Health professionals for Anxiety and Stress in the Western suburbs of Athens

Η Χουρδάκη Μαρίζα είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ειδ. Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια με Πτυχίο (Bachelor) του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Τριέρ στη Γερμανία και Πτυχίο (Bachelor) με κατεύθυνση ψυχολογίας, του Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας- Παιδαγωγικού και Ψυχολογίας, του Εθνικού Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ). Κατέχει Μεταπτυχιακό Τίτλο Σπουδών (MS.c) στην «Κλινική Ψυχολογία» του Τμήματος Κοινωνικών Επιστημών και Συμπεριφοράς, του Πανεπιστημίου Erasmus, στο Ρότερνταμ της Ολλανδίας. Επιπλέον ειδικεύεται στη Συστημική - Οικογενειακή Ψυχοθεραπεία στο Ινστιτούτο Εκπαίδευσης και Έρευνας - Λόγω Ψυχής, σύμφωνα με το μοντέλο SANE (System Attachment Narrative Encephalon). Το συγκεκριμένο μοντέλο είναι ένα εμπλουτισμένο μοντέλο συστημικής ψυχοθεραπείας που ενσωματώνει στη θεραπευτική πρακτική στοιχεία από τη θεωρία του συναισθηματικού δεσμού, την αφηγηματική προσέγγιση και τα ευρήματα των νευροεπιστημών.

Απέκτησε πρακτική εμπειρία σε Κέντρα Ψυχικής Υγείας του Δήμου Πειραιά και Καισαριανής - Βύρωνα, όπου δούλεψε τόσο με εφήβους και οικογένειες όσο και με ενήλικες που βίωναν άγχος, κατάθλιψη, μειωμένη αυτοεκτίμηση, δυσκολίες στις σχέσεις, δυσκολίες σεξουαλικού προσανατολισμού και ταυτότητας.

Παράλληλα εργάστηκε ως ψυχολόγος στο Κέντρο Ημέρας Υποστήριξης Εργαζομένων Αθηνών, στο οποίο παρείχε ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε εργαζομένους για ζητήματα όπως : το εργασιακό στρες, επαγγελματική εξουθένωση, κατάθλιψη, ενδυνάμωση και αυτογνωσία.

Έχει παρακολουθήσει πλήθος σεμιναρίων εστιασμένα στην ψυχοπαθολογία, στη συμβουλευτική και την ψυχοθεραπεία με ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ άτομα και στην ψυχική υγεία ευρύτερα. Στο ιδιωτικό της γραφείο που διατηρεί στον Πειραιά (Φρεαττύδος 46), εργάζεται με ενήλικες, ζευγάρια, εφήβους και οικογένειες.

Πιστεύει ότι η αναζήτηση βοήθειας και ο δρόμος προς την αλλαγή είναι διαδικασίες με δυσκολίες και προκλήσεις, που αποτελούν όμως ένα πρώτο σπουδαίο βήμα προς ένα λυτρωτικό ταξίδι. Ο φόβος είναι ένα εύλογο συναίσθημα στην αρχή της θεραπείας, αλλά με τον κατάλληλο θεραπευτή, μέσα σε ένα ασφαλές πλαίσιο, μπορούν να φωτιστούν όλα τα σκοτεινά σημεία, να κατανοηθούν άγνωστες πλευρές του εαυτού μας και να δοκιμαστούν νέοι τρόποι σκέψης και συμπεριφοράς.

Boukea Eirini is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in Peristeri. She holds a degree in Psychology and a Master's Degree in Psychology from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. She possesses a professional license (3173/15-4-2005), is an active member of the Greek Psychological Society (S.E.Ps.) and the Hellenic Society of Systemic Therapy (EL.E.SY.TH.). She specializes in Family/Systemic Psychotherapy and provides counseling and individual psychotherapy services for adults and adolescents, group psychotherapy for adults, couples and family therapy, regardless of the presenting issue/symptom. She is in continuous training and supervision while actively participating in experiential self-awareness processes. Through her personal and professional experience, she considers the psychotherapeutic journey to be the greatest gift a person can offer themselves for a better life.

Maria Lysikatou is a Psychologist maintaining a private practice in Korydallos. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a master's degree in Educational Psychology from Neapolis University Pafos. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anxiety, Depression, and Personality Disorders Management at the Beck Institute, and in Family Therapy at the University of the Aegean. In 2023, she completed the annual seminar "Clinical Psychopathology - Panagiotis Oulis." Since 2021, she has been undergoing training in Cognitive Psychotherapy at the Research University Institute of Mental Hygiene and Aeginiteio Hospital. She completed her practical training at the Society for the Protection of Spastic Children and the Social Care Center "Ergastiri." She has collaborated with Therapy Centers in Attica and has worked as a Mental Health Counselor at a disability employment center, the Kindergartens of Nikaia - Renti, the Michaleneio Medical-Pedagogical Center, Therapy Centers, the School Support & Parents' Associations Department of the Municipality of Piraeus, a Vocational High School, as well as at Interdisciplinary Assessment, Counseling, and Support Centers. Additionally, she has participated in seminars as part of her ongoing professional development. Finally, in her practice, she handles cases encompassing the full spectrum of psychology, with specialization in depression, parental counseling, and anxiety and mood disorders.

Plafountzis Giorgos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Peristeri. He studied Psychology at the University of Crete and subsequently completed postgraduate studies in Human Resource Management at the University of Leeds. As a Psychologist, he has worked at the Aeromedical Center and the "Ariadne" Shelter. At Psycho Exelixis, individual psychotherapy and counseling for adults and adolescents are provided, as well as the conduct of seminars on mental health in the workplace.

