Health professionals for Psycotherapy LGBTQ in Athens

Η Λαγιάκου Λυδία και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στα Άνω Πατήσια. Ολοκλήρωσε τις σπουδές της στην Ψυχολογία (BaHons) στο Αμερικανικό Κολλέγιο Ελλάδος Deree αποκτώντας διπλό πτυχίο από το εν λόγω ίδρυμα αλλά και από το Open University της Αγγλίας. Κατά τη διάρκεια των σπουδών της είχε λάβει υποτροφία από το International Honors Program του κολλεγίου, ενώ τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια των σπουδών της συμμετείχε σε πρόγραμμα εθελοντισμού και μετεκπαίδευσης στο Γενικού Στρατιωτικού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών 401 στο τμήμα της Διασυνδετικής Ψυχιατρικής. Στη συνέχεια ολοκλήρωσε το μεταπτυχιακό της πάνω στη Συμβουλευτική Ψυχολογία και Ψυχοθεραπεία (MSc). Ταυτόχρονα, παρακολούθησε ποικίλα σεμινάρια όπως Ψυχοθεραπεία με επίκεντρο το συναίσθημα (Emotion-Focused Therapy) και Άβατον - Οριακές Περιπτώσεις (με θέμα την οριακή διαταραχή προσωπικότητας ιδωμένη μέσα από την ψυχαναλυτική σκοπιά). Επίσης, έχει παρευρεθεί στο 1ο Συνέδριο Ψυχοθεραπείας της Ψυχιατρικής και στο Διεθνές Συνέδριο Υπαρξιακής Ψυχοθεραπείας του 2023. Τέλος, πραγματοποιεί συνεδρίες βραχείας ψυχοθεραπείας εθελοντικά στην Εταιρεία Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης και Ψυχικής Υγείας (Ε.Π.Α.Ψ.Υ.).

Επί του παρόντος, είναι εκπαιδευόμενη ψυχοθεραπεύτρια Συστημικής προσέγγισης σε εγκεκριμένο εκπαιδευτικό κέντρο στην Αθήνα και παρακολουθεί ποικίλα σεμινάρια και εκπαιδεύσεις πιστοποίησης.

Marina Cresta is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist, holding a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy. She completed her clinical training at Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, and the 6th Municipal Medical Center of Athens, gaining experience in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges and chronic health conditions.

She has been trained in group therapy by the Hellenic Society for Existential Psychology and actively participates in seminars and conferences across various therapeutic approaches. Her work integrates psychodynamic thinking with an existential and person-centered stance, always tailoring the therapeutic process to each individual's unique needs.

In her sessions, she emphasizes building a relationship based on trust and authentic connection, providing a safe space where individuals feel heard, understood, and accepted.

Η Σταυρουλάκη Γεωργία - Μαρία είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια με ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Κολωνάκι. Είναι κάτοχος διδακτορικού τίτλου (PsychD) στη Συμβουλευτική Ψυχολογία από το University of Roehampton στο Λονδίνο, αναγνωρισμένο από τη British Psychological Society. Η διδακτορική της διατριβή επικεντρώθηκε στον ρόλο του ναρκισσισμού στον τρόπο με τον οποίο οι συμβουλευτικοί ψυχολόγοι διαχειρίζονται τον εαυτό τους στη θεραπευτική σχέση, ακολουθώντας μια συνθετική προσέγγιση που ενσωματώνει στοιχεία γνωσιακής - συμπεριφορικής και ψυχοδυναμικής θεωρίας. Έχει επίσης αποκτήσει Professional Certificate στις δεξιότητες Συμβουλευτικής από το The Hellenic Association of Continuing Education (THACE)), ενώ είναι απόφοιτος του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου Κοινωνικών και Πολιτικών Επιστημών.

