Health professionals for Anxiety and Stress in Thessaloniki

Valla Faii is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki at 10 Tsimiski Street. She has completed undergraduate studies in Psychology and postgraduate studies in Neuroscience, focusing on the integration of basic research with clinical application at the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her thesis concerns the functional connectivity of the brain in patients with Schizophrenia. Among other qualifications, she has attended the introductory lecture series in Psychoanalysis by the Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society and has participated in activities of the Northern Greece Psychoanalytic Society. She has gained valuable experience through her collaboration with an institution for individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as through her work in a mental health facility serving patients with psychiatric disorders. Throughout her career, she has engaged with the pediatric population, collaborating with specialized therapy centers for children and adolescents and providing parental counseling sessions. Additionally, she worked as an evaluating psychologist in the "Personal Assistant" program for people with disabilities, offering supportive services. Concurrently, she is a trainee member at the European Institute of Counseling and Psychotherapy of Chania, specializing in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She receives continuous supervision and personal analysis.

Loizos Nikos is a Clinical Psychologist who maintains a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. He is a graduate of the Psychology Department of Panteion University. He completed his postgraduate studies in medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a specialization in "Clinical Mental Health," through which he has acquired extensive knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the human mind and mental functions. Additionally, he is in the process of completing his training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), aiming to obtain official certification as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. His knowledge of psychopathology and mental disorders qualifies him as a competent therapist capable of providing reliable and valid diagnoses. This is exceptionally important for the implementation of effective treatment. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, he possesses all necessary knowledge, research-backed techniques, and management strategies for comprehensive and effective intervention across a wide range of mental disorders. Research has shown that CBT is the most effective therapeutic method compared to other therapeutic approaches. It is a short-term therapy, typically lasting 3 to 4 months on average, depending on the nature of the difficulties and the needs of the client. His goal is to help those who trust him find functional ways to manage their difficulties. A key concern of his is to develop a strong therapeutic relationship with his clients, based on understanding, empathy, and compassion. He strives to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where individuals can openly express their concerns and collaborate towards improving their mental health and overall quality of life.

The sessions are conducted exclusively in Greek

Despoina Drivakou MSc, PhD(c) is a Life Coach with a private practice in Thessaloniki and 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 Medical Research Methodology - Social Medicine - Public Health and Epidemiology from the Medical School of the same university. She is also a doctoral candidate at the same institution. Additionally, she is trained in Systemic Family Psychotherapy and is a certified Life Coach, regularly attending seminars and conferences on the systemic approach. Other psychotherapeutic programs she has trained in include Symbol Drama - basic training, Emotionally Focused Therapy - couples therapy, and the developmental model for couples in crisis due to substance, alcohol, and medication abuse, domestic violence, and narcissistic personality disorder. She has worked both voluntarily and in paid positions at various therapeutic centers in Thessaloniki focusing on addiction treatment for drugs and gambling. She is the scientific director of the Society for the Dissemination and Research of Systemic Thinking and president of the EP7A Association (Prevention, Art, Intervention). She regularly appears on Vergina TV, on radio stations, and contributes articles to various magazines and her personal blog. Concurrently, she coordinates the Family Health forum, which has been held over the past 3 years covering topics related to family and children, involving numerous professionals from the healthcare 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.

Theodora Karyati is a licensed Psychologist - Psychotherapist specializing in Systemic Psychotherapy. She supports adults dealing with anxiety, difficulties in relationships, and everyday life challenges, offering a space where they can speak openly and safely. The Systemic approach focuses on how relationships and life experiences influence one’s mental reality. Through the therapeutic process, thoughts, emotions, and patterns are explored with the aim of finding more functional ways of understanding and managing them. The collaboration is based on respect, confidentiality, and adaptation to the needs and pace of each individual. If someone is going through a period where something is challenging them, such as anxiety, stress, or relationship difficulties, it may be worthwhile to give it space and explore it.

Danai Papadopoulou MSc, MA is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She graduated with honors from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and holds postgraduate degrees in Counselling Psychology (MSc in Counselling Psychology) from the University of Sheffield and in Gender Studies (MA in Gender, Society, and Culture) from the Department of Social Anthropology and History at the University of the Aegean. As a psychotherapist, she specializes in Psychodynamic Therapy. In this context, she completed a two-year training program in the Art of Psychotherapy, offered by the Institute of Psychology and Health (IPSY), and additionally, under the auspices of the Scientific Association Merimna for Children and Adolescents (SY.ME.PE), she attended a two-year educational program on Psychopathology and Therapeutic Approaches for Infancy, Childhood, and Adolescence, as well as a two-year introductory training cycle in psychoanalytic thought at the Hellenic Center for Mental Health and Research (EKEPSYE). Furthermore, she received basic training in projective tests from the Istituto Gradiva per la Ricerca in Psicoanalisi. She has worked as a psychologist in public mental health facilities, early psychological intervention programs, and non-governmental organizations in Greece and Italy. Psychotherapeutically, she works with adults and adolescents in face-to-face sessions or remotely via Skype.

