Health professionals for Depression in Kriti

Ranoutsou Georgia is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She holds a degree in Sociology from the School of Social Sciences at the University of Crete and a degree in Psychology from the School of Social Sciences at MBS College. She has worked as a Psychologist in the private practice of Ioanna Niakaki, in the breast cancer organization, in the Psychiatric Clinic of Venizeleio - Pananio Hospital, and in the Oncology Clinic of the Regional University General Hospital of Heraklion. Additionally, she has worked as a Psychologist in the Pathology Clinic at the "ALLILEGGYIS" Alzheimer's Center and as a Psychologist - Sociologist at the Mental Health Center of Rethymno. In her practice, she addresses cases across the entire spectrum of psychology and mental health, with a specialization in couples therapy, depression, and anxiety and mood disorders.

Maria Xalepli is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist with a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She graduated with honors from the Psychology Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She holds a four-year specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for adults (CBT) from the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies. Additionally, she has been trained by the same organization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children and Adolescents. She has also obtained certification in "School Psychology" from EKKE, University of Patras. She has worked as a psychologist at the Day Center for the Homeless of the Municipality of Athens, providing psychosocial support to vulnerable and at-risk groups. She works in private psychotherapy centers providing psychological support to adults and adolescents. Furthermore, as part of her practicum, she worked as a psychologist at the Counseling Station of the Municipality of Petroupoli, where she addressed therapy requests for both adults and adolescents as well as parental counseling. Finally, in her office, she handles cases involving interpersonal relationships, anxiety disorders, phobias, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder management, and more.

Polonyfi Athanasia maintains a practice in Rethymno, Crete, offering comprehensive mental health and counseling services with integrity and understanding. She was born in Marousi, Attica, and raised in Messolonghi. She was admitted to the Faculty of Pharmacy in Athens through the national entrance examinations and completed her internship in the Parenteral Nutrition Department at the University Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia." With extensive experience and excellent scientific training, she provides her services in Rethymno, Crete, assisting individuals in addressing potential emotional disorders and interpersonal relationship issues with utmost professionalism and sincerity. She holds a professional practice license under number 237467. Furthermore, she has been accepted into the Continuing Education program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy offered by the Lifelong Learning Center of the University of Crete, aiming to achieve even more comprehensive training and continuously improve the quality of her services.

PsyMetrics Lab, based in Ierapetra, Crete, with the capability for online sessions, is a specialized center for psychometric assessment and psychotherapeutic support for adolescents and adults. The core focus of the center is the scientifically substantiated investigation of cognitive and emotional difficulties, with particular emphasis on ADHD, learning disabilities, and attention difficulties. Ifigeneia Liousia - Psymetrics Lab is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of Derby and holder of an MSc in Clinical Psychology from the same university. Additionally, she is undergoing training in Integrative Psychotherapy at EICP - European Institute of Counseling & Psychotherapy, and holds a specialization in Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as further training in adult ADHD from DI.K.E.P.S.Y. Here, different cognitive functioning is not approached as a deficit, but as a distinct profile of strengths and needs that requires understanding, accurate interpretation, and practical support. The goal is not only diagnostic clarification and empowerment of the individual, but also the enhancement of their functionality in studies, work, and daily life. Additionally, psychotherapeutic support is provided for anxiety, chronic stress, perfectionism, procrastination, depression, self-esteem difficulties, and interpersonal issues. The therapeutic approach is integrative, with a structured framework of goals, clinical case formulation, and an emphasis on creating a stable and secure therapeutic relationship.

Maggana Panagiota is a Psychologist - Specialist Psychotherapist working privately, offering online sessions in Greek and English. She provides services to individuals living in Greece and abroad. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology (BSc) at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). She holds a master's degree (MSc) in Social Psychology from Tilburg University in the Netherlands. Additionally, she specializes through a four-year training program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) provided by the Hellenic Society of Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy (GACBP).

The therapeutic approach of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy aims to illuminate the connections between thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. From early years and throughout a person's life, certain thought patterns as well as cognitive and behavioral "habits" are formed that are not always functional and often lead to dysphoric feelings or complicate our relationship with ourselves or others.

