Health professionals for Αυτογνωσία in the Northern suburbs of Athens

Eleni Yoldasi is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Kifisia. With specialization in Person-Centered Psychotherapy, she offers a safe and supportive environment for personal development, self-awareness, and enhancement of mental well-being. Her goal is to help clients discover their potential, focusing on the values and needs that lead to an authentic and fulfilling life.

She completed her studies in Psychology at the **University of Essex** and is currently completing her training in **Person-Centered and Focusing-Oriented Counseling & Psychotherapy** at the **Hellenic Focusing Centre**. In parallel, she holds a diploma in **Health and Wellness Coaching** from the **International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring**, while she continuously expands her knowledge with courses in philosophy, focusing on fundamental questions concerning life and human existence.

**Person-Centered Psychotherapy** is a therapeutic approach developed by **Carl Rogers** in the 20th century. Its core idea is that every individual has the potential to grow and resolve their issues when they feel accepted and understood. The therapist does not guide or judge the client but supports them with empathy and unconditional positive regard. This allows the client to explore their emotions, thoughts, and concerns in a safe space.

The therapy focuses on the person and their needs, rather than on the problem or diagnosis. The essence lies in the development of a genuine and honest relationship between therapist and client, which enables the latter to discover their own solutions and strengthen their self-esteem. Person-Centered Psychotherapy believes that we all possess the capacity for self-actualization and to live a life that truly satisfies us, as long as we have the appropriate environment of support and understanding.

Elena Georgakopoulou is a Counseling Psychologist - Psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults. She holds a professional license to practice in England (HCPC Register PYL 15025) since 2006, and a professional license in Greece since 2008. She is also a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and has worked as a Psychologist in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom (NHS), providing therapy to adults and children with severe clinical symptomatology. She has worked with adults and children and utilizes an eclectic and integrative model combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), systemic, and person-centered approaches. Her work often involves collaboration with parents, as well as coordination with other agencies such as educational settings, while in Greece she works remotely. She is interested in and can assist in areas such as autism and autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety and depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), low self-esteem and self-confidence, loss of meaning and direction in life, relational and attachment difficulties, and parental counseling. Sessions are also provided in English.

Danai Panagiotou is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi, where she provides psychological therapy to children, adolescents, and adults. She holds a postgraduate specialization degree in Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology from University College London and the Anna Freud Centre in London. She has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, as well as a certificate in Counseling Psychology from City University London. She has completed a four-year training program of seminars and workshops in group analysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy. She has previously been involved in teaching training programs in Counseling and Integrative Psychotherapy at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. She has collaborated with private organizations in Greece, delivering lectures and talks. In recent years, she has worked as an external associate in special education centers, providing psychological support to children as well as parental counseling. In her private practice, she addresses self-awareness and personal development, low self-esteem, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, depression, phobias, stress and panic attacks, post-traumatic stress, obsessive-compulsive disorders, anger management, divorce and separation, grief, and loss.

Anastasia Olympiou - Hansen is a Psychologist (BSc, MSc), licensed in Greece and registered as a Mental Health Counselor in Norway, with experience in supporting adults.

She has completed postgraduate training in Health Psychology at the University of Derby.

She works with a range of concerns including phobias, panic attacks, stress, burnout, emotional difficulties, relationships difficulties and life transitions (e.g. career changes, migration, relationships). She supports individuals in effectively managing anxiety and panic, strengthening self-confidence and psychological resilience, and improving their overall daily functioning and quality of life.

She has experience in behavioural change interventions and has supported adults in individual settings, aiming at sustainable and meaningful improvements in mental health and well-being.

She is also active in research in the field of Health Psychology, with a recent publication in 2024 in an international peer-reviewed journal (SAGE) on laughter interventions and their impact on psychological well-being and quality of life in cancer patients.

Olympiou, A., & Ahmed, S. (2024). Laughter Interventions to Improve Psychological Well-Being/QoL in Cancer Patients: A Mini Systematic Review. Sage Open, 14(4).

Sessions are available in Greek, English, and Norwegian.