Ioannou Xristina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University. She has completed an Annual Seminar in Clinical Psychopathology, a Theoretical Experiential Seminar on Understanding and Managing Self-Destructive Behavior, and has participated in a Self-Awareness Group and Seminars related to the First Interview Technique, Relaxation Methods, Daydream Technique, Breathing Exercises, and Addiction.

Gkountoni Anna is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holding a professional practice license and operates her own office in the center of Thessaloniki. She has obtained a postgraduate degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology from the University of Leiden in the Netherlands. Additionally, she is undergoing training in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Association of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (HACBP).

Lampardis Pasxalis is a Psychologist and author with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He studied Psychology and completed postgraduate studies in Clinical and Community Psychology at the University of East London, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, he has undertaken introductory training in Person-Centered Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Center for Focusing, Psychoanalytic Therapy at the Freudian Society of Northern Greece, and Art Therapy at the Art Therapy Studio. He has extensive experience working with human behavior and the treatment of mental disorders, as well as authoring literary books related to psychology. In therapy, his primary priority is the effective management of each individual's psychological issues to alleviate distress and facilitate better coping with their difficulties. Within a framework of safety, trust, and respect for the uniqueness of each person, potential solutions to any issue are explored.

Dr. Eleni Vazakidou, PhD, MSc, is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice (center located near the Church of Agios Dimitrios) in Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a specialization in Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling from the Center for Systemic Therapy and Counseling (Κε.Σ.Με.Θ). Additionally, she holds a Doctorate (PhD) in Criminology with a full scholarship and a Master's degree in Clinical Criminology from the University of Leicester, as well as a Law degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She possesses extensive academic experience, having lectured at the Department of Criminology at the University of Leicester and at the Department of Psychology at the European Campus of York, City College in Thessaloniki. Finally, in her private practice, the specialist provides support to adults, couples, and families through a systemic, comprehensive, and scientifically substantiated therapeutic approach.

Koutsoudi Xristina, MSc, is a Psychologist specialized in Clinical Mental Health. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (A.U.Th.) with a Master of Science (MSc) degree, with distinction, in Clinical Mental Health from the School of Medicine at A.U.Th. and holds a professional practice license. She is a trainee in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research (HSBR) according to the criteria of the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). Simultaneously, she stays updated on developments in the scientific field of psychology by participating in workshops and conferences and is under continuous supervision to ensure ongoing education and training.

Currently, she maintains a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki, while also working as a psychologist at the Mobile Adult Mental Health Unit of Imathia. Previously, she has worked as a psychologist in Special Therapy and Special Education Centers, in secondary education schools as a school psychologist, and has provided voluntary services for a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO).

Fiamou Konstantina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a degree in Psychology from the University of Wales. She holds a license to practice as a Psychologist (No. 830580). She has attended specialized programs and seminars in the field of psychology and psychotherapy, such as "Counseling and Personal Development Techniques" (Scottish Qualifications Authority) and "Management of Emotional and Psychological Trauma" (Center for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens).

She has completed the Specialization Program in the Synthetic Model of Systemic and Family Therapy at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations. In this context, she has worked therapeutically and has also participated in voluntary actions, providing online counseling support for the free mental health initiatives of the University of the Aegean.

She provides psychotherapeutic sessions online, aiming to bring out personal desires, enhance the understanding of relationships, and help the individual shape the role they desire in life.

At the same time, she has extensive experience in her personal development through individual and group psychotherapy as a patient, while regularly participating in seminars and conferences in the field, maintaining continuous professional development.

Η Ευτέρπη Κουρουκεχαγιά είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας και Προσωπικής Ανάπτυξης, με συνθετική προσέγγιση και ιδιαίτερη εξειδίκευση στη Συμβουλευτική Ζεύγους και τη Συμβουλευτική Γονέων. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Βούλα και στο Χαλάνδρι, προσφέροντας παράλληλα τη δυνατότητα διαδικτυακών συνεδριών. Η 30ετής επιτυχημένη επαγγελματική της πορεία, τόσο σε θέσεις ευθύνης στη Διοίκηση Επιχειρήσεων και στη Διαχείριση Ανθρώπινου Δυναμικού σε μεγάλες πολυεθνικές εταιρείες, όσο και ως ιδιοκτήτρια επιχείρησης από νεαρή ηλικία, της έδωσε την ευκαιρία να γνωρίσει σε βάθος τους ανθρώπους, τις ανάγκες, τις προκλήσεις και τις δυνατότητες τους. Παράλληλα, απέκτησε ουσιαστική εμπειρία στη διαχείριση των ανθρώπων, στη διαχείριση και επίλυση συγκρούσεων και προβλημάτων, στην αποτελεσματική επικοινωνία, στη στοχοθεσία και στην επίτευξη στόχων. Μέσα από αυτή την πολύτιμη εμπειρία ανέπτυξε βαθιά κατανόηση των ανθρώπινων σχέσεων και των διαφορετικών αναγκών και δυνατοτήτων κάθε ανθρώπου, διαμορφώνοντας την ακλόνητη πεποίθηση ότι κάθε άνθρωπος διαθέτει μέσα του τη δύναμη και τους εσωτερικούς πόρους να ξεπεράσει τις δυσκολίες, να εξελιχθεί και να πετύχει τους στόχους του. Όταν νιώσει ότι βρίσκεται σε ένα ασφαλές, υποστηρικτικό και χωρίς κριτική περιβάλλον, με την κατάλληλη προσέγγιση μπορεί να ανακαλύψει τις δυνατότητες του και να ανθίσει με τον δικό του μοναδικό τρόπο.

