Health professionals for Treatment of ADHD in Athens

The Center for Study and Special Therapies "Smart Development" is comprised of a specialized team of professionals providing psychological support for parents and children, as well as speech therapy, occupational therapy, and special education services. Smart Development has over 15 years of experience in private education and therapeutic services. The team's passion for children serves as both the foundation and driving force for continuously delivering their services to the utmost of their capabilities. They remain consistently vigilant and update their teaching methods, as well as the implementation of the center’s therapeutic programs, adhering to the most modern and validated standards.

Despoina Papaggeli MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist for adults, children, and adolescents. She completed her undergraduate studies in the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and holds a master's degree titled "Mental Health and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 

She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling.

She has attended multiple seminars related to various fields of mental health, including Drama Therapy, Psychoeducation, Special Education, Play Therapy, and LGBTQI+ counseling.

She has been active in the mental health field privately for several years, conducting online psychotherapy sessions with adults and, in collaboration with specialized therapy centers, sessions with children, adolescents, and families. In the past, she has volunteered in providing mental health and creative activity services to individuals with disabilities, as well as to patients at the Piraeus Anti-Cancer - Oncology Hospital "Metaxa". 

Her goal, through the therapeutic process, is to help each individual acquire the necessary tools to manage emotional and behavioral difficulties they face; essentially, to become the therapist of themselves. 

Venizelea Amalia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist maintaining a private practice in Ilisia. She is a graduate of Psychology from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and holds a postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She also specialized in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy for Adults, Children, and Adolescents at the Institute of Research and Behavioral Therapy. She has clinical experience having worked as a Psychologist at Aeginiteio Hospital as well as at the Day Center of the Regional Development and Mental Health Company. Additionally, she worked as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist at the Vyronas - Kaisariani Community Mental Health Center, specifically in the Adult Department, in the Children and Adolescents Unit of the Peristeri Mental Health Center, and in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute of Research and Behavioral Therapy. Finally, since 2021, she has been working as a Psychologist-Psychotherapist in the Endocrinology Unit of the University of Athens. In her office, she manages cases across the full spectrum of psychology and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focusing on interpersonal relationships and anxiety and mood disorders.

Pliakou Maria BSc, MSc is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kaisariani (near Karavel - Evangelismos metro station). She studied Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, completing her fourth year of studies at Universität Konstanz in Germany, following a scholarship she received. During her studies, she completed clinical training at the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki (P.H.Th.) and at the Day Care Center for Individuals with Memory Disorders. After completing her undergraduate studies, she gained significant experience in the assessment and support of patients with severe mental disorders, within the framework of clinical training in mental health at the Psychiatric Clinic of Papageorgiou General Hospital of Thessaloniki. She specialized in Clinical Psychology through postgraduate studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands, completing clinical training at the Leiden University Treatment and Expertise Centre, providing psychological support to university students. She followed a four-year specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies (SCBS), and received theoretical training in therapy for children and adolescents. She worked for several years as a psychotherapist in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute for Research and Behavior Therapy (IRBT), and has worked in numerous therapy centers, providing individual psychotherapy to adults, children, adolescents, as well as counseling for parents.

Haroula Tsatsani is a Psychologist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), and a Relational Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, certified by the Institute of Relational and Group Psychotherapy (ISOPS). She is a member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP) and the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA). She has successfully completed the Master's Program in "Clinical Management of Addictions" at the Athens Medical School and has extensive clinical experience in public and private mental health institutions. She has collaborated with Day Centers (Ariadni–KMOP, Galini–Prometheus), the Psychological Support Hotline 10306, primary and secondary education schools as a school psychologist, as well as hospitals such as "Evangelismos". Additionally, she has experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunctions, as well as supporting children and adolescents in shelters for unaccompanied minors. Currently, she maintains a private practice in Mets, providing psychotherapy to adults and adolescents facing difficulties in interpersonal relationships, mental disorders, psychosomatic symptoms, addictions, and other challenges. Simultaneously, she collaborates with the psychotherapeutic center "Psychoplefsi" in Athens and the Konstantakou office in Western Attica. She holds a Professional Practice License as a Psychologist (7894/12.10.2016) and receives consistent supervision and training, continuously advancing her personal and professional development.

