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 Θωμαΐδη Χριστιάνα MSc είναι Παιδοψυχολόγος - Ψυχολόγος - Ειδικός θεραπευτικού παιχνιδιού (Play Therapy) και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στην Παλλήνη. Διαθέτει ακαδημαϊκή κατάρτιση στη Ψυχολογία, την Παιδοψυχολογία, το Θεραπευτικό Παιχνίδι και τις Επιστήμες της Προσχολικής Αγωγής, ενώ έχει εξειδικευτεί σε τομείς όπως η γνωσιακή–συμπεριφορική προσέγγιση για το άγχος, η σχολική ψυχολογία, η συμβουλευτική γονέων, η διαπαιδαγώγηση στη σχολική ηλικία και η εκπαίδευση ενηλίκων.

Έχει αποκτήσει σημαντική επαγγελματική εμπειρία παρέχοντας ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε παιδιά και οικογένειες, συνεργαζόμενη με φορείς ψυχικής υγείας και ανάπτυξης παιδιών. Παράλληλα, έχει δραστηριοποιηθεί στον ακαδημαϊκό χώρο ως εισηγήτρια και διδάσκουσα, καθώς και στον τομέα της έρευνας και της εκπαίδευσης μέσω κοινωνικών και εκπαιδευτικών οργανισμών.

Είναι μέλος διεθνών επαγγελματικών φορέων στον χώρο του θεραπευτικού παιχνιδιού και συμμετέχει ενεργά σε επιστημονικά συνέδρια και εκπαιδευτικές δράσεις που αφορούν τη γονεϊκότητα, την ψυχική υγεία των παιδιών και την προστασία ευάλωτων κοινωνικών ομάδων. Με επίκεντρο τις ανάγκες κάθε παιδιού και οικογένειας, προσφέρει εξατομικευμένη υποστήριξη με στόχο την ενίσχυση της συναισθηματικής ανάπτυξης, της ανθεκτικότητας και της ψυχικής ευημερίας.

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.

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.

Aliki Patera is a child psychologist – psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She has extensive experience in psychological support and psychotherapy for adults, children, and adolescents, as well as in parental counseling. Since 2013, she has been working at the Children and Adolescents Service of the Vyronas – Kaisariani Community Mental Health Center (1st Psychiatric Clinic, Aeginiteio Hospital), where she is a member of the interdisciplinary team engaged in clinical, diagnostic, and research work. She also participates in community prevention and awareness initiatives and educational programs.

She graduated from the Department of Psychology (Faculty of Philosophy, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) and holds a postgraduate degree in “Mental Health Promotion and Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders” (Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens). She has completed further training in Clinical Psychopathology (annual seminar “Panagiotis Oulis,” 1st Psychiatric Clinic, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens) and has attended a series of specialized seminars and conferences at recognized institutions. Notably, she has deepened her knowledge in areas such as parenting and mental health, psychiatry and gender identity in adolescence, adolescent romantic relationships, as well as anxiety symptoms and impulsive behaviors.

Previously, she worked (2010–2012) in the Adult Short-Term Hospitalization Department of Aeginiteio Hospital, where she provided psychotherapeutic support to hospitalized patients.

She is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Hospital Psychologists and the Hellenic Society of the New Lacanian School, while also participating in the educational program of the Academy of Clinical Studies of Athens (ACSA). Additionally, she teaches and supervises undergraduate and postgraduate psychology students.

In her private practice, she provides psych emotional assessment and psychotherapy, either short-term or long-term, tailored to the individuality and specific needs of each client.

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.

Daktylidi Flora, MSc, is a Clinical Psychologist - Child Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Marousi, providing psychotherapy and psychological support to adults, adolescents, and children, as well as parental counseling and couples therapy. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where each individual can freely express themselves, gain deeper self-understanding, and develop their personal strengths.

She is a graduate of the undergraduate Psychology program and the postgraduate Clinical Psychology program at the European University Cyprus.

During her training, she gained significant clinical experience by completing her internship at the Refugee Department of the Red Cross, while also completing over 1000 hours of practical training at the Toxotis Foundation, which supports adults with intellectual disabilities, as well as at the Psychiatric Services of Cyprus.

Simultaneously, she continuously updates her knowledge through seminars and specializations in modern therapeutic approaches, such as couples therapy, aiming to provide comprehensive and scientifically validated mental health services.

She has also collaborated as a psychologist with businesses, supporting employees' mental well-being and professional development.

She believes that psychotherapy can be a vital tool for change and personal growth, helping individuals manage difficulties, strengthen their psychological resilience, and improve their quality of life.

