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.

Η Ανδριάνα Κανελλοπούλου είναι αδειούχος Παιδοψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπέυτρια, απόφοιτη του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας της Φιλοσοφικής Σχολής του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης. Διαθέτει Μεταπτυχιακό Δίπλωμα Ειδίκευσης -MSc στην «Ειδική Αγωγή και Εκπαίδευση», ενώ έχει ολοκληρώσει τετραετή εκπαίδευση στη Γνωσιακή - Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT), με εξειδίκευση στην ψυχοθεραπεία ενηλίκων, εφήβων και παιδιών. Έχει εργαστεί σε παιδοψυχιατρικό πλαίσιο, προσφέροντας συμβουλευτική υποστήριξη σε γονείς και ατομική ψυχοθεραπεία σε παιδιά και εφήβους, αντιμετωπίζοντας ένα ευρύ φάσμα δυσκολιών. Η προσέγγισή της είναι επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη, με στόχο τη δημιουργία μιας ασφαλούς και υποστηρικτικής σχέσης που ενδυναμώνει το άτομο να αντιμετωπίσει τις προκλήσεις της ζωής. Στο πλαίσιο της ιδιωτικής άσκησης του επαγγέλματος, παρέχει ψυχοθεραπεία και συμβουλευτική σε ενήλικες, εφήβους, παιδιά (από 4 ετών και άνω) και οικογένειες, προσαρμόζοντας τη θεραπευτική προσέγγιση στις ιδιαίτερες ανάγκες κάθε περιστατικού.

Stergiopoulou Georgia, licensed Psychologist in Greece (Reg. No. 3997), completed her undergraduate studies at the Department of Psychology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She then pursued postgraduate studies in Developmental Psychology at the University of Crete, graduating with distinction. She has completed theoretical training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Society for Cognitive and Behavioral Studies, in accordance with the criteria of the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT).

She possesses clinical and practical experience in various mental health institutions, such as the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, the Mobile Mental Health Unit of Lasithi, and the “Athena” Residential Facility of the Panhellenic Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Vocational Reintegration (PEPSAEE).

Additionally, she has worked for three years in a Center for Special Therapies, providing psychotherapy services to children and adolescents as well as Parent Counseling.

She works privately, offering individual psychotherapy sessions to adults, children, and adolescents with a wide range of interpersonal difficulties (separation, grief), depression, anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Phobias), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. She also provides parent counseling sessions.

Diamantis Akis PhD is a Child Psychologist, Doctor, and a graduate in Psychology from Panteion University, maintaining a private practice in Holargos. He completed postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology at the University Paris 7-Denis Diderot within the Doctoral School of Research in Psychoanalysis. Since 2008, he has been working at the University Child Psychiatry Clinic of the General Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia," and for a period, he served as the head of the Training and Psychosocial Support Center for Adolescents. He possesses specialized knowledge in psychoanalysis and adult psychotherapy, as well as child psychotherapy. He has published articles in psychoanalytic journals and has presented papers at Greek and international conferences. Finally, he is a member of the Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society and the International Psychoanalytic Association.

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.

Verani Zoi is a Psychologist/Child Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice at Mavili Square. She holds degrees in Psychology and English Literature from the University of Strathclyde in the United Kingdom and a degree in Psychology from The Open University. She completed a postgraduate program in Mental Health: Psychological Therapies at the Medical School of the University of London and in School Psychology from the University of Nicosia. Additionally, she received Clinical and Psychotherapeutic Training from the Hellenic Society of Group Analysis and Family Therapy and trained in Group Analytic Psychotherapy through the Clinical Therapeutic Training Program of the Personality Disorders Department of the First Psychiatric Clinic of Aeginiteio Hospital. She has worked in the Community Support Program for Individuals with Mental Health Issues at Renfrewshire Council in Scotland and collaborates with the Peristeri Mental Health Center, the Family Counseling Center of the Municipality of Zografou, and the Adolescent Unit and the Medico-Educational Service of the Hellenic Center for Mental Health. Finally, she regularly attends and participates in national and European conferences and workshops as part of her ongoing professional development.

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.

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.

