Health professionals for Anxiety and Stress in Prefecture of Thessaloniki

Katsimardou Stauroula is a Psychologist – Systemic Psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults (professional license no. 1006982). She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and is completing postgraduate studies in the program "Developmental and Adolescent Health Strategies" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Concurrently, she is training in the four-year Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling program at the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy (Ke.S.Meth.).

She deals with issues related to anxiety and panic attacks, intense stress and overload, occupational burnout and emotional exhaustion, psychosomatic symptoms, as well as difficulties in interpersonal relationships. Additionally, she works on grief and loss, low self-esteem, boundaries, emotional regulation, decision-making difficulties, loss of meaning, and adaptation to transitional life periods in adolescents and adults.

She holds certification in the administration and evaluation of the psychometric tools WISC-V and WAIS-IV and has attended the Special Education seminar at the University of Patras. She has participated in mental health seminars and conferences and is engaged in ongoing personal psychotherapy and supervision.

She has gained experience in various clinical settings, such as the Naval Hospital of Piraeus, the General Children's Hospital "Panagioti & Aglaia Kyriakou," the 414 Military Hospital for Special Diseases, and the Day Center for Children and Adolescents "Thalpos."

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.

Hatzinikoli Margarita is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During her internship, she collaborated with the Youth Support Center of the non-governmental organization "Arsis." Within the framework of her systemic orientation, as a trainee Systemic – Family therapist at the Institute of Systemic Approach and Family Therapy, she works with families and their members, resonating with them and accompanying each individual separately, as well as all together, on the issues for which they seek her assistance. In recent years, she has participated in the design and coordination of psychosocial programs in collaboration with the "Psychotopos" team, some of which address assertiveness, conflict resolution, anger management, and sexual education. Additionally, together with the above-mentioned team, they coordinate groups focused on either personal development or various themes such as infertility and adoption. As a Professional Focusing Partner, having completed the Focusing training cycle (Level I & II), she employs the Focusing Process, an experiential (internal) method, to address cases of severe anxiety and panic attacks. Furthermore, she has completed the Effective Parenting training cycle by Gordon Hellas. Finally, as part of her ongoing professional development, she attends and participates in seminars and training programs related to domestic violence and the support of socially vulnerable groups (LGBTQ+, persons with disabilities, etc.).

Tsonidou Rafaela is a clinical psychologist and trainee psychotherapist specializing in Schema Therapy and primarily conducts online sessions for adults. In-person sessions can also be arranged upon consultation with the specialist. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Clinical Psychology Graduate Program at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). She has collaborated with public mental health institutions, such as Aeginiteio Hospital and OKANA, through the adult addiction program "Athena" and the Adolescent Unit "Atrapos." Alongside her clinical experience, she consistently participates in scientific seminars and conferences to ensure ongoing professional development and the provision of high-quality mental health services.

Η Γεωργιάδη Λένα BSc, MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος και προσφέρει διαδικτυακή θεραπεία στα αγγλικά και στα ελληνικά για ενήλικες που είτε κατοικούν στην Ελλάδα, είτε στο εξωτερικό και είναι άνω των 18 ετών. Εδώ και χρόνια, ειδικεύεται στην Θεραπεία Αποδοχής και Δέσμευσης (ACT) και στη Γνωστική Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT), βοηθώντας τους ανθρώπους να διαχειριστούν τις προκλήσεις της ζωής και να κινηθούν προς μια ζωή που νιώθουν αληθινά σημαντική, ισορροπημένη, συνδεδεμένη και με νόημα. Η πορεία της στην ψυχολογία ξεκίνησε με πτυχίο Bachelor of Science στην Ψυχολογία από το University of Sheffield. Στη συνέχεια, μετακόμισε στην Ολλανδία και ολοκλήρωσε το μεταπτυχιακό τίτλο της στην Ψυχολογία Υγείας και Κοινωνικής Ψυχολογίας στο Maastricht University. Η κλινική της εκπαίδευση πραγματοποιείται στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT), μέσω της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Γνωσιακών Συμπεριφορικών Ψυχοθεραπειών, ένα 4ετές πρόγραμμα διαπιστευμένο από την European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). Εκτός από την CBT, έχει εκπαιδευθεί και στη Θεραπεία Αποδοχής και Δέσμευσης (ACT), έχοντας παρακολουθήσει πολλαπλές εκπαιδεύσεις από τους Dr. Steven Hayes και Dr. Russ Harris. Είναι επίσης μέλος της Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS). Η συνεχής επιμόρφωση της μέσα από βιβλία και σεμινάρια είναι βασικό κομμάτι της επαγγελματικής της ανάπτυξης.

