Health professionals for Obsessive–compulsive disorder-OCD in the Northern suburbs of Athens

Skylitsi Ioanna Mag.Phil., MEd is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience supporting adults and couples, maintaining a private practice in Marousi. In her work, she creates a safe and meaningful space aimed at an in-depth understanding of the challenges affecting daily life, relationships, and internal balance. She has worked in Greece and Austria, both privately and within organized institutions, and for over ten years provided psychological support to women survivors of gender-based and domestic violence. She practices based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and the Systemic approach for couples. She offers in-person and online sessions in Greek and German.

Ο Οικονομίδης Απόστολος είναι Ψυχολόγος – Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Νέο Ψυχικό. Είναι κάτοχος πτυχίου Ψυχολογίας από το Αμερικανικό Κολλέγιο Ελλάδος και το Open University της Αγγλίας και μετέπειτα έλαβε διετή ειδίκευση στη Θεραπεία Συμπεριφοράς Διαταραχών Άγχους, Ιδεοψυχαναγκαστικής και Μετατραυματικής Διαταραχής στο Ερευνητικό Πανεπιστημιακό Ινστιτούτο Ψυχικής Υγιεινής σε συνεργασία με την Α’ Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Επίσης, έχει παρακολουθήσει μονοετή μετεκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα στην Κλινική Ψυχοπαθολογία και τις Κλινικές Δεξιότητες από την Α΄ Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών σε συνεργασία με την Ελληνική Ψυχιατρική Εταιρεία. Στο παρελθόν συνεργάστηκε με το Ιατρείο Θεραπείας Συμπεριφοράς καθώς και με τη Μονάδα Θεραπείας Συμπεριφοράς του Ελληνικού Κέντρου Ψυχικής Υγιεινής και Ερευνών, όπου αντιμετώπισε ψυχοθεραπευτικά ως επί το πλείστον περιστατικά αγχωδών και συναφών διαταραχών (διαταραχή πανικού, αγοραφοβία, γενικευμένο άγχος, ιδεοψυχαναγκαστική διαταραχή, κ.α). Συμμετέχει σταθερά σε ομάδες εποπτείας ψυχολόγων, ενώ έχει εμπειρία στην διοργάνωση ψυχοεκπαιδευτικών ομάδων με έμφαση στις δεξιότητες διαχείρισης ψυχοπιεστικών καταστάσεων.

Mamo Xrysovalanto - Eirini is a Psychologist specializing in Clinical Psychology and Counseling, holding a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the University of Derby, as well as a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in Applied Psychology. Her experience includes professional and voluntary work across a wide range of psychological needs and interventions. She has collaborated with organizations such as the Hellenic Network of European Women, IASIS, and Ithaca Laundry, providing counseling sessions and contributing to programs that promote social inclusion and psychological well-being. Additionally, she actively participates in continuous education, currently undergoing a four-year training program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). In the past, she has completed specialized training programs in Psychodynamic Therapy, Systemic Counseling, and Counseling Psychotherapy. She has an extensive research portfolio, with publications exploring topics such as "emotional nourishment," attachment, mental disorders, and innovative psychological interventions.

Petrou Vilma MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and conducts online sessions. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Athens with honors. She has held a professional practice license since 2021 and has specialized in stress management and anxiety disorders through the postgraduate program "Science of Stress and Health Promotion" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her psychotherapeutic approach is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in which she was trained through the four-year training program of the Institute for Research and Behavioral Therapy (IEΘS). Simultaneously, through her participation in a holistic stress management and lifestyle change program for heroin-dependent users at the OKANA Unit of Sismanogleio Hospital, she gained valuable experience in the management of addictions, providing both individual and group sessions. In recent years, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, offering psychotherapy and counseling on issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, emotional difficulties, and interpersonal relationship challenges. Her experience includes individual adult sessions (both in-person and online), as well as sessions with children and adolescents through her collaboration with Special Therapy Centers. Her goal is to tailor the techniques she applies to the individualized needs of each client, aiming to improve their mental health and quality of life.