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 Special Therapy Center "1 Dis Abilities" is located in Vyronas and offers services in Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Psychological Support, Psychotherapy, and Special Education. Within the safe environment of the center, the word disabilities transforms into 1 dis abilities! The center is managed by Kentro Eidikon Therapeion Ena Dis Abilities, specialized in the field of Occupational Therapy. The center's team also comprises specialized professionals in Speech Therapy, Psychological Support, and Special Education, who individually address and collaboratively manage each child's developmental, learning, or communication difficulties, highlighting their uniqueness through a modern, thoughtfully designed therapy program. The center creates a world of possibilities for each child, with targeted therapies leading to their substantial progress. The aim is meaningful empowerment and improvement of quality of life through a personalized and functional approach. Interventions by the center's team are conducted either individually or in small groups, within a safe, creative, and supportive environment. Their purpose is for each child to discover their capabilities, enhance their functionality, and enjoy daily life with autonomy and confidence.

Kazakou Elli is a Clinical Psychologist. She studied Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and pursued postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychopathology and Psychoanalysis at Université Paris Cité (Paris Descartes) in Paris, completing a two-year program focused on the Clinical Psychopathology of children and adolescents.

She has worked in clinical settings in Athens and Paris, with children, adolescents, and adults. In Paris, she had the opportunity to work as an intern in reception centers for parents, infants, toddlers, and their caregivers, at medico-pedagogical centers, as well as at Necker Hospital (Necker-Enfants Malades University Hospital), providing psychological support to expectant and new mothers, and/or couples experiencing perinatal grief.

In recent years, she has been working in Athens as a collaborator of the Diagnostic and Therapeutic Unit for Children "Spyros Doxiadis," providing therapeutic work with children, adolescents, and parents under psychoanalytic supervision. She has also collaborated with kindergartens, coordinating "parent groups," and for the past four years, she has worked as a psychologist at a private school, thus maintaining active contact with the school environment and the daily challenges faced by children.

She is a member of the team and a reception representative of the association "Our Big Home," a space catering to children aged 0-4 years and their caregivers, inspired by the philosophy of the "Green House" (Maison Verte) of the French psychoanalyst Françoise Dolto. 

Gerantzi Dialekti is a Child Psychologist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She completed her studies in Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology from the University of Nicosia. Additionally, she holds a Master's Degree in Career Guidance and Counseling from the European University Cyprus and a Degree in Primary Education from the University of Western Macedonia. She has extensive professional experience as a Psychologist in public and private institutions, such as KEDASY and private therapy centers.

Anastasia Tatiana Koutoumatsioti is a Clinical Psychologist maintaining a private practice in Ambelokipi, Attica. She holds a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is specialized with a postgraduate degree (MSc) in Clinical Psychology from the same University. She possesses a Professional Practice License in Psychology (License No. 8714) and is a Regular Member of the "Association of Greek Psychologists." She has been trained and continues to train in programs related to psychoanalysis and psychoanalytic psychotherapy for children/adolescents and adults. Additionally, she has been trained in administering, scoring, and interpreting psychometric and projective tests. Recognizing the need for continuous education and updates on the latest developments in the field, she has completed a specialization program in Autism Spectrum Disorder and regularly attends numerous seminars, conferences, and workshops related to mental health. She has clinical experience in the psychopathology of children, adolescents, and adults through collaboration and practical training with public institutions such as the "Agia Sofia" Children's Hospital - University Child Psychiatry Clinic, the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas" - Psychiatric Department, and the Korydallos Prison Facility. Furthermore, in recent years, she has worked as a Psychologist in Primary and Secondary Education School Units and collaborates with Private Centers. She maintains a private practice, providing psychosocial support, information, and counseling guidance to Children/Adolescents, Adults, Couples, and Parents.

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.

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.

In a warm and bright space, we host the Child Psychology Center "Internus," where we offer our services to our young friends and their parents. Preschool and school-age children experience positive and negative emotions daily, just like adults. It is a great mistake to believe that because they are young, they do not understand, as children perceive things in their own unique and innocent way. With this in mind, our center strives to provide the child and their family with a healthy psychological environment through its services, enabling them to express themselves spontaneously and freely through play, drawing, and our other activities.

Psychotherapy Center for Children, Adolescents & Adults Eleni Peppa and Aris Papacharalampos are psychologists-psychotherapists with years of experience in child protection settings (SOS Children's Villages), hospitals (Gennimata, Evangelismos), private institutions, and have specialized in systemic and family therapy. They are the founders and scientific directors of the Psychotherapy and Psychoeducation Center for children, adolescents, adults, and groups, "Psy Academy" in Glyfada. The team consists of experienced psychologists-psychotherapists specializing in a variety of issues such as anxiety disorders, psychological trauma, adolescent difficulties, interpersonal problems, prolonged grief, etc. The approach is enriched systemic with elements from narrative psychology and attachment theory. The center hosts groups for adolescents, adults, and parents.

Βοηθάμε τους γονείς να βρουν λύση σε οτιδήποτε τους απασχολεί με το παιδί τους, από 0 έως 18 ετών, προσωποποιημένα στην οικογένειά τους, με βαθιά γνώση γύρω από τη διαπαιδαγώγηση και βασισμένοι στις τελευταίες επιστημονικές εξελίξεις.

