Health professionals for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) near Nea Ionia

Dimitris Koukleris is a Psychotherapist specializing in an Integrative approach (K.D.V.M. Athens Synthesis Centre) - Mental Health Counselor and maintains a private practice in Nea Irakleio. He holds a degree from the School of Educational Sciences at the University of the Aegean, a diploma in Integrative Counseling from COSCA, the European Certificate in Integrative Psychotherapy (E.C.I.P), and the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (E.C.P.). He has volunteered in the Social Service of the Municipality of Lykovrysi - Pefki and in the Psychological Support structure "Synypaxy." Furthermore, he is a regular member of the Hellenic Counseling Association, the European Association of Counselling, and the Hellenic Society of Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy. He is also a certified Integrative Psychotherapist of the European Association for Integrative Psychotherapy, a certified Psychotherapist of the National Psychotherapy Society of Greece (E.E.P.S.), as well as of the European Association for Psychotherapy.

“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;

Makra Sevasti is a Psychologist with a private practice in Acharnes. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Scholarship from the State Scholarships Foundation and a four-year scholarship from the Dodecanese Foundation) and a postgraduate diploma from the same University. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy for children and adults (Scholarship "Giannis Boulougouris" from the Institute for Research and Behavior Therapy for the four-year study program). In her private practice, she offers high-level individual psychotherapy services for adults to address psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive disorder, interpersonal difficulties, as well as individual psychotherapy for children and adolescents in cases such as anxiety, phobias, emotional difficulties, behavioral problems, learning disabilities, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Additionally, she provides counseling services to parents and couples. Lastly, she has an established body of written work related to the psychotherapy of children and adults.

Lekka Elena is a Psychologist - Child Psychologist with a private practice in Chalandri. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from University College London. She has also been trained in Special Education and the education of individuals with Disabilities and Special Educational Needs at the Second Pediatric Clinic of the University of Athens, as well as in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Medical Psychotherapeutic Center. In the field of voluntary work, she has collaborated with the NGO "Give Hope - Δώσε Ελπίδα," providing group psychological support sessions to cancer patients and their families. She gained significant clinical experience working with children, adolescents, and adults in both individual and group settings. She has worked as a school psychologist in primary education units and was a member of an interdisciplinary committee for diagnostic educational assessment and support of the educational needs of students and their families. She has also collaborated with centers providing psychosocial services to families, undertaking psychological support for children and adolescents through play therapy, parental counseling, and specialized learning support for children with learning difficulties. Currently, she teaches undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the School of Psychology and the School of Education as a collaborating lecturer at the University of Derby. In her private practice, she offers individual sessions for adults, children, and adolescents, as well as parental counseling both in-person and online.

Sarikosta Meropi is a Psychologist who has maintained a private practice in Nea Filadelfia since 2011. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and a trainee Relational Psychotherapist in the Postgraduate Specialization Program in Clinical Skills based on the Cognitive Analytic Model and Relational Psychotherapy at the Institute of Relational and Group Psychotherapy (ISOPS). She was trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at Aeginiteio Hospital (EPIPSY) and attended the annual postgraduate seminar "Clinical Psychopathology" at the same hospital. She has acquired clinical experience in the psychiatric department of G.N.A. Sismanogleio, as well as in the First Psychiatric Clinic (EKPA) of Aeginiteio Hospital. Additionally, since 2009, she has worked as a psychologist and permanent staff member in the psychiatric department of the Central Clinic of Athens of the Hellenic Police (EL.AS), while actively engaging in volunteer work as a volunteer at the KEFI association (Association of Cancer Patients, Volunteers, Friends, and Doctors of Athens) supporting patients with cancer. She holds a license to practice as a psychologist and is a member of the International Association of Relational Psychoanalysis & Psychotherapy (IARPP) and the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA). From 2013 to 2016, she participated in group psychotherapy based on the principles of Gestalt at the Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy & Training Center. Since 2020, she has been involved in group supervision, as well as individual and group psychotherapy within the Institute of Relational and Group Psychotherapy (ISOPS). She continually updates her knowledge by participating in seminars and conferences both in Greece and abroad.

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.

Karagianni Xrysa BSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Chalandri. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and specializes in CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, following training completed at the Institute of Research and Behavior Therapy. The specialist has gained significant experience working in the Social Service of the Municipality of Nikaia, and since 2014, she has been working as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist at the Alzheimer Society of Athens. In her private practice, she offers a wide range of services, respecting the individual needs of each patient, and also provides her services through online sessions.