Από το 2016 έως σήμερα εργάζεται ως Ψυχολόγος στο Υπουργείο Παιδείας, παρέχοντας κλινική αξιολόγηση και ψυχο-συναισθηματική υποστήριξη σε μαθητές ηλικίας 4 έως 21 ετών, καθώς και ψυχοπαιδαγωγικές παρεμβάσεις στο σχολικό πλαίσιο. Παράλληλα, υποστηρίζει εκπαιδευτικούς, υλοποιεί σεμινάρια ευαισθητοποίησης και πρόληψης σε θέματα ψυχικής υγείας και διαφορετικότητας, συμβουλεύει γονείς και συνεργάζεται με φορείς όπως νοσοκομεία και κέντρα ψυχικής υγείας. Έχει εργαστεί ως ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και εισηγήτρια ψυχοεκπαιδευτικών σεμιναρίων στο ΠΑΙ.ΚΕ.ΨΥ, παρέχοντας αξιολόγηση και θεραπευτική παρέμβαση σε παιδιά με μαθησιακές και συμπεριφορικές δυσκολίες, καθώς και υποστήριξη σε γονείς. Στο Συμβουλευτικό Κέντρο του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης προσέφερε ατομικές συνεδρίες συμβουλευτικής σε φοιτητές, αντιμετωπίζοντας ζητήματα όπως άγχος, διαπροσωπικές δυσκολίες και μαθησιακές προκλήσεις.

Η επαγγελματική της εμπειρία στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο περιλαμβάνει τη συνεργασία με το Macmillan Bereavement Service στο Ealing Hospital, όπου παρείχε υποστήριξη πένθους σε ενήλικες, εφήβους και παιδιά, καθώς και με το Wandsworth Association of Psychotherapists και το Kid’s Company, προσφέροντας συμβουλευτική σε άτομα με άγχος, κατάθλιψη, διατροφικές διαταραχές και προβλήματα συμπεριφοράς. Επιπλέον, πραγματοποίησε την πρακτική της άσκηση στον ΟΚΑΝΑ Πειραιά, στο πρόγραμμα υποκατάστασης μεθαδόνης.

Στον ακαδημαϊκό τομέα, διδάσκει ως Καθηγήτρια Ψυχολογίας στο Aegean College από το 2022 έως σήμερα, σε προπτυχιακά και μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα, ενώ στο παρελθόν διετέλεσε καθηγήτρια και υπεύθυνη προγράμματος Ψυχολογίας στο MBS Κολλέγιο Κρήτης, όπου δίδαξε πλήθος μαθημάτων και είχε ενεργό ρόλο στον συντονισμό και την ανάπτυξη του προγράμματος σπουδών.

Έχει συμμετάσχει ενεργά σε επιστημονικά συνέδρια και εκπαιδευτικά σεμινάρια, με εισηγήσεις σε θέματα όπως η ενίσχυση κινήτρων μάθησης, η διαφορετικότητα, ο σχολικός εκφοβισμός και οι ψυχοδυναμικές προσεγγίσεις στην αντιμετώπιση ψυχολογικών επιπτώσεων της πανδημίας COVID-19 σε παιδιά και εφήβους. Τέλος, έχει παρακολουθήσει πληθώρα εκπαιδευτικών προγραμμάτων και σεμιναρίων σε τομείς όπως η ψύχωση, η δραματοθεραπεία, η υποστήριξη ευάλωτων ομάδων και ο αυτισμός.

Tzoumerka Viky MSc is a Psychologist specializing in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Athens Center for the Study of the Human (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 possesses experience in various mental health settings, having collaborated with private therapeutic centers as well as organizations supporting children, adolescents, and vulnerable populations. Concurrently, she has been actively involved in psychosocial empowerment interventions at both individual and family levels. Currently, she maintains a private practice in Exarchia, where she conducts individual psychotherapeutic sessions with adults, children, and adolescents.

Pantelis Vranas is a Mental Health Counselor with a integrative approach, holder of a diploma in integrative counselling from COSCA (Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland), and maintains a private practice in Ano Patisia. He provides individual and group support using a comprehensive therapeutic method that integrates various approaches, emphasizing counseling for individuals facing difficulties, as well as supporting couples wishing to strengthen their relationship or resolve conflicts. He focuses particularly on counseling individuals from the LGBTQ+ community and addressing issues of loneliness and interpersonal relationships. He is a graduate of the Athens Synthesis Center and has attended educational programs at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) on "Psychology of Religion" and "Interpersonal Relationships: The Phenomenon of Loneliness in the Modern Era," as well as workshops on LGBTQ+ counseling (Psychopedia). He is a regular member of the Hellenic Society of Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy (EESTP).

