Health professionals for Depression in Athens

Pleuri Maria Msc Kai Synergates is a Psychologist - MSc Clinical Neuropsychologist with a professional license and clinical experience since 2014. She has maintained a private practice for several years in Heraklion, Crete, as well as in Athens. Her postgraduate specialization took place at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in collaboration with the Montreal Neurological Institute of McGill University. The Psychologist holds a certified 4th specialization in the Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Model, which she acquired at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies, along with two additional years of training for treating children and adolescents. Furthermore, she has attended the annual training "Basic Principles for Counseling and Psychotherapy with LGBTQ+ individuals" from Orlando LGBT+ and has collaborated with the Hellenic Mediterranean University for the educational training program on sexual health. She has completed her training in the Schema Therapy model from the Hellenic Society of Schema Therapy and is currently undergoing certification.

The specialist collaborates with Nektarios Meimets, Psychologist MSc and Trainee Psychotherapist, as well as with Georgia Koltsida, Psychologist with a professional license, who is mainly engaged professionally in the administration and interpretation of psychometric tests, as well as in psychotherapeutic intervention with children, adolescents, and adults.

Sakaloglou Nikos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains private practices in Keratsini and Ilisia. He studied Psychology (BA in Psychology) at the European University Cyprus and completed the four-year clinical training program in Psychotherapy at the Institute of Training and Research in Systemic Psychotherapy "Logos Psychis". He holds a professional license to practice as a Psychologist and is a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society. He has collaborated with various mental health structures, both private and public. In recent years, he has been working privately as a psychologist – psychotherapist, providing services to adults, couples, families, and therapeutic groups.

Christina Polyzou is a psychologist and psychotherapist, offering evidence-based psychological support at her private practice in Ampelokipoi, Athens and online. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in scientific research and tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Greenwich, and two Master’s degrees from King’s College London: one in Health Psychology and another in Developmental Psychology & Psychopathology. Her studies in Health Psychology provided her with an in-depth understanding of the intricate connection between mental and physical health, as well as the psychological impact of illness and the process of adapting to life’s challenges. In parallel, her work in Developmental Psychology focused on behavioural genetics, exploring the interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental influences in shaping psychological wellbeing. She also received specialised training in perinatal mental health, gaining a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological transitions that occur during pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Her clinical experience includes work at the South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, one of the UK’s leading mental health institutions. There, she gained hands-on experience in the application and assessment of evidence-based therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT). She has also completed training in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR), a scientifically validated approach for processing traumatic experiences. A key aspect of her ongoing professional development is her advanced training in Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) at the Compassionate Mind Foundation, under the direct guidance of Paul Gilbert and other leading experts who have developed adaptations of CFT for specific clinical difficulties.

Each person brings their own story, challenges, and goals to therapy. Some seek relief from anxiety, stress, or low mood; others may be grappling with intense self-criticism, low self-worth, or difficulty connecting in relationships. Many are simply looking to understand themselves better and to live a life that feels more authentic and meaningful. Therapy offers a space to explore these experiences safely and constructively, working together to foster change that lasts.

At the heart of her practice is the belief that therapy is built on trust, empathy, and respect for the individuality of each person. There are no ready-made solutions or fixed pathways—each therapeutic journey is shaped around the person’s unique needs, values, and aspirations.

All sessions are conducted within a framework of confidentiality and professional integrity, following the highest standards of ethical psychological practice.

Tsakiris Panagiotis holds a BSc in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and an M.A. in Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy from the University of East London. He is currently training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Institute of Psychotherapy for Professional & Personal Development (IPSEPA). He has completed the postgraduate seminar in Cognitive Counseling at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies, as well as the postgraduate seminar in Cognitive Counseling for children and adolescents at the same institution. Additionally, he has attended numerous seminars, including Introduction to Clinical Psychopathology from the Open University and the University of Michigan course "Understanding Psychosis." He has been practicing privately as a Psychologist since 2024, with experience in managing anxiety, self-confidence and self-esteem issues, as well as interpersonal relationship matters. Previously, he has collaborated with the Carpe Diem Psychotherapy Center and, within the scope of his internship, with the Roots Wellness Center Psychotherapy Center and the Community Service of the Municipality of Agios Dimitrios.