Η Σπηλιωτοπούλου Τζένη έχει περισσότερα από 20 χρόνια εμπειρίας στον χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας. Σπούδασε και εκπαιδεύτηκε εξολοκλήρου στην Αγγλία. Έχοντας ολοκληρώσει το πτυχίο της στην Εφαρμοσμένη Ψυχολογία συνέχισε τις μεταπτυχιακές της σπουδές στο Goldsmiths College, University of London όπου είχε την τύχη να είναι ανάμεσα στους τελευταίους που διδάχθηκαν και εκπαιδεύτηκαν από τον ίδιο τον Professor Windy Dryden, πρωτοπόρο στον τομέα της RECBT. Επόπτης της ήταν ο Rob Willson, ηγετικό όνομα στην θεραπεία της Ιδεοψυχαναγκαστικής Διαταραχής (ΙΔΨ/ OCD) και της Σωματο-δυσμορφικής Διαταραχής (BDD). Ήταν μεταξύ των πρωτοπόρων που ξεκίνησαν τις CBT Clinics Βραχείας Ψυχοθεραπείας εντός των Γενικών Ιατρείων της Μ. Βρετανίας. Το NHS μονιμοποίησε και ενσωμάτωσε στο σύστημά του τις CBT Clinics ανακουφίζοντας έτσι τις μακρές και ασφυκτικές λίστες αναμονής, μέτρο που αξιοποιεί μέχρι σήμερα. Ξεκίνησε την καριέρα της σε Κλινική Γενικών Ιατρών παρέχοντας κύκλο σύντομων συνεδριών για ψυχολογικά θέματα όπως αγχώδεις διαταραχές, κατάθλιψη, πένθος, ζητήματα σχέσεων. Ταυτόχρονα, εργάστηκε ψυχοθεραπευτικά –ατομικά και ομαδικά- σε δομή της Richmond Fellowship (R.F.) με άτομα με οξεία προβλήματα ψυχικής υγείας όπως σχιζοφρένεια, ψυχώσεις, διπολική διαταραχή και παρόμοιες παθήσεις. Την ίδια περίοδο απέρριψε πρόταση του Priory Hospital of North London θέλοντας να τιμήσεις την δέσμευσή της προς τους θεραπευόμενους της Richmond Fellowship. Συνέχισε στην R.F. με καθηκοντολόγιο Διευθύντριας Δομής. Εξειδικεύτηκε στην ΙΔΨ διαταραχή δουλεύοντας εκτενώς ατομικά και ομαδικά με πάσχοντες καθ’ όλη τη διάρκεια της μακράς συνεργασίας της με το OCD Centre of London, Belgravia. Υιοθέτησε το επιτυχημένο θεραπευτικό μοντέλο εντατικής ψυχοθεραπείας για την ΙΔΨ διαταραχή με πολλούς πάσχοντες εντός και εκτός Η.Β. Επιστρέφοντας στην Ελλάδα για οικογενειακούς λόγους, εργάστηκε ιδιωτικά στο γραφείο της στο Κεφαλάρι Κηφισιάς. Συνεργάστηκε με αγγλόφωνα Εκπαιδευτικά Ιδρύματα διδάσκοντας Προπτυχιακά και Μεταπτυχιακά Προγράμματα Ψυχολογίας και Ψυχοθεραπείας. Επιπλέον έχει σχεδιάσει και διδάξει δικά της εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα για επαγγελματίες ψυχικής υγείας και μη. Συνεχίζει να εκπαιδεύει και να παρέχει εποπτεία σε επαγγελματίες. Παραμένοντας ανήσυχο πνεύμα, εκπαιδεύτηκε σε Ενεργειακή Ψυχοθεραπεία. Η ευθύνη της προς τους θεραπευόμενους και η αγάπη της για το αντικείμενο την οδήγησαν να εκπαιδευτεί στην Κλινική Υπνοθεραπεία και στο NLP, ενώ είναι πλέον υποψήφια για διδακτορικό τίτλο. Είναι ιδρυτικό στέλεχος του Συλλόγου Κλινικών Υπνοθεραπευτών στην Ελλάδα (ΣΚΥΕ). Μοιράζει τον επαγγελματικό της χρόνο σε διαδικτυακές και κατ’ ιδίαν συνεδρίες στην Αθήνα και στην Πάτρα.

Tsitenidou Natasa is a Clinical Psychologist - Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist, licensed to practice. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of East London (UEL), England, in 2020, and subsequently pursued her postgraduate studies at the same university in the program entitled “MSc – Clinical and Community Psychology.” Her practical internship during her studies was completed at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki “Hippokration.” Her training continued at the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (HSCBP) in Thessaloniki, in the three-year adult program and later in the one-year program for children and adolescents. Additionally, she has participated in the educational program titled “Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Approaches (TF-CBT, CPT, DBT-PTSD, PE)” at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies (SCBS). Currently, she practices professionally in a private office and provides online psychotherapy sessions, following the Cognitive Behavioral approach. You can schedule your session immediately!