Dasoukis Ioannis is a Psychiatrist - Psychotherapist and has maintained a private practice in Ilisia since 2011, as well as in Patras. He specialized in Psychiatry and was trained in Cognitive Analytic Psychotherapy. He served as an Assistant Psychiatrist with the rank of Registrar B at the outpatient clinics of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos" from 2009 to 2011, where he practiced Cognitive Analytic Psychotherapy. Simultaneously, he provided Telepsychiatry services to remote areas in collaboration with the Non-Governmental Organization "Klimaka" for 7 years. The doctor is a member of the Freud - Lacan Psychoanalytic Society and offers psychiatric services and psychotherapy via Skype.

The Kentro Meletis Kai Eidikon Therapeion Eksypni Anaptyksi consists of a specialized team of professionals providing psychological support for parents and children, as well as services in speech therapy, occupational therapy, and special education. Eksypni Anaptyksi has over 15 years of experience in the field of private education and therapy. The team's passion for children is the foundation and driving force that motivates them to continue delivering their services to the fullest extent of their capabilities. They remain constantly vigilant, updating their teaching methods and the implementation of the center’s therapeutic programs by following the most modern and validated standards.

Η Καράμπαλη Ελένη MSc είναι Κλινική Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στα Εξάρχεια. Είναι απόφοιτος του Πανεπιστημίου Καρόλου της Πράγας, με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος (Αρ.πρωτ. 8234) και πολυετή εμπειρία στην υποστήριξη ενηλίκων, εφήβων και παιδιών. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) και στην Art Therapy, καθώς και σε πρωτόκολλα παρέμβασης σε τραύμα και ψυχολογική παρέμβαση σε κρίση. Στην πορεία της καριέρας της έχει εργαστεί σε διαφορετικά περιβάλλοντα ψυχικής υγείας στην Ελλάδα (Παιδικά Χωριά SOS, Ελληνικός Ερυθρός Σταυρός) και στο εξωτερικό, υποστηρίζοντας κυρίως ευάλωτες ομάδες. Σήμερα διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο κέντρο της Αθήνας και εργάζεται στο Ελληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες, αναλαμβάνοντας την ψυχολογική στήριξη παιδιών, εφήβων και γονέων. Εξειδικεύεται στη διαχείριση άγχους, κατάθλιψης, μετατραυματικού στρες, πένθους, φοβιών, κακοποίησης και δυσκολιών στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις. Παράλληλα, έχει εμπειρία στη διάγνωση ψυχοπαθολογίας και στη χρήση ψυχομετρικών εργαλείων, προσφέροντας εξατομικευμένες παρεμβάσεις με σεβασμό στις ανάγκες του κάθε ατόμου. Στη θεραπευτική της προσέγγισης αξιοποιεί κυρίως τη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT), μια επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη μέθοδο που βοηθά το άτομο να αναγνωρίσει και να τροποποιήσει τις σκέψεις και τα μοτίβα συμπεριφοράς που ενισχύουν τη δυσφορία του. Η CBT δίνει πρακτικά εργαλεία, ενδυναμώνει και καλλιεργεί νέες, πιο υγιείς οπτικές απέναντι στη ζωή. Παράλληλα, ενσωματώνει στοιχεία Θεραπείας μέσω Τέχνης (Art Therapy), ειδικά όταν δουλεύει με παιδιά, εφήβους ή ενήλικες που δυσκολεύονται να εκφραστούν λεκτικά. Η δημιουργία γίνεται ένα ασφαλές “κανάλι” έκφρασης συναισθημάτων, αναμνήσεων και εσωτερικών συγκρούσεων, χωρίς τη χρήση λόγου. Δεν ακολουθεί μία αυστηρή “συνταγή”. Κάθε άνθρωπος είναι μοναδικός, και κάθε συνεδρία προσαρμόζεται στις ανάγκες του - με σεβασμό στον ρυθμό του, στην ιστορία του και στις αντοχές του. Οταν δουλεύει με παιδιά, δίνει ιδιαίτερη σημασία στη συνεργασία με τους γονείς. Ο στόχος δεν είναι μόνο η “αντιμετώπιση” μιας δυσκολίας, αλλά η ενδυνάμωση της σχέσης γονιού - παιδιού, ώστε το ίδιο το σπίτι να γίνει χώρος θεραπείας, εμπιστοσύνης και ανάπτυξης. Τέλος, προσφέρει συνεδρίες και στα αραβικά και στα τσεχικά.