Aleksatou Olga MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Peristeri. She completed her studies in Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and subsequently attended the postgraduate program "Reading, Language and Cognition" at York University. She holds a diploma in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy from the Center for Applied Counseling and Psychology and has worked as an external collaborator in facilities in Kypseli and Thrakomakedones. She has acquired psychotherapeutic experience with adults, adolescents, and children in addressing various anxiety disorders, emotional and behavioral disorders, counseling, cases of learning difficulties, and the assessment of children's intelligence (WISC III). Finally, the psychologist has attended and trained in specialized educational seminars, maintaining excellent training in her areas of expertise. Her areas of specialization include psychological support for adults, adolescents, and children, counseling for adults, couples, and parents, anxiety management during national university entrance exams, treatment of emotional disorders, diagnosis of learning difficulties, and finally, the assessment of children's intelligence (WISC III).

Sara Alijaj is a Licensed Psychologist, holding a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Hellenic American University, a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology, and training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She provides online psychological support sessions in both Greek and English, offering a safe, confidential, and supportive environment where individuals can explore and manage the challenges they face in everyday life.

She has professional experience supporting children, adolescents, and families, as well as providing academic and psychosocial support to students. Her work within an international school setting has equipped her with valuable experience working with individuals from diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, while deepening her understanding of the developmental and emotional needs of children, adolescents, and young adults.

Sara has completed specialized training in anxiety management, psychological resilience, complex trauma, adolescent psychology, early recognition of psychotic symptoms, and therapeutic interventions through art and play. She remains committed to continuous professional development in order to provide evidence-based and up-to-date mental health services.

Her therapeutic approach is centered on building a relationship of trust, acceptance, and collaboration. She aims to help clients gain deeper self-understanding, manage anxiety and emotional difficulties more effectively, strengthen self-esteem, and develop practical skills that enhance overall well-being and quality of life.

All sessions are conducted exclusively online, providing flexibility and accessible psychological support regardless of the client's location.

Loukopoulos Pantelis is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Peristeri. He holds a degree in Psychology from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

He has completed the postgraduate program of the Medical School of Athens, entitled "Addiction Management - Addictology," specializing in the treatment of substance addictions and behavioral addictions.

He specialized in "Systemic - Family Therapy" at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relationships. He was trained in the postgraduate program "Psychosexual Dysfunctions, Recognition and Treatment" at the Research University Institute of Mental Health, Neuroscience and Precision Medicine "Kostas Stefanis."

He received training in "Early Intervention in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder" at DI.KE.PSY.

Mr. Loukopoulos has served as a scientific collaborator at the Social Clinic - Pharmacy of Athens and Piraeus. He has collaborated with the Non-Profit Organization K.S.D.E.O. "Edra" as an external scientific collaborator and has worked in the Special Protection Service and the Child Protection Service at the International Organization for Migration.

Finally, he is an external associate of the Olympic Village Polyclinic as a general psychologist.

The Kentro Coaching Therapyway is a model mental health services center located in Piraeus. It represents an innovative initiative in the field of mental health by integrating the principles and the most up-to-date data of psychotherapy and NLP on a case-by-case basis. Utilizing the capabilities of its interdisciplinary team, it offers a range of diagnostic and therapeutic services on-site, addressing mental health needs in a holistic and individualized manner. The areas of expertise include generalized anxiety disorder, anxiety crisis, grief, depression, panic attack, dilemmas, separation, professional and personal deadlocks, among others. The center's interdisciplinary team consists of psychologists, NLP coaches, and specialized psychotherapists, capable of receiving a request, conducting a comprehensive assessment, and proposing the appropriate therapeutic approach.

Mpageris Ioannis is a Neurologist and Acupuncturist who maintains private practices at Pedion tou Areos and Ilion. He holds a postgraduate specialization in Biomedical Acupuncture and a degree from the Medical School of the University of Patras. He completed his specialty training in psychiatry at the General Hospital of Elefsina “Thriasio” and in neurology at the General Hospital of Attica “KAT”, as well as neurology at the General Hospital of Athens “Evangelismos”. There, he had the opportunity to train in conditions such as cerebrovascular accidents, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, migraine, vertigo, polyneuropathies, and sleep disorders. Finally, the doctor has participated in numerous medical seminars and conferences and has contributed to the preparation of medical research papers.

Attilakos Giorgos is a Psychiatrist who maintains a private practice in Piraeus. He graduated from the Medical School of the University of Patras and completed his specialty in Psychiatry at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica. His practice offers a wide range of specialized services, and he has particular expertise in dementia, psychoses, and panic disorder. Furthermore, throughout his professional career, he has worked at the Nikaia Health Center, participated in the Behavioral Therapy Program for Anxiety Disorders at the Research University Institute of Mental Health (EPIΨY), as well as attending seminars on psychotherapy and pharmacology.

Staurinos Georgios is a specialized Psychiatrist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Piraeus. He has specialized in psychiatry, adult general psychiatry, psychogeriatrics, addiction psychiatry, and preventive and liaison psychiatry in hospitals in Greece and abroad. The doctor monitors chronic patients in residential care facilities, day centers, post-hospitalization care programs, and home care for patients with psychotic disorders, while providing specialized services and treating a wide range of conditions in his private practice. Finally, the doctor is a member of the Piraeus Medical Association, the British Medical Association, and the Hellenic Psychiatric Association.