Η Τουρκοχωρίτη Δήμητρα είναι Παιδοψυχολόγος MSc - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί από το 2020 ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Κολωνάκι, όπου παρέχει ατομικές ψυχοθεραπευτικές συνεδρίες σε ενήλικες, παιδιά και εφήβους. Σπούδασε Ψυχολογία στο Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο Κοινωνικών & Πολιτικών Επιστημών και πραγματοποίησε μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στο Τμήμα Ψυχολογίας του University of Central Lancashire, UK (MSc in Psychology of Child Development). Ειδικεύτηκε με τετραετή μετεκπαίδευση στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφοριστική Θεραπεία Ενηλίκων, παιδιών και εφήβων στην Εταιρεία Γνωσιακών και Συμπεριφοριστικών Σπουδών και πιστοποιήθηκε σύμφωνα με τα Training and Supervision Standards της European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). Βρίσκεται στη διαδικασία ολοκλήρωσης λήψης διπλώματος της ως Mindfulness teacher από το Πανεπιστήμιο της Οξφόρδης (Oxford Mindfulness Foundation), στο πλαίσιο του διετούς προγράμματος εκπαίδευσης στη Γνωσιακή Θεραπεία Βασισμένη στην Ενσυνειδητότητα (Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy – MBCT). Έχει αποκτήσει άρτια κατάρτιση και επάρκεια στον συντονισμό παρεμβάσεων MBCT για ποικίλα ζητήματα, όπως άγχος, διαταραχές διάθεσης, χρόνιος πόνος και διαχείριση σωματικού βάρους, καθώς και για την ενίσχυση της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας, της ποιότητας ζωής και της αποτελεσματικής διαχείρισης των καθημερινών προκλήσεων. Παράλληλα, ολοκληρώνει τη μετεκπαίδευσή της στη Θεραπεία Σχημάτων, έχοντας λάβει πιστοποιήσεις παρακολούθησης των απαραίτητων σεμιναρίων από την Ελληνική Εταιρεία Θεραπείας Σχημάτων και βρίσκεται σε εποπτική φάση και διαδικασία αξιολόγησης, με στόχο την πιστοποίησή της από τον οργανισμό International Society of Schema Therapy. Η Θεραπεία Σχημάτων αποτελεί μια ολοκληρωμένη και συστηματική θεραπευτική προσέγγιση γνωσιακής- συμπεριφοριστικής προέλευσης, η οποία επεκτείνει τις δυνατότητες παρέμβασης σε χρόνιες ψυχολογικές δυσκολίες, εστιάζοντας στον εντοπισμό και την αλλαγή βαθιά ριζωμένων μοτίβων σκέψης και συμπεριφοράς που επηρεάζουν τις σχέσεις, τη συναισθηματική ρύθμιση και την γενικότερη αυτοεκτίμηση του ατόμου. Διαθέτει επαγγελματική εμπειρία ως Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια ενηλίκων, έχοντας συνεργαστεί με Αστικές Μη Κερδοσκοπικές Εταιρείες, Κέντρα Ημέρας, κοινωνικές υπηρεσίες και επιστημονικούς φορείς, καθώς και στο πρόγραμμα του Υπουργείου Υγείας και Κοινωνικής Αλληλεγγύης για την ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σχετικά με την COVID-19. Επιπλέον, έχει συνεργαστεί με φροντιστήρια μέσης εκπαίδευσης, κέντρα ξένων γλωσσών και ιδιωτικά εκπαιδευτήρια, παρέχοντας ατομικές και ομαδικές συνεδρίες σε παιδιά και εφήβους, υπηρεσίες σχολικού επαγγελματικού προσανατολισμού, συμβουλευτική γονέων και ψυχοεκπαιδευτικά σεμινάρια για γονείς και εκπαιδευτικό προσωπικό. Τέλος, έχει δημοσιεύσει άρθρα σε επιστημονικά περιοδικά, συμμετέχει ως ομιλήτρια σε επιστημονικά συνέδρια και παρακολουθεί συστηματικά εκπαιδευτικά σεμινάρια, όπως το σεμινάριο βασικής εκπαίδευσης στη Θεραπέια Αποδοχής και Δέσμευσης (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy-ACT) κ.α.

Patrinou Venetia is a Psychologist maintaining a private practice in Peristeri. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and holds a diploma in Counseling from the ICPS College of Humanities. She has also been trained in Career Counseling and Vocational Guidance at the Social Psychology Laboratory of Panteion University. Furthermore, she completed her postgraduate studies in School Psychology at the University of Essex. Committed to lifelong learning, she continuously attends conferences and seminars on mental health, psychosexual disorders, anxiety disorders in children, adolescents and adults, neuroscience, and counseling. Notably, she has participated in conferences organized by the Hellenic Psychological Society, KESYTHE, Aeginiteion Hospital, and Panteion University. Professionally, she has experience working in public and private institutions such as the Child Mental Health Center of Athens (IKA), the Petroupoli Counseling Station, and specialized therapy centers, while also being active in the field of parallel support. She has worked with children, adolescents, and adults with typical development as well as with individuals on the autism spectrum, intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, anxiety disorders, and psychosocial issues. Additionally, she provides private psychological support and counseling sessions to children, adolescents, young adults, and parents, and organizes online anxiety management seminars and parenting workshops. She is distinguished by her social and communication skills, empathy, and flexibility. Lastly, the specialist applies counseling techniques based on the person-centered approach, emphasizing authenticity, unconditional acceptance, and empathy, always aiming at the psychosocial empowerment and meaningful support of the individual.

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.

Tzoumerka Viky MSc is a Psychologist specializing in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Athens Center for the Study of Man (AKMA). She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Derby and holds a Master's degree in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of East London. Additionally, she graduated from the Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a focus on Psychology. She has experience in various mental health settings, having collaborated with private therapeutic centers as well as organizations supporting children, adolescents, and vulnerable populations. She has also been actively involved in psychosocial empowerment interventions at individual and family levels. Currently, she maintains a private practice in Exarcheia, where she conducts individual psychotherapy sessions for adults, children, and adolescents.

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.

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.