She was born in Athens and obtained her degree from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) (psychologist professional license, No. 1064783). She continued her education by completing a three-year training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling, followed by additional training in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Systemic Counseling and Psychotherapeutic Center. Subsequently, she earned her certification in trauma therapy – EMDR, at the Institute of Trauma Therapy. Additionally, she has attended various seminars and received training in biofeedback (a non-pharmacological therapeutic approach). She works as a Psychologist – Psychotherapist and collaborates with the Stress Management Center SMS (Stress Management Solutions). She specializes in anxiety and stress management, panic attack treatment, depression treatment, and eating disorder issues. She also specializes in the treatment of children and adolescents with anxiety-related issues, such as performance anxiety and the management of various other distressing emotions, as well as in parental counseling. The intervention is personalized and collaborative with the individual, considering various factors that become clear through individual interviews and questionnaires, aiming at the overall enhancement of the individual's quality of life across all domains.

The Center "Dromoi Epikoinonias", based in Kypseli and managed by Kentro Logotherapeias Ergotherapeias Kai Psyxotherapeias Paidion Kai Enilikon - Dromoi Epikoinonias, offers speech therapy services, occupational therapy, psycho-educational programs, and psychotherapy for children and adults. The team consists of experienced speech therapists and psychologists who work closely together to provide comprehensive support for each individual. The Center provides speech therapy for children and adults, feeding therapy, psychotherapy for children, adolescents, and adults, parental counseling, as well as social skills groups. With respect for the needs and uniqueness of each person, a safe and supportive environment is created that fosters development, communication, and personal growth.

Angeliki Xatzimanoli, MSc is a Psychologist, certified Psychotherapist, and maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and graduated from the Department of Social Policy at Panteion University. Additionally, she has a master's degree in "Addiction Treatment - Addictology" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in collaboration with the Medical School of Athens. Currently, she is training in "Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling" at the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy of Athens (Ke.S.Me.Th.). Throughout her career, she has volunteered with the Non-Governmental Organizations "ActionAid Hellas" and the International Cybersecurity Institute (CSI). She served as a Psychologist for the NGO "The Home Project" and collaborates as an external associate with the Center for Special Therapies "Oikogeneia." She also writes voluntarily for the website ''efiveia.gr,'' focusing on family and its connection and collaboration with the online therapy platform Terappin. She has been trained in the application of the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy protocol (TF-CBT). She provides psychological support to children, adolescents, and adults. It is noteworthy that she participated in authoring the European program "TRACeD," within the framework of actions for the awareness and prevention of online gender-based violence. In her private practice, she undertakes the assessment, monitoring, and psychotherapeutic treatment of various psychological difficulties, such as anxiety disorders, depressive episodes, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, as well as issues related to interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.

Psychiatrist - Systemic & Family Psychotherapist

He maintains a private practice in Koukaki providing psychiatric services, individual adult psychotherapy, as well as family and couple therapy with a systemic approach.

He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2015). Following successful participation in the Spanish medical specialty exams (MIR), he completed his residency at the Psychiatry Clinic of the University Hospital La Paz in Madrid.

After completing his specialty, he was offered a Consultant position at the same hospital. He served as the Scientific Director of the Mental Health Center Colmenar Viejo, affiliated with Hospital Universitario La Paz, where he established and developed a family intervention program as well as therapeutic patient groups.

During his professional career in Spain, he also acquired significant clinical experience in Child Psychiatry and, following examinations, obtained recognition of the corresponding specialty title according to the Spanish healthcare system.

Concurrently, he completed a four-year training in Systemic and Family Therapy at the recognized training center Centro de Terapia Familiar Zurbano, certified by FEATF, with active participation in workshops and scientific conferences.

In the private sector, he collaborates with the Tranquilamente clinic in central Madrid as a Psychiatrist - Psychotherapist.

He has specialization and extensive experience in addiction treatment, having served as the responsible Psychiatrist at the Detoxification and Addiction Center - Centro Árbor.