Δουλεύει με ένα ευρύ φάσμα δυσκολιών, όπως:

Άγχος (συμπεριλαμβανομένων κρίσεων πανικού, κοινωνικού άγχους, και γενικευμένου άγχους)

Κατάθλιψη και χαμηλή διάθεση

Χαμηλή αυτοεκτίμηση/αυτοπεποίθηση και αυτοκριτική

Τελειοθηρία, φόβο αποτυχίας και αναβλητικότητα

Ψυχαναγκασμούς και καταναγκασμούς (OCD)

Ειδικές φοβίες

Δυσκολίες στις σχέσεις

Δυσκολίες στη ρύθμιση συναισθημάτων 

Μεγάλες μεταβάσεις ζωής (όπως η διαβίωση στο εξωτερικό ή άλλες σημαντικές αλλαγές ζωής).

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.).

Η Τζάννε Βάνα είναι Κλινικός Ψυχολόγος και πραγματοποιεί online συνεδρίες. Είναι απόφοιτος Ψυχολογίας από το Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών και έχει ολοκληρώσει μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στην Κλινική και Κοινοτική Ψυχολογία. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφοριστική Ψυχοθεραπεία Ενηλίκων, Παιδιών & Εφήβων, καθώς και στη θεραπεία Διαταραχών Πρόσληψης Τροφής στο Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο. Ακόμα, έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Διαλεκτική Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία στην Ιατρική Σχολής του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (Ελληνική Εταιρεία Έρευνας Συμπεριφοράς), όπου συνεχίζει ακόμα ως εξωτερικός συνεργάτης και προσφέροντας εθελοντικά υπηρεσίες σε οριακούς ασθενείς αλλά και σε άτομα με διατροφικές διαταραχές. Στο πλαίσιο της επαγγελματικής της εμπειρίας, συνεργάζεται τα τελευταία 8 χρόνια έως και σήμερα με την Α’ Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, στο Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο (Μονάδα Διαταραχών Προσωπικότητας και Διαταραχών Πρόσληψης Τροφής), ενώ διετέλεσε επιστημονικός συνεργάτης στη Β’ Παιδιατρική Κλινική του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, στο Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Παίδων Αθηνών "Παναγιώτη και Αγλαΐας Κυριακού", εστιάζοντας σε ζητήματα γονεϊκότητας και όντας εκπαιδεύτρια σε προγράμματα γύρω από την Ψυχική Ανθεκτικότητα για επαγγελματίες υγείας αλλά και γενικό πληθυσμό. Έχει συμμετάσχει σε πανελλήνια και πανευρωπαϊκά συνέδρια Παιδιατρικής, Εφηβιατρικής, Ψυχολογίας, Ψυχιατρικής, καθώς και σε άλλα ιατρικά συνέδρια (χειρουργικής, μαιευτικής κα). Έχει συνεργαστεί με το Ινστιτούτο Ψυχικής και Σεξουαλικής Υγείας του Δρ Θάνου Ασκητή, ενώ συμμετείχε και στη συγγραφή εκπαιδευτικού υλικού για τη σεξουαλική αγωγή, εγκεκριμένο από το Υπουργείο Παιδείας, καθώς έχει ασχοληθεί και ερευνητικά με τον τομέα των Ψυχοσεξουαλικών ζητημάτων. Η επένδυση στην ψυχοθεραπεία είναι διαρκής, με εκπαίδευση στο Mindfulness, στη Θεραπεία Εστιασμένη στη Συμπόνοια καθώς και το Διατμηματικό Πρόγραμμα Ομαδικής Θεραπείας από την Ελληνική Εταιρεία Ψυχαναλυτικής Ψυχοθεραπείας Ομάδας. Είναι ενεργό μέλος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Έρευνας Συμπεριφοράς και της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Εφηβικής Ιατρικής, διατηρώντας συνεχή επαγγελματική εξέλιξη και επιστημονική ενημέρωση, δουλεύοντας κλινικά με εφήβους και ενήλικες.

