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.

The Paediatric Therapy Centers "Iliaxtida" are modern facilities with specialized teams that provide a holistic approach to each case. The center is owned by Paidiatrika Kentra Therapeion Iliaxtida. Moving beyond traditional intervention frameworks, they aim for an in-depth psychotherapeutic approach for children and parents, fully aligned with the principles of contemporary parenting. Every child is unique and requires the upbringing that suits them. Using standardized as well as informal assessment tools that thoroughly recognize each child's medical profile, we support the development of the child and family individually. At the Paediatric Therapy Centers "Iliaxtida", services provided include Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Special Education, Child Psychological Intervention, specialized gymnastics, parental support, and English for learning difficulties.

Papalitsas Athanasios MSc is a Psychologist and Child Psychotherapist based in Nea Erithraia. He specializes in child and adolescent psychotherapy, parent counseling, and group psychoeducation programs. His office is a modern and welcoming space for psychological support, designed to provide every individual with the opportunity to freely express their thoughts, emotions, and difficulties.

Vryoni Ilektra is a Child Psychologist with a private practice in Athens. She studied Psychology at Panteion University, followed by Child Development in the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire, and completed her studies with postgraduate training in Developmental Psychopathology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is a Systemic Psychotherapist and conducts family psychotherapy sessions. In recent years, she has worked as a Psychologist in Special Therapy Centers. Additionally, she has extensive experience in anxiety disorders, emotional disorders, as well as parental counseling.

Ntioudi Iro MSc is a Child Psychologist - Psychologist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in Clinical Psychology, and completed a postgraduate program in Psychology of Child Development at Central Lancashire in England. She has specialized in Infant and Child Psychopathology and in the management of Psychological Trauma for Children and Adolescents at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she has been trained in play therapy, a fundamental aspect of child psychology where children express their experiences and emotions through play, as well as in Systemic Family Therapy. Furthermore, she has completed the Master Practitioner program on Eating Disorders and Obesity at NCFED in the United Kingdom. Finally, she has collaborated with the Medical Diavalkaniko Center of Thessaloniki and Euromedica, has attended numerous conferences and seminars as part of ongoing professional development, and is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society.

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.

Vogiatzi Gogo is a Child Psychologist and maintains her office in Aigaleo. She studied Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is completing a postgraduate program in Applied Developmental Psychology of children and adolescents at the Hellenic Open University, during which she is undertaking her practical training at the Child Psychiatry Department of the General Children's Hospital "P. & A. Kyriakou". Within the framework of her clinical training, she has specialized in ADHD, special education, child and adolescent psychiatry, child and adolescent psychopathology, the application of cognitive and behavioral techniques in children and adolescents, as well as psychoeducation and parental counseling. Additionally, she has been trained in administering the Achenbach Assessment Tool (ASEBA), which evaluates the emotional and behavioral functioning of children and adolescents. She has experience in psychological support for children and adolescents and in parental counseling. As part of her continuous education and training, she attends numerous seminars and educational programs and supports her personal development through participation in personal therapy and supervision.

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."

Logos Kai Ekfrasi is a Special Education Center that has been operating for 17 years and has been based in Kaisariani since 2008. It provides parent counseling services, individual psychotherapy for children and adolescents, as well as individual and group psychopedagogical programs. The Child Psychologists at the center offer parent counseling on issues concerning parents, such as painful transitions, more specifically, managing divorce, coping with grief/death/illness in the family, difficulties in handling everyday situations like setting boundaries for children’s behavior, addressing difficulties with children’s nutrition and sleep, toilet training, managing the child’s refusal to attend school or complete homework, behavioral problems such as conflicts within family relationships, managing aggression and angry outbursts, addressing internet addiction, emotional problems including managing bullying experienced at school, phobias, insecurity, introversion, passivity, and jealousy towards a sibling. Additionally, they provide individual psychotherapy for children and adolescents facing emotional or behavioral difficulties such as anxiety, phobias, low self-esteem, obsessions, psychosomatic issues, eating disorders, selective mutism, aggressive or passive behavior, delinquent behavior, internet or electronic game addiction, and difficulties in social and interpersonal relationships. Finally, they offer individual or group psychopedagogical programs for children who demonstrate difficulties in communication and social skills, meaning they struggle to communicate effectively with others, behave appropriately in various social situations, make friends, share, wait their turn, follow rules, accept defeat, and understand others’ intentions and emotions.