In therapy, the goal is to establish a therapeutic alliance and collaboration to identify these patterns. By setting realistic goals and considering objective environmental challenges, the individual begins to gain self-awareness, practice self-acceptance and self-compassion, and through a range of tools, develops new mechanisms for managing the self, relationships, and everyday situations.

Ο Μάριος Μπαγιάστας είναι Κλινικός Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος, εξειδικευμένος στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) και στη χρήση τεχνικών Mindfulness. Παρέχει δια ζώσης συνεδρίες στο γραφείο του στο κέντρο της Αθήνας αλλά και online ψυχοθεραπευτικές συνεδρίες, δίνοντας τη δυνατότητα σε άτομα από όλη την Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό να λάβουν ψυχολογική υποστήριξη από την άνεση του προσωπικού τους χώρου. Διαθέτει πτυχίο Ψυχολογίας από το University of East London και μεταπτυχιακό δίπλωμα στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία από το Euraka, ενώ έχει ολοκληρώσει και δεύτερο μεταπτυχιακό στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία από το London Metropolitan University. Επιπλέον έχει παρακολουθήσει μετεκπαίδευση στις Αγχώδεις και Καταθλιπτικές Διαταραχές από το Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ). Κατά τη διάρκεια των συνεδριών του, ενσωματώνει τεχνικές Mindfulness, βοηθώντας τους θεραπευόμενους να εστιάσουν στο "εδώ και τώρα", να διαχειριστούν το άγχος και τις αρνητικές σκέψεις και να ενισχύσουν τη συναισθηματική τους ισορροπία. Η χρήση Mindfulness έχει αποδειχθεί ιδιαίτερα αποτελεσματική στη μείωση του άγχους, των κρίσεων πανικού και της κατάθλιψης, ενισχύοντας τη συνολική ψυχική ευεξία. Με σημαντική εμπειρία σε φορείς Ψυχικής Υγείας όπως οι Ψυχαγκάλη, Roe, Mytherapist και Milamou, ο Μάριος Μπαγιάστας έχει συνεργαστεί με άτομα που αντιμετωπίζουν: Αγχώδεις Διαταραχές, Κατάθλιψη, Κρίσεις Πανικού και Φοβίες, Διαταραχές Διατροφής, Διαχείριση Θυμού και Διαχείριση Πένθους. Οι συνεδρίες που προσφέρει έχουν σχεδιαστεί για να προσαρμόζονται στις ανάγκες του κάθε θεραπευόμενου, προσφέροντας ένα ασφαλές και υποστηρικτικό περιβάλλον. Με στόχο τη δημιουργία ενός κλίματος εμπιστοσύνης και αποδοχής, βοηθά τους θεραπευόμενους να ενδυναμώσουν την αυτογνωσία τους, να αποκτήσουν ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα και να ζήσουν μια ζωή γεμάτη ισορροπία και ευεξία. Οι αξίες που διέπουν τη δουλειά του είναι η ενσυναίσθηση, η αποδοχή, το πραγματικό ενδιαφέρον για τον άνθρωπο και η αγάπη για την επιστήμη της Ψυχολογίας.

Polyxronaki Panagiota is a clinical psychologist - psychotherapist providing online sessions.

She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Leiden University, Netherlands. She has been trained in the Cognitive Behavioral Approach by the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies.

She is certified in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has completed the one-year postgraduate program in Clinical Psychopathology at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the Research University Mental Health Institute (EPISY), as well as holding a diploma in Coaching from UGROW and the Positive Psychology Society.

In parallel, she has attended numerous specialized trainings and continually pursues her professional development through supervision and ongoing education.

Regarding her professional training, she completed her internship as part of her postgraduate studies at the Psychiatric Clinic of the University Hospital of Heraklion and at the Alzheimer Day Center "Nefeli". Additionally, she completed an internship at the Student Counseling Center of NKUA, providing therapeutic support to students.

She works privately, providing sessions to adults and adolescents.