Maria Mpanti is a licensed Psychologist and Psychotherapist. She maintains a private practice in the Gkyzi area. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Indianapolis, a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Educational Psychology from Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands, and is a Regular Member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and the Society of Community Therapists, Sociotherapists & Psychodramatists of Greece. She has a four-year specialization in Psychotherapy with a focus on Group-Analytic Psychodrama and Sociotherapy from the Open Psychotherapeutic Center - Institute of Psychodrama - Sociotherapy. She possesses extensive work experience with adults, adolescents, families, and children facing mental and emotional difficulties in Psychotherapeutic and Community settings, both in Greece and the Netherlands. In her private practice, she offers individual psychotherapy sessions for adults and adolescents, as well as group sessions utilizing the psychotherapeutic method of Psychodrama.

Thomaidi Paulina is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist, a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society (HPS), and maintains a private practice in Kypseli, Athens. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a postgraduate diploma in Forensic – Criminal Psychology from Coventry University. She trained in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has specialized in addressing issues related to anxiety, depression, personality disorders, as well as couples counseling and family therapy. She has consistently invested in her scientific development through numerous seminars and training programs covering topics such as trauma therapy, autoimmune diseases and mental health, domestic violence, and contemporary, revised guidelines for mental health treatment, ensuring that her services are based on the most reliable psychological practices. Academically, she has conducted research on the social stigma of LGBTQ+ community members, as well as on attitudes and behaviors toward sexual violence against women and double standards. She addresses issues of anxiety, depression, psychological trauma, eating disorders, addictions – dependencies, obsessive-compulsive disorders, personality disorders, and provides counseling services. Additionally, she offers couples and family counseling and therapy. Her treatment is LGBTQ+ friendly and tailored to cases of neurodiversity (ADHD, ASD, etc.).

Papadopoulou Georgia (Tzia) is a Psychologist - Integrative Psychotherapist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of East London and holder of a master's degree in Counseling & Psychotherapy. She applies the integrative psychotherapy model, tailoring the approach to the unique needs of each individual client. She combines techniques from cognitive, psychodynamic, and person-centered approaches with the aim of improving emotional well-being, personal development, and self-understanding. She provides individual sessions for adults and young people over 18 years old who wish to address issues such as anxiety, stress, emotional difficulties, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, losses, or identity crises.

She does not undertake a diagnostic role but focuses on psychological support and counseling, offering a safe, confidential, and warm environment for the client. She deeply believes in the power of acceptance, authenticity, and internal change. Her goal is to provide high-quality and scientifically supported psychological care, with humanity, empathy, and respect for each person's needs.

“I am not here to tell the client what to do. I am here to explore together what is happening within and around them, and to find, step by step, the path that fits their unique personality.”

Konstantina Skourla is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice at the Megaron Concert Hall. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and has completed postgraduate training in Clinical Psychopathology and Clinical Skills in Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis" at the First Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Research University Institute of Mental Health & Promotion of Knowledge in Mental Disorders), as well as postgraduate training in "Early Intervention in Psychosis" at the Research University Institute of Mental Health (EPI Psy). Furthermore, she is completing her clinical specialization in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (C.B.T.) at the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior (I.E.TH.S.) and in Dialectical Behavior Therapy at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research (EEES). She works as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior and in her private practice. Previously, she has collaborated with the Animus Corpus Psychotherapeutic Center and has worked as a Psychologist at the Mental Health Center of Peristeri and at the Special Child Care Center of the Naval Hospital of Piraeus. Lastly, sessions are conducted both in-person and remotely.

Robert Ian Kibet Ouko Babu is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist with private practices in Cholargos and Patissia, Athens. He holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire and a Master’s degree (MSc) in Integrative Psychotherapy and Counselling from the University of East London. He is currently completing his training in Person-Centered and Focusing-Oriented Experiential Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Focusing Center.

He is certified in Emotion Focused Couples Therapy by ICEEFT and the EFT Greek Network, and is also a certified Effective Parent Trainer through Gordon Hellas. In addition, he is currently completing a Master of Science in Global Health and Disaster Management at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.His clinical practice is grounded in the individual needs of each client and serves a diverse range of people. He actively supports diversity and inclusion, fostering a therapeutic environment where clients feel respected, heard, and understood.His therapeutic style is open, collaborative, and paced according to each client’s readiness and goals. He approaches every session with creativity and personal engagement, viewing therapy as a shared and evolving process. With many years of experience in psychotherapy, he follows a holistic approach, integrating multiple therapeutic models and methods to meet each person’s unique needs. He places emphasis not only on thoughts and emotions but also on bodily experience, recognizing the individuality of each client and their life context.

