides mental health services with professionalism and consistency. He graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom with a primary degree in Psychology. His academic career continued at the postgraduate level at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, in the Medical Department, where he completed his studies in Forensic Psychiatry and Forensic Medicine with distinction. He is a member of the teaching staff of the Psychology Department at IST College, which collaborates with Swansea University, actively contributing to the development of new skills and knowledge. His clinical training is enriched by specialized postgraduate education in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through the International Psychotherapy Center "ALYPIA," recognized by the British organization ACCPH (Accredited Psychotherapists – Level 7). Furthermore, he has received certified training in the use of the psychometric tool MMPI-2 through ISON Psychometrica. In clinical practice, Dr. Thelouras has extensive experience working with both adults and children and adolescents. He addresses a variety of psychopathological difficulties, with a primary focus on anxiety and depression, while concurrently working in private facilities with children and adolescents presenting developmental disorders, ADHD, and other behavioral difficulties. His scientific training, professional experience, and continuous education make him a comprehensive professional in the field of mental health.

Panou Mairi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist - Child Psychologist who maintains a private practice in central Athens. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, where she graduated with honors. She continued her academic path with postgraduate studies in "Applied Cognitive and Developmental Psychology" (MSc in Applied Cognitive and Developmental Psychology) at the same university. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship at the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Chest Diseases Hospital "Sotiria," and during her postgraduate studies, she worked in psychosocial support structures of municipalities and at the Athens University of Economics and Business. Subsequently, she specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies, where she also worked in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute for Research and Behavior Therapy. Her significant experience with adult, adolescent, child populations, as well as parents, stems from her professional trajectory, having worked in adult and adolescent psychotherapy centers, primary and secondary education schools, special therapy centers, as well as voluntarily on the psychosocial support hotline of the Ministry of Health 10306 and the "Community Intervention" program of the NGO "IASIS." Currently, she maintains collaborations with Adult Psychotherapy Institutes where she participates in peer supervision and interdisciplinary teams that include psychiatrists, social workers, and others.

Maria Staurakaki MSc, BSc is a Child Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi, Attica. She holds a postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the same institution. It is worth mentioning that her scientific work has been published and presented in medical journals. Additionally, as part of her continuing education, she has attended various training seminars. She also collaborates with the P. Sakellaropoulos Institute of Mental Health for Children, Adolescents, and Adults, as well as the Center for Special Therapies "Anaptixi." Finally, the specialist works as a Psychologist in her private office, providing services to Children, Adolescents, and Adults.