Η Κουρουκεχαγιά Ευτέρπη είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας και Προσωπικής Ανάπτυξης. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Βούλα, στο Χαλάνδρι και πραγματοποιεί συνεδρίες διαδικτυακά. Η εκπαίδευσή της περιλαμβάνει πληθώρα εξειδικεύσεων, όπως η Ανασυνδυασμένη Εκλεκτική Συμβουλευτική, Συμβουλευτική Γονέων, Συμβουλευτική Ζεύγους, η Ψυχοθεραπεία Gestalt, η CBT και το NLP. Επιπλέον, έχει πιστοποιηθεί στη Διαχείριση Συναισθηματικού και Ψυχικού Τραύματος, στην Ψυχολογία της Υγείας και διαχείριση παθήσεων , στη Συστημική Αναπαράσταση και στην Ψυχοδυναμική Συμβουλευτική. Παράλληλα, έχει αποκτήσει πιστοποίηση στην Παιδοψυχολογία, στην Σχολική Ψυχολογία και στη Σεξουαλική Διαπαιδαγώγηση και Ψυχολογία των νεανικών σχέσεων, ενώ έχει παρακολουθήσει προγράμματα εκπαίδευσης για την ανάπτυξη στρατηγικών Coaching και Mentoring. Επίσης, κατέχει πιστοποίηση στην Συμβουλευτική Σταδιοδρομίας και επαγγελματικού προσανατολισμού, Σχολές Γονέων, εκπαίδευση εκπαιδευτών και στελεχών, στη Ψυχοπαθολογία, στη Δραματοθεραπεία, την Κλινική Ύπνωση και τη Συμβουλευτική για τη Διαχείριση της Ψυχολογίας των νέων. Ανάμεσα στις σπουδές της, περιλαμβάνονται και το Mindfulness Meditation and Positive Psychology από το Mandala Institute.Είναι πιστοποιημένη LIfe Coach και τελειόφοιτη στη Θετική Ψυχολογία. Επίσης παρακολουθεί σεμινάρια για την επαγγελματική καθοδήγηση και τον επαγγελματικό προσανατολισμό, με σκοπό την υποστήριξη ατόμων να ανακαλύψουν και να αναπτύξουν το δυναμικό τους στον επαγγελματικό τομέα. Η 30ετής επιτυχημένη επαγγελματική της πορεία στη Διοίκηση επιχειρήσεων και στη Διαχείριση ανθρώπινου δυναμικού, σε μεγάλες και πολυεθνικές εταιρείες στο κλάδο των πωλήσεων, την όπλισε γνώσεις και εφόδια και της δημιούργησε την ακλόνητη πεποίθηση πώς κάθε άνθρωπος διαθέτει τους εσωτερικούς πόρους για να εκπληρώσει τους στόχους του και μέσα από την κατάλληλη προσέγγιση μπορεί να ανακαλύψει το δυναμικό του. Επιπροσθέτως, η ειδικός συμμετέχει ενεργά σε επαγγελματικούς συλλόγους, όπως η Ελληνική Εταιρεία Ανασυνδυασμένης Εκλεκτικής Συμβουλευτικής και ο Σύλλογος Συμβουλευτικής Coaching Mentoring Ελλάδας, ώστε να παραμένει ενήμερη για τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις του πεδίου της συμβουλευτικής στην Ελλάδα. Η εμπειρία της και η συνεχής εκπαίδευσή της την βοηθούν να προσφέρει εξειδικευμένες υπηρεσίες ψυχικής υγείας και προσωπικής ανάπτυξης, προσαρμοσμένες στις ανάγκες των ατόμων και των οικογενειών.

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).

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.

Mpogdanou Marina is a Psychologist and adult psychotherapist. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Crete and a Master's degree in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy from the University of Central Lancashire. In addition to her primary studies, she has specialized and obtained certification in Life Coaching as well as in Special Education and Training. In recent years, she has been working privately as an adult psychotherapist, gaining experience in clinical settings such as the Psychiatry Department at AHEPA Hospital and the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki.

Mylona Xristina is a Psychologist undergoing training in Systemic Psychotherapy. Parenthood was her initial inspiration for engaging in psychology, as it motivated her to gain a deeper understanding of human relationships, everyday challenges, and the needs of families. This quest led her to focus on Systemic Psychotherapy, for which she continues her training at the "Entropia" Laboratory, deepening her knowledge of theories and methods that enable meaningful support for individuals and families. She graduated with honors from New Bulgarian University and has attended numerous educational programs in areas such as psychodynamic approaches, giftedness, and counseling. Her professional work focuses on individual and family counseling, with particular emphasis on supporting parents, children, and adolescents. Additionally, she volunteers with the Society for Cerebral Palsy of Northern Greece. She believes in the power of understanding, change, and empowerment, aiming to provide a safe and supportive environment for every individual seeking to improve their life.

Artemis Stefanidou Tsiavou is a licensed Psychologist and Psychotherapist, trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).