Tsoni Sevasti is a Psychologist (MSc) – Systemic Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in the Gyzi area, where she provides psychotherapy sessions to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and holds a postgraduate degree (MSc) in Child and Adolescent Mental Health from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is trained in Systemic Psychotherapy and has further specialized in the treatment of sexual disorders, having completed numerous continuing education programs. Her professional experience is extensive and includes work in various therapeutic and educational settings. She has offered individual and group psychotherapeutic support to populations with complex psychosocial needs, such as refugees, unaccompanied minors, and families in crisis, through humanitarian organizations such as PRAKSIS, MERIMNA, and the International Organization for Migration. Additionally, she has served as a school psychologist within initiatives of the Ministry of Education and has collaborated with Child and Adolescent Development Centers. She has presented scientific papers at national and international conferences and has delivered lectures and seminars in schools, teaching associations, and mental health facilities. Centered on scientific evidence, empathy, and respect for the uniqueness of each individual, she approaches therapeutic work through a holistic and experiential lens, enhancing the psychological resilience of her clients.

Nikoleta Ilda Vlassi is a Mental Health Counselor, Psychotherapist with a Integrative Approach,and Energy Healing Practitioner with over ten years of experience in personal development and psychosomatic balance. Her therapeutic journey began in adolescence, when in 1993 she was first introduced to the Silva Mind Control method, marking the start of a deep inner path of self-discovery that continues to this day. Since 2007, she has been an active member of a meditation group in Spain, where she deepens her practice in meditation and intuitive work, studying the unified science of the endouniverse developed by Jean-Paul Appel-Guerry. Her approach is holistic and integrative, combining elements of psychotherapy with energy techniques, guided meditation, psychospiritual shamanism, and experiential ritual practices. She draws inspiration from the work of Alejandro Jodorowsky and his psychospiritual shamanism, as well as from approaches such as systemic constellations and drama therapy, while also integrating the power of art, expression, and the body as tools for inner processing and healing.Born in Greece to a father from Corfu and a mother from Ecuador, she developed early on a multicultural and expansive perspective on human and spiritual development. She has lived and traveled in multiple countries, and for a period ran a meditation center in Ecuador, coordinating both in-person and online groups with participants from Latin American countries including Mexico, Peru, and Argentina. She has also been active in the arts through music, singing, theater, and performance, integrating creative expression into her therapeutic work. Today, she offers individual psychotherapy and energy sessions, guided meditations, and experiential self-awareness practices, both online and in-person, supporting individuals from diverse cultural and personal backgrounds on their journey toward mental balance and personal growth.

Metta Kalliopi, MSc, is a Psychotherapist offering online sessions in both Greek and English, based between Athens and Amsterdam. She holds two Master’s degrees — in Clinical Psychology (Leiden University, the Netherlands) and Neuroscience (Carleton University, Canada). Kalliopi works exclusively online, providing psychotherapeutic support to adults in Greece and abroad. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety disorders, panic attacks, work-related stress, depression, ADHD, emotional regulation difficulties, interpersonal issues, psychosomatic symptoms, self-esteem challenges, addictions, as well as existential concerns related to meaning and identity. In her therapeutic practice, she integrates techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy, aiming to help clients understand and change limiting patterns of thought and behavior. She supports individuals in managing anxiety, improving relationships, and enhancing self-esteem. Kalliopi also places particular emphasis on empowering and supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community, approaching every individual with acceptance, respect, and authenticity. She has completed over 300 hours of personal psychotherapy, deepening her understanding of the therapeutic process and human experience.

Vasileiadou Despoina is a Psychologist - Trained Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She studied at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She completed her thesis on issues of occupational burnout under the supervision of distinguished professors. She specializes in Gestalt psychotherapy, a holistic and human-centered approach to psychotherapy. As part of her lifelong learning, she attends educational seminars and lectures on topics concerning society and the role of psychotherapy within it. She participates as a group coordinator in caregiver support groups for cancer patients and provides voluntary work in the online program "E-therapy," which aims at crisis intervention. For personal development, she considers it essential to regularly engage in supervision (both individual and group) and personal therapy (individual and group).