Η εκπαίδευσή της είναι πολυδιάστατη και βασίζεται στην Ανασυνδυασμένη Εκλεκτική Συμβουλευτική, η οποία  περιλαμβάνει ένα ευρύ φάσμα ψυχοθεραπευτικών προσεγγίσεων, όπως η Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT), η Ψυχοθεραπεία Gestalt, η Ψυχοδυναμική Συμβουλευτική, η Διαλεκτική Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (με έμφαση στην Οριακή Διαταραχή), η Συστημική Αναπαράσταση, η Δραματοθεραπεία, το Art Therapy και το NLP. Ανάμεσα σε άλλες εξειδικεύσεις της, περιλαμβάνονται η Διαχείριση Συναισθηματικού και Ψυχικού Τραύματος, η Ψυχολογία της Υγείας και η διαχείριση παθήσεων, η Ψυχοπαθολογία, καθώς και η Κλινική Ύπνωση.

Ιδιαίτερη έμφαση δίνει στο παιδί, τον έφηβο και την οικογένεια, διαθέτοντας εξειδικεύσεις και πιστοποιήσεις στην Παιδοψυχολογία, τη Σχολική Ψυχολογία, τις Σχολές Γονέων, τη Σεξουαλική Διαπαιδαγώγηση και Ψυχολογία των νεανικών σχέσεων, τις αιτίες και την αντιμετώπιση του Σχολικού Εκφοβισμού, καθώς και στη Συμβουλευτική για τη διαχείριση της Ψυχολογίας των νέων. Παράλληλα, στους τομείς της αυτοβελτίωσης και της καριέρας, είναι πιστοποιημένη Life Coach και έχει πιστοποιηθεί στη Θετική Ψυχολογία, (Mindfulness Meditation and Positive Psychology), στη Συμβουλευτική Σταδιοδρομίας και τον Επαγγελματικό Προσανατολισμό, στην ανάπτυξη στρατηγικών Coaching και Mentoring, καθώς και στην εκπαίδευση εκπαιδευτών και στελεχών.

Αναγνωρίζοντας τη βαθιά ευθύνη του ρόλου της απέναντι στους ανθρώπους που την εμπιστεύονται, η κ. Κουρουκεχαγιά επενδύει αδιάκοπα στη συνεχή της εκπαίδευση. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, εκτός από τις σπουδές της στην Ψυχολογία στο London Metropolitan University, συνεχίζει να επιμορφώνεται διαρκώς, εμπλουτίζοντας τις γνώσεις και τις δεξιότητες της μέσα από νέες εκπαιδεύσεις και εξειδικεύσεις. Με γνώμονα την αυστηρή επαγγελματική δεοντολογία και την παροχή υπηρεσιών υψηλής ποιότητας, φροντίζει σταθερά για τη δική της ατομική και ομαδική θεραπεία, καθώς και για την κλινική της εποπτεία. Επιπροσθέτως, συμμετέχει ενεργά σε επαγγελματικούς φορείς, όπως η Ελληνική Εταιρεία Ανασυνδυασμένης Εκλεκτικής Συμβουλευτικής και ο Σύλλογος Συμβουλευτικής Coaching Mentoring Ελλάδας, παραμένοντας πλήρως ενημερωμένη για όλες τις σύγχρονες εξελίξεις στο πεδίο της συμβουλευτικής. 

Avramidis Pantelis-Aris MD, MSc is a Specialist Neurologist who maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. He graduated from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. After completing his studies, he specialized in academic hospitals in Germany, where he worked with the full spectrum of neurological disorders. In 2019, he obtained the specialty title in Neurology. Subsequently, he worked as a Senior Registrar (Oberarzt) in the Vascular Diseases Unit (überregionales Stroke Unit) and the Neurosonography Laboratory. In 2022, he received certification for performing ultrasounds of extracranial and intracranial vessels from the German Society of Ultrasound in Medicine (DEGUM) and for performing ultrasounds of peripheral nerves and muscles from the German Society of Clinical Neurophysiology (DGKN). Since 2024, he has maintained a private practice in Thessaloniki, where Neurosonography examinations (Triplex of carotid and cerebral vessels, ultrasound of peripheral nerves and muscles) and Neurophysiological assessments (Electromyography, Nerve Conduction Studies) are conducted. Since 2024, he has maintained a private practice in Thessaloniki, where Neurosonography (Triplex of carotids and cerebral vessels, ultrasound of peripheral nerves and muscles) and Neurophysiological assessments (Electromyography, Nerve Conduction Studies) are performed.