Vasileiadou Despoina is a Psychologist - Trained Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She studied at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She completed her thesis on issues of occupational burnout under the supervision of distinguished professors. She specializes in Gestalt psychotherapy, a holistic and human-centered approach to psychotherapy. As part of her lifelong learning, she attends educational seminars and lectures on topics concerning society and the role of psychotherapy within it. She participates as a group coordinator in caregiver support groups for cancer patients and provides voluntary work in the online program "E-therapy," which aims at crisis intervention. For personal development, she considers it essential to regularly engage in supervision (both individual and group) and personal therapy (individual and group).

Maria Vlachaki, MSc, is a Psychologist, Cyberpsychologist, and Psychotherapist, currently operating a private practice in Alimos, Athens.She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and a Master's degree in Cyberpsychology from the same institution.She has specialized in Systemic and Family Therapy through studies at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations (Charis Katakis, 2022–2023) and the University Mental Health Research Institute (UMHRI). She is also attending the annual program “Therapeutic Approaches to Addictions” at the 18 ANO Addiction Rehabilitation Center.Her professional experience includes providing individual psychotherapy sessions since September 2023, as well as collaborations with the Psychiatric Clinic of Attikon University General Hospital (volunteer work), the Evaluation Committee for the Ministry of Health’s “Personal Assistant for People with Disabilities” program (June–July 2023), and the “ARGO” Association for Children with Special Needs. Since 2024, she has been working with the Municipal Health Clinics of Nea Smyrni and the P. Sakellaropoulos Association for Social Psychiatry.She is trained in the administration of psychometric tools such as the MMPI-1, Raven's Progressive Matrices, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), MoCA, and the Geriatric Depression Scale.Maria actively participates in numerous scientific conferences, symposia, and workshops related to psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health, and technology. Notably, she has attended the Psychotherapy Conferences of the Hellenic Psychiatric Association, the Panhellenic Conference on Counseling Psychology, events at Attikon Hospital, and seminars by the Hellenic Psychological Society, as well as initiatives promoting community mental health awareness.As a speaker, she presented her research titled “Netflix and binge watching: A qualitative exploration of the subjective viewing experience” at Panteion University (April 9, 2024). She has also participated in a women’s empowerment and breast cancer awareness event at the Kallithea Municipal Library (October 2024), and in a public seminar on cyberbullying organized by the Municipality of Rentis/Moschato (November 2024).

Dimitra Nakou is a Psychologist, graduate of Panteion University, with a Master’s specialization in Forensic and Psychiatric Forensic Science from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has also completed further training in School Psychology and a three-year program in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica.She has extensive professional experience in both public and private mental health, education, and social support settings. Dimitra has worked as a psychologist in Vocational High Schools (EPAL) in Agrinio and at the Second Chance School of Athens, providing individual and group counseling to adolescents and adult learners, focusing on issues such as anxiety, self-esteem, school adaptation, and interpersonal relationships.She has also collaborated with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum at the Elefsina Accommodation Facility, offering psychological assessment and support to vulnerable populations and victims of violence, in cooperation with European agencies such as the EUAA. In addition, she has worked in Special Therapy Centers and educational institutions, supporting children and adolescents with learning, behavioral, and emotional difficulties (ASD, ADHD, anxiety disorders).In her private practice in Athens, she provides psychological support and psychotherapy to adolescents and adults, based on a psychodynamic approach. Her work focuses on the therapeutic relationship, the exploration of inner conflicts, and the enhancement of emotional resilience within a safe and empathetic therapeutic environment.

Apostolopoulou Pinelopi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in Gkyzi. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Derby in England and an MSc (Hons) in Child Psychology from the University of Central Lancaster. She trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Children, Adolescents, and Adults at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling, and has attended numerous continuing education seminars related to her scientific field. She works in Speech Therapy centers, provides parallel support, and in her private practice, she manages a wide range of cases covering the entire spectrum of her specialty, always focusing on the optimal service of the individualized needs of each person she undertakes.

