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 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.

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.

Xrysolora Artemis Kai Synergates is a Child Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Syros. She holds a degree from the Open University Milton Keynes in the United Kingdom and has completed postgraduate training in Art Therapy "Behavior Analysis - Therapy through Art," postgraduate training in Play Therapy "Sensory & Messy Play," as well as postgraduate studies in "Child and Youth Studies" at University West in Sweden. In her private practice, she handles a wide range of cases covering the entire spectrum of her specialty, always focusing on providing the best possible service tailored to the individualized needs of each person she treats.

Xristidi Katerina MSc, BTEC is a Child Psychologist with a private practice in Pangrati. She holds a degree in Psychology from Panteion University and completed a postgraduate specialization program in Child, Adolescent, and Family Psychotherapy at London Metropolitan University, London. Additionally, she completed her specialization in Integrative Counseling/Psychotherapy (BTEC Advanced Professional Diploma in Integrative Counseling) from the English institution Pearson, recognized by the British Association of Counselling & Psychotherapy. A key advantage of the Integrative Approach is that it combines techniques from various approaches, allowing flexible adaptation to the needs and personality of each patient. She has worked at the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia," the therapy center "En logo kai ergo," and the Hellenic Society for the Protection & Rehabilitation of Disabled Children, at the neuropsychological rehabilitation center for individuals with brain injuries, and in the infant department. Finally, she regularly attends numerous conferences and seminars as part of her continuing professional development.

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.

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.

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 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.

Kouroumpli Aikaterini is a Child Psychologist and the scientific director of the Center for Special Therapies "Metagnosi" in Kallithea. She holds a Psychology degree from London Metropolitan University and a master's degree in Child Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire. She attended an educational program on Contemporary Issues in Child Psychiatry at the child psychiatry department of the General Children's Hospital. She received training in the Management of Emotional Psychological Trauma in the Psychology department, as well as in Special Education, Learning Difficulties, and Dyslexia at the Department of Special Education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She worked as a volunteer psychologist with the association "Together for the Child" and provided parallel support at the 19th Kindergarten of Kallithea. Additionally, she worked as a child psychologist at the Pedagogical Center for Mental Health and Learning Difficulties and participated in seminars as part of her ongoing professional development. Finally, she manages cases across the entire spectrum of child psychology, with a specialization in anxiety disorders, emotional disorders, and pervasive developmental disorders.

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.