She provides individual psychotherapy sessions for adults and adolescents (12+), aiming to support the understanding of psychological difficulties, the stabilization of symptoms, and the improvement of daily functioning. She has experience working with anxiety, panic attacks, emotional distress, relationship difficulties, anger management, and self-esteem issues.

In her professional experience, she has worked in demanding clinical and community mental health settings, including work with court-referred cases, developing skills in crisis management, interdisciplinary collaboration, and maintaining a consistent therapeutic framework.

Her training is in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in accordance with the European standards of the EABCT. She places particular emphasis on building a safe and collaborative therapeutic relationship, where clients can explore their difficulties with respect and without judgment.

Antigoni Karamvalasi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She studied Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, from which she graduated with excellent grades (8.52). During her studies, she completed her internship at the "Self-Help Promotion Program" of Thessaloniki, in the field of addictions. Following her studies, she enrolled in the four-year specialization program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Hellenic Society for Behavioural Research - Macedonia Branch (HSBR-MB), which is certified by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). She undertakes individual Cognitive Behavioral therapy cases at the "Stirixis" Center. As part of her continuous education, she has attended numerous seminars related to mental health. She holds a Certificate of Specialized Training from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) for completing the programs "Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology" (9 months) and "Sexual Education for Children and Adolescents" (7 months). Since 2023, she has been volunteering at the Social Service of YWCA Thessaloniki, through which she conducts interventions in secondary schools of the city to provide information and raise awareness about issues of bullying and gender-based violence. She holds a professional license to practice psychology with registration number DDYKM/M.E.TH.533579(17678) and maintains a private office in Thessaloniki, offering psychotherapeutic services to adults and adolescents.

Emmanouela Brun is a mental health counselor dedicated to helping individuals gain a deep understanding of themselves and face life’s challenges with strength and clarity. She combines dynamic psychology with insights from neuroscience to offer thoughtful, personalized support.Emmanouela has always been deeply curious about how the human mind works and has felt a natural calling to support and uplift others.This innate curiosity and empathy are what led her to the path she follows today.Being half Greek and half Italian, she grew up within two cultures — an experience that sparked a deep fascination with how people from different backgrounds think, communicate, and navigate the world.Through her life and work, she has witnessed how easily misunderstandings can arise between people from different perspectives — how one person may mean one thing and another interpret it differently. These experiences have continually reminded her how intricate and nuanced human psychology truly is.Emmanouela began her academic journey at the University of Padua, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in Social Psychology and studied abroad for a semester at the University of Lisbon. After completing her degree, she immersed herself in dynamic psychology, attending courses at the University of Turin and exploring the power of the inner world.She later returned to Padua to complete her master’s in Cognitive and Applied Psychology, deepening her understanding of how thoughts, emotions, and the brain intertwine.Today, Emmanouela enjoys blending insights from psychoanalysis and dynamic psychology with discoveries from neuroscience and cognitive psychology.She spent a year providing psychological support to immigrant children and to those from abusive families in a school setting, and later offered assistance at a center for individuals with disabilities in Padua.Since 2023, she has established her own private practice, where she continues to offer therapy and psychological support.Each step of her journey has strengthened her belief in the power of human connection and in the profound impact that people can have on one another’s lives.In her practice, Emmanouela believes that behaviors, thoughts, and emotions are deeply influenced by unconscious processes and unresolved conflicts.She views the mind as a complex system, where what lies beneath the surface often holds the key to understanding current struggles. Every symptom, pattern, and emotional challenge has a deeper root cause — often stemming from past experiences, unconscious beliefs, and early life events.Her work focuses on uncovering these underlying forces, bringing them into conscious awareness, and understanding how they continue to shape behavior today.Emmanouela aims to help people make sense of their inner world, gain insight into their emotional lives, and work through unresolved issues that may be hindering their growth and well-being.She is also deeply interested in the connection between mind and body. For her, thoughts and emotions are not merely abstract ideas; they have a tangible, biological foundation that affects the nervous system, brain function, and overall health.By integrating insights from neuroscience and cognitive psychology, she explains how unconscious processes are also influenced by brain activity and physiological responses.This holistic perspective allows her to approach therapy in a more complete and practical way.Ultimately, Emmanouela’s work aims to help individuals explore what lies beneath the surface of their lives — to uncover the roots of their emotional patterns, understand their true motivations, and find clarity and purpose.Her goal is not only to guide people toward greater self-awareness but also to empower them to create meaningful, lasting change that leads to a more authentic and fulfilling life.