En Dynamei – The organization that embraces every aspect of mental health. En Dynamei – Promotion of Mental Health and Education was established to provide comprehensive care to the individual, with a central focus on psychotherapy and counseling. Its interdisciplinary team – psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, and sociologist – supports each person with consistency and care, covering the full range of needs, from individual and group psychotherapy and counseling for individuals, couples, and families, to social support and psychiatric monitoring. Depending on the request of each individual, the appropriate and specially trained professional from our team will take charge to provide targeted, scientifically valid, and meaningful support. The team stands by children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families in need of psychotherapy, counseling, or support during periods of intense stress, depression, psychosomatic issues, or more complex difficulties. Their goal is to offer not only treatment but also a safe and humane environment where one can speak, be heard, and find practical solutions with the help of the appropriate specialist. At En Dynamei, you will find everything you need for your mental health – with a team that listens, understands, and supports you every step of the way.

Dimitra Sigala is a Psychologist, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete, a final-year student of the postgraduate program “Forensic Psychiatry” at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and holds a professional license to practice psychology.

She has completed the annual postgraduate seminars in Clinical Psychopathology and Clinical Skills in Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis," as well as training in the administration of the Structured Clinical Interview SCID I, organized by the First Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens.

In parallel with her studies, she has attended part of the training program in Cognitive Psychotherapies offered by the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Psychotherapies, and she is a trainee Systemic Psychotherapist. Additionally, she has been trained in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy through the Eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model in Staffordshire, England.

Her professional experience has enabled her to work in a clinical setting managing suicidal thoughts and self-destructive behaviors, as well as providing psychotherapy and counseling to adults.

She has gained clinical experience working as a volunteer psychologist in social therapeutic programs within psychiatric facilities, such as the Day Hospital Center of the Research University Mental Health Institute (E.P.I.PSY.), Rethymno Hospital, among others.

Η Χριστοδούλου Ελευθερία Βαρβάρα είναι Ψυχολόγος, απόφοιτη του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών,με άδεια άσκησης επαγγέλματος. Αυτή την περίοδο συνεχίζει την εκπαίδευσή της στη Γνωσιακή-Συμπεριφοριστική Ψυχοθεραπεία (CBT) στο Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο, με στόχο τη συνεχή επιστημονική και θεραπευτική της εξέλιξη.Κατά τη διάρκεια της επαγγελματικής και εκπαιδευτικής της πορείας, έχει αποκτήσει εμπειρία μέσα από τη συμμετοχή της σε κλινικά και υποστηρικτικά πλαίσια ψυχικής υγείας. Ως εκπαιδευόμενη ψυχολόγος στο Κέντρο Ημέρας ΒΑΒΕΛ, συμμετείχε στην παρακολούθηση συνεδριών, στη συνεργασία με διεπιστημονική ομάδα ψυχικής υγείας και στον σχεδιασμό θεραπευτικών παρεμβάσεων, προσαρμοσμένων στις ανάγκες κάθε ωφελούμενου. Παράλληλα, μέσω ατομικής εποπτείας και βιωματικής εκπαίδευσης, ανέπτυξε ουσιαστικές δεξιότητες επικοινωνίας, ενσυναίσθησης και θεραπευτικής σχέσης.Έχει επίσης συμμετάσχει σε εθελοντικές δράσεις στο Ελληνικό Κέντρο Ψυχικής Υγιεινής και Ερευνών και στο Κέντρο Ημέρας ΒΑΒΕΛ, διευρύνοντας την εμπειρία της στην υποστήριξη ανθρώπων με διαφορετικές ανάγκες και ψυχικές δυσκολίες.