Ειδικευόμαστε στην Συμβουλευτική Γονέων που πιστεύουμε ότι αποτελεί το πρώτο βήμα στην αντιμετώπιση οποιουδήποτε ζητήματος στην οικογένεια. Και δεν μένουμε στη θεωρία. Μοιραζόμαστε πρακτικούς τρόπους και δοκιμασμένες τακτικές που μπορούν οι γονείς να υιοθετήσουν για να δουν πολύ γρήγορα τις αλλαγές που θέλουν στην οικογένειά τους.

Ζητήματα όπως το άγχος και η επιθετικότητα, η αποτελεσματική οριοθέτηση, ο ύπνος, το φαγητό και οι φυσικές ανάγκες, η προσκόλληση, η συνεργασία των γονέων στη διαπαιδαγώγηση, αλλά και ζητήματα γύρω από τη χρήση οθονών, την κοινωνικοποίηση, το σχολείο και τις σχολικές επιδόσεις, τον σχολικό εκφοβισμό, οικογενειακές κρίσεις, κ.ά., βρίσκονται στο επίκεντρο της δουλειάς μας.

Μέσα από τη συνεργασία μας, οι γονείς μαθαίνουν τη φιλοσοφία και τη λογική πίσω από τη Θετική Διαπαιδαγώγηση, τον ενδεδειγμένο πλέον τρόπο καθοδήγησης των παιδιών, χωρίς συμβατικές μεθόδους όπως η τιμωρία, οι φωνές, οι απειλές, οι δωροδοκίες, κ.ά. Οι γονείς εξοικειώνονται σταδιακά με τη νέα προσέγγιση, μαθαίνουν πρακτικούς τρόπους για το πώς μπορούν να υποστηρίξουν το παιδί τους σε κάθε πρόκληση που αντιμετωπίζει, χτίζουν μαζί του μία ζεστή, υποστηρικτική σχέση, και βλέπουν το κλίμα στην οικογένειά τους να μεταμορφώνεται.

Η Συμβουλευτική Γονέων στο Parenting.Today δεν μένει στη θεωρία. Εστιάζει στην πράξη, δίνοντας στους γονείς συγκεκριμένα εργαλεία και πρακτικές εφαρμογές επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένες, που αποσκοπούν στην βέλτιστη υποστήριξη των παιδιών καθώς μεγαλώνουν. Η συμβουλευτική γίνεται από εξειδικευμένους συμβούλους γονέων σε ιδιωτικές διαδικτυακές συναντήσεις των 50 λεπτών.

Ξεκινήστε ακόμα και αυθημερόν, επιλέγοντας την ώρα που σάς εξυπηρετεί!

Η Θετική Διαπαιδαγώγηση:

1.Διαμορφώνει ένα κλίμα αμοιβαίου σεβασμού στην οικογένεια.

2.Δίνει στα παιδιά το εσωτερικό κίνητρο για να ακολουθούν την καθοδήγηση των γονιών τους.

3.Τα παιδιά τα πάνε καλύτερα στο σχολείο, έχουν λιγότερα προβλήματα συμπεριφοράς και καλύτερη συναισθηματική υγεία μεγαλώνοντας.

4.Ενισχύει την αυτοπεποίθηση των παιδιών, καλλιεργεί την αυτονομία τους και τα προετοιμάζει κατάλληλα για την εφηβεία και την ενήλικη ζωή.

5.Βοηθάει τους γονείς να είναι πιο ευαίσθητοι και υποστηρικτικοί για τα παιδιά τους, πιο ήρεμοι και πιο χαρούμενοι στον γονικό τους ρόλο.

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.

Agapi Rapti is a Child Psychologist - Narrative Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in Ilion, Attica. She provides individual psychotherapy and counseling sessions to children, adolescents, and adults, either in-person or online. She graduated in Psychology from the University of Crete. Additionally, she holds a master's degree in "Applied Child and Adolescent Psychology" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as in "Electronic Learning" from the University of Piraeus. Furthermore, she is specialized in Narrative Psychotherapy and Community Practice from the Narrative Psychotherapy and Community Practice Institute of Thessaloniki in collaboration with the Dulwich Centre in Australia. Concurrently, during her studies, she has participated in numerous seminars, such as Play Therapy, Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Counseling and Career Guidance, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), as well as First Aid. From 2017 to 2023, she has volunteered counseling and psychotherapy services at the social clinics of the Municipality of Ilion. From 2020 to the present, she has worked in settings such as the social service of the Municipality of Ilion, specialized therapy centers, as well as in primary education schools, School Educational Support Networks (S.D.E.Y.), and Interdisciplinary Assessment, Counseling, and Support Centers (K.E.D.A.S.Y.) in Athens, with primary responsibilities including the psychoemotional and psychometric assessment of children and adolescents, parent counseling, and psychoeducation for children/adolescents.