Metta Kalliopi, MSc, is a Psychotherapist offering online sessions in both Greek and English, based between Athens and Amsterdam. She holds two Master’s degrees — in Clinical Psychology (Leiden University, the Netherlands) and Neuroscience (Carleton University, Canada). Kalliopi works exclusively online, providing psychotherapeutic support to adults in Greece and abroad. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety disorders, panic attacks, work-related stress, depression, ADHD, emotional regulation difficulties, interpersonal issues, psychosomatic symptoms, self-esteem challenges, addictions, as well as existential concerns related to meaning and identity. In her therapeutic practice, she integrates techniques from Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Therapy, aiming to help clients understand and change limiting patterns of thought and behavior. She supports individuals in managing anxiety, improving relationships, and enhancing self-esteem. Kalliopi also places particular emphasis on empowering and supporting members of the LGBTQIA+ community, approaching every individual with acceptance, respect, and authenticity. She has completed over 300 hours of personal psychotherapy, deepening her understanding of the therapeutic process and human experience.

Kerosi Maria - Ismini is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Galatsi. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Crete and a Master's Degree in Social Clinical Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Psychotherapies at Aeginiteio Hospital and is currently undergoing training in Schema Therapy from the Hellenic Society of Schema Therapy. She has worked as a Psychologist at the Rehabilitation and Recovery Clinic, Anaplasi, in the Social Service of the Municipality of Kifisia, and at the Alzheimer Center, Psychogeriatric Society "Nestor." Finally, she specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, individual psychotherapy, as well as anxiety and mood disorders.

Periklis Papadopoulos is a Psychologist – CBT Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Chalandri, Athens.He graduated from the Department of Psychology of Panteion University and holds a professional license to practice Psychology throughout Greece (License No. 7057). In 2018, he was admitted to the Hellenic Society for Cognitive Behavioral Studies – Institute for Behavioral Research and Therapy, for a 4-year training program leading to certification as a Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist (CBT). He graduated with a scholarship and was awarded the “Konstantinos Efthymiou” Prize for outstanding academic performance (exams).From 2018 to 2024, he served as a Clinical Psychologist and later as Head of the Psychology Department at the Institute of Mental and Sexual Health of Dr. Thanos Askitis.He specialized in the treatment of sexual dysfunctions (in men, women, and couples), marital and relationship issues, as well as sexual education for children and adolescents.In addition, he has worked extensively in individual psychotherapy with adults presenting with sexual disorders, depression, anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, panic disorder, phobias), obsessive-compulsive disorder, illness anxiety disorder, somatic symptom disorder, and personality disorders.He has contributed as co-author to the course “Special Topics in Andrology”, within the unit “The Role of Psychiatry in Andrology”, at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.He is a member of the Scientific Committee of the Hellenic Society of Sexology and Intergender Relationships. He has also participated in the Durex program “learn how to do it” on sexual education for adolescents, under the auspices of the Institute of Mental and Sexual Health of Dr. Thanos Askitis.He has been a speaker at scientific conferences and lectures on human sexuality and mental health. He has delivered talks to parents and students on “Sexual Education in Adolescence” as a Scientific Associate of the Institute of Mental and Sexual Health, and has published articles on the Institute’s website as well as in scientific journals in Greece and Cyprus.During his undergraduate studies, he completed internships at the Attica Psychiatric Hospital (PSNA) and later at the Amalthia Hostel as a trainee Psychologist. From 10/2009 to 05/2011, he undertook practical training at the Special Experimental Primary School of the University of Athens, under the supervision of Dr. Konstantinos Michailidis, focusing on psychological support and assessment of children with special needs.During his military service (01/2016–10/2016), he served as a Psychologist at the 414 Military Hospital and in military units in Sparta and Arta. He has also collaborated with Dr. K. Dimitroulis (Obstetrician – Gynecologist Surgeon) at the Biogenetic Center, offering psychological support to couples facing infertility.Since 2013, he has been practicing individual psychotherapy with adults in private practice.

Kostis Nikos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Marousi. He holds a BSc in Psychology from Swansea University in Wales, and has completed postgraduate studies (MSc Abnormal and Clinical Psychology) at the same university. Subsequently, he trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling. He has worked as a Clinical Psychologist in a Private Psychiatric Clinic as well as in a Residential Care Facility, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Clinical Psychology, and Anxiety and Mood Disorders.

Kouvaras Konstantinos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Chalandri. He holds a master's degree in Child and Adolescent Psychology (Child and Adolescent Psychology M.Sc.) from Leiden University in the Netherlands and a degree in Psychology from Panteion University. He is a certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist and has completed his studies at the Institute for Research and Behavioral Therapy. He specializes in anxiety disorders, depressive disorders, and personality disorders. He holds a Professional License to Practice Psychology (License No. 1247, Date 25/02/2011).