Seminars

1. Building Personal Resilience:Managing Anxiety and Mental Health, HarvardX, March 2026, CME Online Down Syndrome, Harvard University Online, October 2015
2. Assessment and Treatment of Depression in the Primary Care Setting, Harvard University Online, November 2015
3. Assessment and Treatment of Anxiety in the Primary Care Setting, Harvard University Online, November 2015
4. Altzheimer's Disease, Harvard University Online, November 2015
5. Addiction in Your Practice: Information and Resources for Dealing with Addictive Behavior, Harvard University Online, November 2014

Skordialou Maria is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Marousi. She studied in the Psychology Department of Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. Subsequently, she trained in Cognitive Psychotherapy at the Research University Mental Health Institute, in collaboration with Aeginiteio Hospital, and in Systemic Couple Therapy at the Institute of Systemic Therapy of Thessaloniki. Additionally, she has been trained in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Institute, as well as in the use of psychometric tools such as WISC III, C.A.T., T.A.T., S.A.T., and projective drawing techniques. She possesses extensive experience, having worked in various institutions and organizations. Alongside her private practice, she is an adult educator, collaborates with the Psychotherapy Center "Synichisi," the Special Therapy Center "Therapaizontas," and also works in primary and secondary schools in the Attica region.

Diakopoulou Sofia is a Psychologist - Specialist Systemic Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Nea Ionia. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holding a professional practice license. She holds a Master's degree (MSc) in "Management of Aging and Chronic Diseases" from the Hellenic Open University in collaboration with the University of Thessaly and is currently undergoing specialization in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Laboratory for the Exploration of Human Relationships. The specialist has gained experience in both the public and private sectors, providing psychological support to students, educators, and parents through the Ministry of Education, as well as to vulnerable population groups through her collaboration with NGOs. Since 2023, she has been offering psychotherapeutic services to adults, focusing on issues such as low self-esteem, anxiety, losses, and relationship difficulties, applying the principles of the systemic approach. Additionally, she is distinguished by her empathy, active listening, and respect for the uniqueness of each individual. Through a safe and collaborative therapeutic framework, her goal is to support individuals in empowerment, psychological resilience, and achieving personal balance.