Παράλληλα, έχει παρακολουθήσει επιμορφωτικά προγράμματα και σεμινάρια στους τομείς της Κλινικής Ψυχοπαθολογίας, της Εγκληματολογίας, της Παιδοψυχολογίας και των ψυχολογικών προσεγγίσεων του παιδικού σχεδίου, με στόχο τη σφαιρική κατανόηση της ανθρώπινης συμπεριφοράς και της ψυχικής λειτουργίας.Η ειδικός παρέχει online συνεδρίες σε ενήλικες, με έμφαση στη διαχείριση άγχους και στρες, στις δυσκολίες διάθεσης, στην ενίσχυση της αυτοεκτίμησης, στις διαπροσωπικές δυσκολίες και στην προσωπική ανάπτυξη. Στόχος της είναι η δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς, υποστηρικτικού και χωρίς κριτική θεραπευτικού πλαισίου, όπου κάθε άνθρωπος μπορεί να εκφραστεί ελεύθερα και να επεξεργαστεί τις προσωπικές του δυσκολίες με σεβασμό στον δικό του ρυθμό και στις προσωπικές του ανάγκες.

Antonis Mougias is a Psychiatrist, PhD holder from the University of Ioannina, and maintains a private practice in Kolonaki. He has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Family Therapy of Psychosis. For years, he has been monitoring and treating individuals with obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety, depression, and other psychological issues. Additionally, he is the Scientific Director of the Memory Center of the Psychogeriatric Society "Nestor" and has served as the Scientific Director of the Alzheimer Center of the same society for 7 years. As the Scientific Director of the Psychogeriatric Society "Nestor," he has developed and is responsible for numerous interventions aimed at patients with dementia and their caregivers. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Society of Gerontology and Geriatrics. He also prescribes medications and issues psychiatric condition certificates. Finally, the doctor has extensive clinical experience, as well as numerous scientific publications.

Samara Konstantina is a Psychologist with a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Derby in the United Kingdom and a Master's degree in "Child Development and Child Psychology" from the University of Central Lancashire. She has received further training in Psychotherapy of Social and Emotional Development in the management of Autism Spectrum Disorders of Moderate and High Functioning, and is currently undergoing training in the three-year specialization program in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) offered by the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (HSCBP), a program certified by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). It is noteworthy that she has worked as a Child Psychologist in public schools and Reintegration Centers, as well as serving as a Coordinator in Psychotherapeutic groups for children and adolescents. Alongside her private practice, she is a Scientific Collaborator with various private centers of Special therapies. Ms. Samara, through her valuable experience and collaboration with Psychiatrists, addresses a wide range of cases providing individualized Mental Health services.

Kryoni Zoi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist licensed to practice and maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She holds a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) as well as a degree from the Department of Primary Education at the University of Patras. She specializes in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy through the four-year specialization program of the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior (IRTB). She has worked as a psychologist in the Neurology Clinic of the University Hospital "Attikon" and in the outpatient clinics of the 1st Neurology Clinic of NKUA at Aeginiteio Hospital. Concurrently, since 2018, she has been employed in public primary education. In her private practice, she provides individual psychotherapy (adults, adolescents, children) as well as couples therapy. Sessions are conducted both in person and remotely (online). 

Chrysa Kritikou is a clinical psychologist and trainee psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Koukaki. Her academic journey began with undergraduate studies in the Department of Education Sciences and Early Childhood Education at the University of Patras. During her studies as a kindergarten teacher, she developed a strong interest in psychology, which led her to decide to pursue a new cycle of studies abroad.

After completing her first degree, she undertook a second undergraduate degree in the Department of Psychology at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Subsequently, she completed postgraduate studies in Child and Adolescent Clinical Psychology at the same university. She then proceeded with the recognition of her degrees by DOATAP and obtained a license to practice as a psychologist.

With a consistent focus on continuous scientific advancement, she actively participates in seminars and scientific conferences, continuously enriching her knowledge and clinical skills. Within the framework of her specialization, she has attended, among others, the Clinical Psychopathology seminar "Panagiotis Oulis," which substantially contributes to her clinical practice.

She is currently attending the four-year Clinical Specialization Program in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Institute for Education and Research "Logo Psychis," which is based on the SANE (System Attachment Narrative Encephalon) model, a comprehensive approach that combines systemic theory with emotional attachment theory.