Vlaxakis Ioannis is a Psychiatrist practicing privately in Ampelokipoi since 2007. He is a graduate of the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace and has completed a 5-year specialization in Psychiatry at the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Thoracic Diseases of Athens "Sotiria". Additionally, he collaborates with the Psychiatric Clinic "Galini" and is a member of SOS Doctors, having conducted over a thousand home visits and managed cases spanning the entire spectrum of psychiatric pathology, many of which were acute and emergency situations. Finally, the doctor specializes in the treatment of conditions such as depression, dementia, and anxiety and is a member of the Athens Medical Association.

Kouta Viky is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Marousi. Upon completing her studies at the Faculty of Philosophy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, she studied Psychology at the University of Nicosia. She subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Child and Adolescent Mental Health at the University of Edinburgh and attended a specialized training seminar in Clinical Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis" at the First Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens. Additionally, she trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy at the Institute of Research and Therapy of Behavior and is currently undergoing further training in Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. She has professional experience working in various settings in Scotland and Greece, such as the Lothian Autistic Society and the Day Care Center for Individuals with Disabilities "Chloe," respectively, while also being a trainee Psychologist - Psychotherapist at the Institute of Research and Therapy of Behavior (IETHS). Finally, she specializes in personality disorders and emotional disorders.

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.

Zapantis Ioannis is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Chalandri. He is a graduate student in Clinical Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is training in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy. His approach is based on respect, empathy, and scientific evidence, aiming to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. He seeks to help individuals gain a deeper understanding of themselves, recognize thought and behavior patterns that cause difficulties, and develop more functional ways to manage daily life. He deals with issues related to mood, anxiety, interpersonal relationships, self-esteem, and the improvement of life quality and functionality. Simultaneously, he emphasizes a personalized approach, tailoring the therapeutic process to the needs and goals of each person. He aims for continuous development and the scientifically substantiated application of his knowledge, with the goal of providing meaningful support and empowerment to those who trust him.

Revekka Hatzisavva is a Psychiatrist who maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. She holds a degree from the Medical School of the University of Athens and specialized in the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Thoracic Diseases Hospital "Sotiria." Additionally, she has specialized in Systemic Family Therapy. Finally, with extensive experience in the field, the doctor aims for the prompt and effective treatment of various psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and psychotic disorders, using methods including psychotherapy through the biosynthesis technique.

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.

Panagiota Sampalou is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with extensive experience in individual psychotherapy for adults and young adults, maintaining a private practice in Cholargos. She has been active in the field since 2014, concurrently engaging in academic teaching and participating in Psychoanalytic and Psychotherapeutic programs. She holds a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She possesses a professional psychologist license valid throughout the country issued by the General Directorate of Public Health and Social Welfare. She teaches "Psychodynamic Models" and "Psychodynamic Developmental Theories" at the Greek Center for Training – Psychotherapy through Arts. She specializes in Relational Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy as well as classical Psychoanalytic thought and practice. She has participated as a speaker at conferences and workshops.

Dr. Plytas Nikolaos is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist maintaining a private practice in Neo Irakleio. He graduated in Medicine from the Medical School in Rome, Italy, and has received training in Systemic (family) Therapy at the Family Therapy Department of the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica. Through his extensive experience, Dr. Plytas effectively diagnoses and treats psychoses, bipolar mood disorders, and manic depression. Furthermore, in his private practice, he currently manages depression, anxiety, dementia, panic disorder, and various addictions using scientific and medical methods. In addition to the above, Dr. Plytas does not only handle individual cases; with his knowledge and experience in the field of Psychiatry, he is also capable of providing services such as couple therapy, assisting partners in addressing the various challenges they face.

Dr. Xaidemenos Aleksandros is a specialist Psychiatrist-Neurologist, PhD holder from the University of Athens, with expertise in Clinical Psychiatry, Psychopharmacology, Psychosomatic Medicine, cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy. He has served in Psychiatric clinics of major General Hospitals and in Specialized Psychiatric Hospitals. For 19 years, he was the Chief Coordinating Psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, where he also served as Chairman of the Scientific Council. He was a permanent member of the examination committee for the granting of Psychiatric specialty, based at the Aeginiteio University Psychiatric Hospital. He has an extensive scientific portfolio including publications in international and Greek journals, presentations at international and Greek conferences. Additionally, he is a scientific collaborator of the newspaper "Kathimerini" with numerous published articles. Finally, the physician accepts appointments and offers the possibility of home visits and online sessions via Skype, Viber, Messenger, Zoom, etc.