Το Κέντρο ΚΕ.ΘΕ.ΣΥ - Γεροντή Ανδριάννα βρίσκεται στην οδό Παπανικολή 146 στο Χαλάνδρι. Η Γεροντή Ανδριάννα ξεκίνησε τις σπουδές της στον τομέα της Ψυχολογίας στο University of Bedfordshire της Αγγλίας και συνέχισε στο South Eastern College στην Ελλάδα. Εκπαιδεύτηκε στην Κλινική Ψυχοπαθολογία, στη Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεία, στην Ομαδική Αναλυτική Ψυχοθεραπεία, στην Ατομική και Οικογενειακή Συστημική Αναπαράσταση, στην Κλινική Ύπνωση, Gestalt Therapy, στο Body Mirror System και στο Theta Healing Level 1 &2. Επιπλέον, έχει εκπαιδευτεί στον Συντονισμό Ομάδων Σχολικών Γονέων, στις Διαταραχές Λόγου, στις Μαθησιακές Δυσκολίες, στη Χοροθεραπεία για ενήλικες (Laban Analysis) και στην κινητική θεραπεία για παιδιά (Veronica Sherborne). Έπειτα από 20 χρόνια εμπειρίας στο χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας, έμαθε πως αυτό που χρειάζεται κάθε άνθρωπος είναι να τον κοιτάζεις στα μάτια και να νιώθεις τη βαθύτερη ανάγκη του. Για το λόγο αυτό δημιούργησε και το ΚΕ.ΘΕ.ΣΥ. Αυτήν την ανάγκη έχει στόχο να καλύψει εκείνη και οι συνεργάτες της, αγκαλιάζοντας τον άνθρωπο με αγάπη και κατανόηση και κοιτάζοντας το πρόβλημά του σα να είναι δικό τους. Βασικά εργαλεία σε αυτή την προσπάθεια αποτελούν η Ανασυνδυασμένη Εκλεκτική Συμβουλευτική, αλλά και η μέθοδος "Όταν συνάντησα Εμένα!", μέσω της οποίας μπορεί κάποιος να δουλέψει και να λύσει θέματα αυτοπεποίθησης. Το ΚΕ.ΘΕ.ΣΥ ξεκίνησε να λειτουργεί το 2001 με κύριο στόχο, την προαγωγή της Ψυχικής Υγείας, παιδιών, εφήβων και ενηλίκων, μέσω Συμβουλευτικής Αγωγής - Αυτογνωσίας και Εκπαιδευτικών Σεμιναρίων. Η Δημιουργός του Κέντρου, Ανδριάννα Γεροντή, δεν έπαψε στιγμή όλα αυτά τα χρόνια να ενδιαφέρεται για την ορθότερη λειτουργία του Κέντρου και την καλύτερη δυνατή προσφορά στους ανθρώπους. Σαν αποτέλεσμα όλης αυτής της προσπάθειας, ένας αρκετά μεγάλος αριθμός παιδιών και ενηλίκων, έχουν μάθει να αξιοποιούν τις δυνατότητές τους, ενισχύοντας την αυτοπεποίθησή τους και αντιμετωπίζοντας επιτυχώς τις δυσκολίες της καθημερινότητας τους. Το Κέντρο στελεχώνεται από μια έμπειρη ομάδα ειδικών: Ψυχολόγων, Παιδοψυχολόγων, Λογοπαιδικών, Εργοθεραπευτών, Διατροφολόγων οι οποίοι επιλέχθηκαν με κριτήρια όχι μόνο βάση της εμπειρίας και των ικανοτήτων τους, αλλά και ανθρωπιάς, αγάπης και ευαισθητοποίησης προς τον συνάνθρωπο.