“There is a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in” που σημαίνει «Υπάρχει μια ρωγμή σε όλους, έτσι το φως περνάει μέσα μας». Αυτή είναι μια φράση του Leonard Cohen, πάνω στην οποία «έπεσα» επάνω, σε μικρή ηλικία και σε μια πολύ δύσκολη και κρίσιμη περίοδο της ζωής μου. Αυτή η φράση μου έδωσε μια περίεργη αίσθηση αισιοδοξίας κι ελπίδας χωρίς να έχω καταλάβει ακριβώς εκείνη τη στιγμή τι σημαίνει. Αρχισα, λοιπόν, από μικρή ηλικία να ψάχνω τι σημαίνει το να είναι ένας άνθρωπος «σπασμένος». Κάθε μέρα έδινα και μια ακόμα ερμηνεία σε αυτό. Αν και πρόκειται για μια διαδικασία που δεν σταματάει και ποτέ. Προκειμένου να μπορέσω να καταλάβω τα κομμάτια που με απαρτίζουν, να τα κολλήσω και να μπορέσω να επιτρέψω στο φως να περάσει, άρχισα να στρέφομαι στην ψυχολογία και να έχω μια επιθυμία να καταλαβαίνω τα «γιατί» που υπήρχαν πίσω από τα κομμάτια μου. Να προσπαθήσω να ταιριάξω το ένα με το άλλο και να σχηματίσω την εικόνα του εαυτού μου. Όπως εγώ με βλέπω, όπως εγώ με καταλαβαίνω, όπως εγώ με αισθάνομαι, όπως εγώ εκφράζομαι, όπως εγώ με μαθαίνω, και φυσικά να συμφιλιωθώ με αυτά. Ακόμα, κατάλαβα πως δεν πειράζει καθόλου να υπάρχουν κομμάτια και ρωγμές, καθώς τίποτα δεν είναι τέλειο. Άλλωστε χωρίς ρωγμές πως θα χωρέσει το φως; Από το σχολείο κιόλας, έπρεπε να επιλέξω ανάμεσα σε διάφορα μαθήματα ελεύθερης επιλογής και στράφηκα σε αυτό της ψυχολογίας. Τότε κατάλαβα πως αυτό ήθελα. Να ασχοληθώ με αυτήν την επιστήμη. Αρχικά για να καταλάβω εμένα κι έπειτα για να μπορέσω να βοηθήσω κι όσους το έχουν ανάγκη να βρουν κι εκείνοι αυτά τα «σπασμένα» κομμάτια, να τα κρατήσουν στα χέρια τους, να τα αναγνωρίσουν, να τα αγαπήσουν και να μπορέσουν να ζήσουν με αυτά, αφήνοντας το φως να περάσει. Ονομάζομαι Μαρία Σολδάτου και ξεκίνησα το ταξίδι μου στον κόσμο της ψυχολογίας από τη φιλοσοφική σχολή Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ), στο τμήμα Φιλοσοφία-Παιδαγωγικό-Ψυχολογίας. Ύστερα, θέλοντας να λάβω παραπάνω γνώσεις πάνω στο αντικείμενο, σπούδασα Εφαρμοσμένη Ψυχολογία (Applied Psychology), στο πανεπιστήμιο του Derby. Ύστερα, προκειμένου να αποκτήσω εμπειρία πάνω στο αντικείμενο, επέλεξα το μεταπτυχιακό μου πάνω στην Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική και Ψυχοθεραπεία (Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy), στο πανεπιστήμιο του Derby. Μέσα από το μεταπτυχιακό μου ολοκλήρωσα 300 ώρες εποπτευόμενης πρακτικής στο Roots Wellness Center, στο οποίο και συνεχίζω ως συνεργάτης μετά από την ολοκλήρωση του μεταπτυχιακού μου. Παράλληλα με τις σπουδές μου, δούλεψα εθελοντικά στην ΜΚΟ, animahome, μονάδα ψυχικής υγείας και κοινωνικής στήριξης. Ως θεραπευόμενη κι εγώ με τη σειρά μου κατάλαβα πόσο σημαντική είναι η σχέση μεταξύ του θεραπευτή και του θεραπευόμενου. Πόσο σημαντική είναι η ανάπτυξη της εμπιστοσύνης και της ασφάλειας προκειμένου να γίνει κάποιος συνοδοιπόρος στο δύσκολο, μα τόσο λυτρωτικό ταξίδι της ψυχοθεραπευτικής διαδικασίας. Κατάλαβα πόσο σημαντικό είναι να μπορεί ένας άνθρωπος να «ανοίξει» τα κομμάτια του σε ένα ασφαλές πλαίσιο, χωρίς κρητική. Να μπορέσει να δώσει ο ίδιος τις απαντήσεις στις δυσκολίες του έχοντας ως σημείο αναφοράς το θεραπευτικό πλαίσιο, προσπαθώντας να βρει και να θέσει ο ίδιος το δικό του κέντρο, επιστρέφοντας σε αυτό, προκειμένου να μπορέσει να βρει τις δικές του ισορροπίες. Ως ψυχοθεραπεύτρια εκπαιδεύτηκα στο Συνθετικό μοντέλο (ψυχοδυναμική, προσωποκεντρική και γνωστική-συμπεριφοριστική προσέγγιση). Χρησιμοποιώντας τις διαφορετικές προσεγγίσεις δημιουργείται ένα εξατομικευμένο πλάνο ανάλογα με τις ανάγκες και τους θεραπευτικούς στόχους του κάθε ατόμου. Φυσικά, πιστεύω πάρα πολύ στη διαρκή ενημέρωση, εξέλιξη και ανάπτυξη του ατόμου, γι’ αυτό και συνεχίζω να ενημερώνομαι συνεχώς και να ενισχύω τις γνώσεις μου σε προσωπικό και επαγγελματικό επίπεδο. Εσένα λοιπόν, ποια είναι τα κομμάτια σου;

Patargia Eirini is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist, graduate of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and maintains a private practice in Cholargos. Simultaneously, she is a scientific associate at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens at Aiginiteio Hospital. She has specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Institute of Research and Therapy of Behavior and in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (Behavioural Tech, Linehan Institute, Seattle US). At the postgraduate level, she has completed the program "Promotion of Mental Health - Prevention of Mental Disorders" at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, has completed the training program titled "Forensic - Psychiatric Forensic Psychology" at the same university, and has completed courses related to Family Therapy at the University of California, Pacifica Graduate School USA. She has worked at the private eating disorders clinic “Pacific Shores Hospital” in California, USA. In 2013, she created the website "SelfCare.gr", aimed at informing, supporting, and communicating with individuals experiencing emotional abuse and individuals suffering from eating disorders. Her clinical practice includes a wide range of individual and group psychotherapy for adults with eating disorders, borderline personality disorder, anxiety and emotional disorders, depression, individuals who have experienced emotional abuse, and counseling support for individuals facing problems in their marriage or interpersonal relationships.