Ms. Vardoulaki Katerina is a psychologist and psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete, while her postgraduate specialization in Clinical Psychology was completed at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has attended seminars and continuing education programs from accredited institutions (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ampelokipi Mental Health Center of Thessaloniki, 18 Ano, etc.). She has contributed translationally to scientific texts by Ian Parker, and in 2022, her research on the evaluation of mental health structures was published in the International Journal of Psychology. Throughout her professional career, she has worked in a counseling and therapeutic capacity with children, adolescents, adults, families, elderly individuals, and socially vulnerable groups. Among the professional settings in which she has been employed are schools, short-term adolescent residential facilities, Social Cooperative Enterprises (Koin.S.Pe.), Mental Health Centers, nursing homes, OKANA (Organization Against Drugs), and others. Psychotherapeutically, she has worked individually with adults and families. In her practice, she follows the psychodynamic approach.

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.

Zaxaropoulou Eleni is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She is a graduate of Luton University in England, specializing in Psychology with Health Studies, and holds a Master’s degree from Derby University in England in Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy (MSc Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy). Since 2017, she has been a member of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP). She possesses extensive and broad-ranging experience, having worked with organizations such as NELE as a public trainer, in KAPI (Open Care Centers for the Elderly), KIFI (Centers for the Care of the Elderly with Disabilities), and municipalities in the Heraklion Prefecture. She has served as a coordinator for parent schools in many schools in the city of Heraklion as well as in rural areas. Additionally, she has previously collaborated with various social structures, such as the Child Protection Center of Heraklion, providing counseling and psychological support to children, adolescents, and young girls who have been removed from their family environments. She has also worked in private and municipal kindergartens (KEPA), in the Creative Occupation Center (KDAP) of the Gorgolaini municipality, the CALCETTO football academy, and in elderly care units (Libyan and Friendly Hearth). She specializes in the integrative counseling and psychotherapy model, trauma therapy, and couples counseling. Since 1995, she has maintained a private practice in Heraklion, Crete, and understanding the demands of the modern era, she also conducts sessions via Skype. She works with adults, adolescents, and children, specializing in relationship problems, divorce, grief, anxiety, phobias, depression, self-awareness, self-improvement, obsessive-compulsive disorders, panic attacks, and psychosomatic issues. In parallel, she is active in individual counseling as well as marriage and family counseling.

Paraskeui Stamataki is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist offering online sessions. She holds a degree in Psychology from Panteion University, with postgraduate studies in Neuroscience and Mental Functioning ("Brain and Mind") and specialization in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy and psychopathology. Having worked in various settings, including psychiatric clinics and diagnostic centers, she provides psychological support services for adults dealing with anxiety, panic attacks, phobias, as well as interpersonal issues. Her professional experience also includes collaboration with primary and secondary schools, offering comprehensive therapeutic solutions and counseling for personal development and mental well-being. Additionally, the Psychologist has participated in numerous seminars as part of her ongoing professional development. Ultimately, with the aim of effectively enhancing emotional balance and well-being, the specialist offers individualized psychological services centered on understanding and managing mental health challenges.

Dimitra Drakaki is a Clinical Psychologist who works privately, offering online therapy sessions in Greek, English and French. She holds a Bachelor’s degree (BSc) in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as a Master’s degree (MSc) in Clinical Psychology, Psychopathology, and Health Psychology from Paris Nanterre University in France.

Her therapeutic practice is grounded in the psychodynamic model, with theoretical and clinical training obtained through the psychoanalytic program of Paris Nanterre University, complemented by further specialization through seminars and professional trainings at institutions such as ASM13 (Paris, France). In parallel, she is engaged in personal therapy and receives psychodynamic supervision.

Her clinical interests have led her to work with diverse populations and settings, including psychiatric clinics (ASM13 – Hôpital L’Eau-Vive, CH Fondation Vallée), medical and psychosocial support centers (CMP Philippe Paumelle, Centre Friends’ Play, SOS Children’s Villages), working with adults as well as children and adolescents. She has provided individual therapy and facilitated therapeutic groups, as well as groups for mental health professionals. Issues related to parenthood and family relationships are central to her research interests; she has explored women’s experiences of infertility and its connection to the biological and emotional dimensions of the female body.