Nikolidaki Eleni is a Child Psychologist, School Psychologist, and Systemic - Family Psychotherapist. She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she trained in Synthetic – Systemic and Family Psychotherapy (SY.MO.SY.TH) at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations. Concurrently, she holds certifications in Special Education from the University of Patras, in the Psychology of Children's Drawing from the Hellenic Open University, and in School Psychology from the University of Western Attica. She works as a Psychologist in public school units and institutions in both Primary and Secondary Education, while also collaborating privately with special education centers, nursery, and kindergarten schools, providing psychological support to children and parental counseling. She also conducts parenting schools as well as training sessions for educators and parents. Moreover, she volunteers as a psychologist at the Non-Profit Organization "EXARTISI," based in Thessaloniki, which aims to promote mental health and combat addictions. Together with the team, she has created a series of children's books concerning the addiction cycle and the "Smoking Cessation Diary for Adolescents aged 15-18." Previously, she has worked as a psychologist and mental health counselor on the nationwide counseling line 11525 "Union, Together for the Child," with the "Health Allies" of the Medical School of the University of Athens, and as a trainee psychologist at the Hellenic Center for Mental Hygiene and Research in the child and adolescent unit (E.KE.PSY.E.). She currently practices in her private office in Neo Psychiko, primarily conducting individual sessions with adolescents and adults.

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.

The Center for Specialized Therapies Development of Speech and Work is located in Kaisariani, with the scientific director being Special Educator Kentro Eidikon Therapeion Anaptyksi Logou Kai Ergou. The Center is staffed by highly trained therapists with many years of experience, covering a wide range to provide a more effective approach and treatment for each individual patient. Specifically, the team includes a Speech Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Special Educator, and Occupational Therapist, offering personalized therapeutic programs tailored to the needs of each person with respect for their personality and particularities. Some of the services provided at the Center for Specialized Therapies Development of Speech and Work include the treatment of articulation and phonological disorders, addressing learning difficulties, autism, ADHD, as well as psychological support and counseling for children and adolescents.

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.

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.

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.

The Kentro Psyxopaidagogikis Ypostiriksis Psyxagogein is a modern, fully equipped, and specially designed center to meet the needs of children, adolescents, and adults. The Director of the Center is Kentro Psyxopaidagogikis Ypostiriksis Psyxagogein, Psychologist - Child Psychologist - Special Systemic Therapist for Couples and Families. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Faculty of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The Center's goal is to provide specialized support to children and their families by offering comprehensive services in the field of diagnosis, assessment, therapy, and rehabilitation of developmental and learning difficulties in children and adolescents. Finally, it covers a wide range of therapeutic programs for adults.

Mpoutsali Maria is a Child Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a professional license, maintaining a private practice in Metamorfosi. She conducts both in-person and online sessions. She provides psychotherapeutic services to adults, children, adolescents, and parents. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and a postgraduate degree in "Clinical Interventions in Addictions" from the same university. Additionally, she has specialized in "Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) for Adults" at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling (K.E.PSY.SY.), and has received further training in "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)" at the Society for Cognitive Behavioral Studies, as well as in coordinating "Parent School Groups and Adolescent Groups" at the Panhellenic Association of Parent Schools. She completed her postgraduate internship at the OKANA Adolescents Unit - "Atrapós," and volunteered her services at the Association of Parents, Guardians, and Friends of Individuals with Autism in Rethymno. Throughout her professional career, she has worked as a Psychotherapist in the Social Service of the Municipality of Ilion and as a chaperone in the Camping Program of the Panhellenic Federation of Parent and Guardian Associations of Persons with Disabilities (P.O.S.G.K.A.me.A.). To date, she collaborates with Special Therapy Centers in Attica, where she conducts individual psychotherapy sessions with children and adolescents, as well as parent counseling sessions. In the context of her continuous training and professional development, she has participated in scientific conferences and specialized seminars focusing on psychological research and innovative therapeutic approaches.