He is fluent in Greek, Spanish, and English. His goal is to provide personalized, scientifically grounded, and humane care, respecting the needs of each patient.

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.

Elli Tasia Kentro Logotherapeias Ergotherapeias Kai Psyxotherapeias Paidion Kai Enilikon - Dromoi Epikoinonias is a Speech Therapist who maintains her therapeutic practice in Kypseli, which offers a full range of specialties including speech therapy, occupational therapy, psychoeducational programs, psychotherapy, and social skills groups. She holds a Bachelor's degree from Queen Margaret University and has received further training in Acquired Neurological Disorders. She has attended numerous postgraduate seminars as well as the postgraduate program "Feeding Therapy SOS Approach Feeding" from the Interdisciplinary Center of Epirus. Additionally, she has completed other trainings such as Intensive Interaction, Makaton, TEACCH, feeding therapy, among others. She possesses extensive professional experience with children and adults and specializes in voice therapy through IVT training.

Ο Αδαμόπουλος Γεώργιος είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στους Αμπελόκηπους. Είναι Πτυχιούχος Ψυχολογίας και Κοινωνικής Εργασίας, κάτοχος άδειας άσκησης επαγγέλματος Ψυχολόγου και άδειας άσκησης επαγγέλματος Κοινωνικού Λειτουργού. Διαθέτει μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στη Σχολική Ψυχολογία σε Πανεπιστήμιο της Ιταλίας και είναι Πιστοποιημένος Ψυχοθεραπευτής (ECP). Έχει ολοκληρώσει τετραετή εξειδικευμένη εκπαίδευση στη Συνθετική Συστημική και Οικογενειακή Θεραπεία στο Εργαστήριο Διερεύνησης Ανθρώπινων Σχέσεων. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στους Αμπελόκηπους, παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης και ψυχοθεραπείας σε ενήλικες, εφήβους, οικογένειες και ομάδες. Από το 2015 υπηρετεί στο Υπουργείο Παιδείας, στο Κέντρο Διάγνωσης, Αξιολόγησης, Συμβουλευτικής και Υποστήριξης (ΚΕ.Δ.Α.Σ.Υ., πρώην ΚΕ.Σ.Υ.), όπου έχει αναπτύξει μακρόχρονη και τεκμηριωμένη εμπειρία στην αξιολόγηση, ψυχοκοινωνική υποστήριξη και συμβουλευτική παιδιών, εφήβων και των οικογενειών τους στο πλαίσιο του δημόσιου εκπαιδευτικού συστήματος. Στο πλαίσιο της θέσης του, συμμετέχει σε διεπιστημονικές ομάδες, στη διαδικασία αξιολόγησης εκπαιδευτικών αναγκών και στην καθοδήγηση γονέων και εκπαιδευτικών. Παράλληλα, συνεργάζεται με ιδιωτικό παιδοψυχιατρικό ιατρείο, συμβάλλοντας στην πολυεπίπεδη υποστήριξη ανηλίκων. Επιπλέον, δραστηριοποιείται ως μέλος της Επιτροπής Διεπιστημονικής Υποστήριξης (Ε.Δ.Υ.) σε σχολεία της Ανατολικής Αττικής, παρέχοντας συνεχείς υπηρεσίες ψυχοκοινωνικής ενδυνάμωσης σε μαθητές και σχολικές κοινότητες. Η επαγγελματική του διαδρομή περιλαμβάνει επίσης εργασία σε θεραπευτικό κέντρο για παιδιά και εφήβους με αυτισμό, καθώς και συνεργασία με την Ένωση «Μαζί για το Παιδί», με επίκεντρο την ψυχολογική και κοινωνική υποστήριξη ανηλίκων και των οικογενειών τους. Διαθέτει πολυετή εμπειρία στην ατομική και ομαδική ψυχοθεραπεία, στη συμβουλευτική γονέων και στην εφαρμογή της συστημικής προσέγγισης. Έχει ολοκληρώσει μακροχρόνια προσωπική θεραπεία, τόσο σε ατομικό όσο και σε ομαδικό πλαίσιο, και συμμετέχει σταθερά σε επαγγελματική εποπτεία.