Allowing her professional identity to be shaped through these experiences, she draws on a range of therapeutic tools that enable each individual to come into contact with a more authentic version of themselves. The aim of the therapeutic relationship is to create a safe space in which the client can process their experiences, reflect on their personal history, and develop greater awareness and freedom in relation to their choices and desires.

Sarrimaurogeni Stamatia is a Psychologist specializing in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and conducts online psychotherapy sessions. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and is continuing her training in psychodynamic psychotherapy through HOPEinGA. She completed her practical internship at the Chania Mental Health Center and subsequently participated in the Erasmus+ program at the AMEOS St. Josef psychiatric clinic in Oberhausen. She has attended numerous seminars accredited by certified organizations and has participated in educational workshops and conferences.

Zaxaraki Foteini is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She studied Psychology at Wrexham University in the United Kingdom, as well as Social Anthropology at the University of the Aegean, completing postgraduate studies specializing in Asian countries at SOAS, University of London. She has been trained in Systemic Family Therapy at the Laboratory of Systemic Thinking & Training, certified by the European Family Therapy Association Training Institute Chamber (EFTA TIC). She has participated in research programs concerning minorities and migrants in the Netherlands and Greece and has taken part in several anthropological field studies. Additionally, she is a certified Life & Business Coach by the European Mentoring & Coaching Council and has extensive professional experience in the business sector. She holds a license to practice as a Psychologist, maintains a legal office in Heraklion, Crete, and works in individual and group psychotherapy and coaching sessions. She is a member of the British Psychological Society, the American Anthropological Association, as well as the Association of Social Anthropologists of Greece.

Mauromatakis Konstantinos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. He is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and specializes in Experiential and Somatically Focused Psychotherapy (a four-year experiential program at the Greek Focusing Center). He has completed both basic and advanced training in EMDR Psychotherapy through an accredited program by the EMDR Europe Association. He has worked as a psychologist and psychotherapist in public and private institutions, all supporting numerous individuals with traumatic backgrounds, where EMDR is applied as part of the therapeutic process.

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.

Gavrilakis Polydoros is a Psychiatrist with a private practice in Chania. He graduated from the Medical School of the University of Patras and completed his specialization at the University Hospital of Heraklion. Simultaneously, he trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy, Systemic Family Therapy, and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. In his private practice, he offers specialized counseling services for the diagnosis and treatment of all mental disorders, including bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and mood disorders, dementia, addiction problems, somatoform and sexual disorders. His services include supportive and counseling psychotherapy, personalized pharmacotherapy, as well as combined therapies. The physician successfully applies Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which is the most well-documented technique worldwide for treating anxiety and depression, as well as resolving most psychological issues. He also offers alternative and complementary therapies.

Sfakianakis Georgios BSc, MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. He holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and a master's degree in "Integrative Psychotherapy and Counseling" from Mediterranean College, a branch of the University of Derby, UK. The integrative model he practices combines cognitive-behavioral, person-centered, and psychoanalytic approaches (with an emphasis on attachment theory). Since 2024, he has also been attending the training seminar at the University of Crete in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy.

He has completed his practical training in various settings. Initially, at the Psychiatric Clinic "Agios Charalampos" during his undergraduate studies, followed by placements at the General Hospital of Heraklion "Venizeleio - Pananio," the Heraklion Community Center, MITERA Hospital in Athens, and the 2nd & 5th Primary Schools of Nea Alikarnassos as part of his postgraduate degree. Additionally, he served as a Psychologist during his 9-month military service, participating in all related activities and responsibilities.

He provides psychotherapy sessions to individuals over 16 years old, either in person or online. The first session is offered free of charge, as it primarily serves as an introductory meeting.

Antonis Paksimadakis is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. At Inner Balance, counseling and psychotherapy services are provided, either individually (for adults or adolescents) or in groups (for couples and families), aiming to enhance mental health and personal development. The approach is based on scientifically validated methods and emphasizes personalization, empathy, and the creation of a safe and progressive therapeutic environment. Sessions are available both in-person and online, in Greek as well as English. Fees start at €30, with special discounts offered to students, military personnel, and families with many children.