Health professionals for Depression in the Northern suburbs of Athens

Kontou Kelly is a Psychologist - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, with postgraduate studies in Mental Health from the MSc program at King’s College London. Additionally, she has significant experience as a Group Analyst and Family and Couple Therapist, providing treatment to patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. In adult and adolescent Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Kontou Kelly addresses issues such as anxiety disorders (panic attacks, agoraphobia), mood disorders, depression, dysthymia, eating disorders (bulimia, anorexia, obesity), work-related stress management, conflict resolution in the workplace, existential issues (loss, death anxiety, loneliness), lack of goals and direction, and difficulties in accepting sexual orientation. Moreover, she conducts group therapy sessions for adults and adolescents aimed at improving communication, interpersonal relationships, and assertiveness. Lastly, by offering family and couple therapies, the Psychologist assists in addressing problems within parental relationships as well as their relationships with their children, including situations involving divorce.

Η Γραβάνη Βάλια είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Φιλοθέη Αμπελοκήπων. Είναι απόφοιτος του Deree – The American University of Greece, όπου σπούδασε Ψυχολογία, και έχει εκπαιδευτεί στην Ψυχοδυναμική Προσέγγιση μέσω της Ελληνικής Εταιρίας Ομαδικής Ανάλυσης και Ψυχοθεραπείας.

Έχει επαγγελματική εμπειρία ως Ψυχολόγος σε Κέντρο Ειδικών Θεραπειών ενώ έχει πραγματοποιήσει την πρακτική της άσκηση σε Κέντρο Ημέρας του 6ου Τομέα Ψυχικής Υγείας Αττικής, αποκτώντας εμπειρία στον χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας και της ψυχοκοινωνικής υποστήριξης.

Στο πλαίσιο της επαγγελματικής της δραστηριότητας, ασχολείται με ζητήματα όπως η κατάθλιψη, το άγχος και το στρες, οι κρίσεις πανικού και οι φοβίες, οι διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις, οι ψυχοσωματικές εκδηλώσεις, η συναισθηματική υπερφαγία και οι εθισμοί. Ακολουθεί την Ψυχοδυναμική Ψυχοθεραπεία, προσεγγίζοντας τις δυσκολίες του κάθε ατόμου με στόχο την κατανόηση των βαθύτερων αιτιών τους, την ενίσχυση της αυτογνωσίας και την ανάπτυξη πιο λειτουργικών τρόπων διαχείρισης των συναισθημάτων και των διαπροσωπικών σχέσεων.

Έχει συμμετάσχει σε συνέδρια και εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα σχετικά με τη νευροψυχολογία, την ψυχολογική έρευνα, την ψυχαναλυτική θεωρία και πρακτική, την ψυχική υγεία της γυναίκας, καθώς και διαφορετικές ψυχοθεραπευτικές και αξιολογικές προσεγγίσεις.

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.

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.

Skafidas Spyros BSc, MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia. He holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Nicosia and a master's degree in Criminology from the same University. Additionally, he has attended a seminar on "Criminological Research: The Contribution of Psychology" at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and he currently participates in the seminar "Anxiety and Depression: Psychoeducation and Management" at the same institution. He completed his internship at the Counseling Station "Agia Skepi" in Cyprus and was part of the Psychosocial Care Team at the Armored Training Center (KETTH) Avlona. Moreover, he provided psychological counseling support on the Armed Forces SOS 24-hour hotline at the 414 Military Hospital of Special Diseases (SNEN) and has worked as a Psychologist at the KDAP MEA Prosvasis. Currently, he is a Psychologist at the Day Care and Day Care Center for People with Disabilities "Nikodimos Graikos" of the Foundation for the Care of Persons with Intellectual Disabilities or Down Syndrome "Maria Kokkori".

Fakiri Sevasti is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist with a private practice in Kifisia. She holds a recognized degree in psychology and has completed her postgraduate studies in London in the field of child psychology at the Institute of Education, University of London. Her dissertation, which was part of a European research project, focused on self-destructive tendencies during adolescence and the influence of the family system on their manifestation. She specialized in the systemic approach to individuals, couples, and families at the Human Relations Research Laboratory, earning the title of Systemic Psychotherapist. Concurrently, she specialized at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of Athens in collaboration with the Research University of Athens and the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research, focusing on behavioral therapy and enriching her therapeutic techniques for families with psychotic members. Currently, she is undergoing clinical specialization training in couple therapy at the Institute of Education and Research in Systemic Therapy "Logo Psychis." Finally, she has attended and participated in conferences as a speaker and coordinator and has developed written work for the medical website iatro.gr, as well as for journals concerning mental health.

Danai Lazarou is a Psychologist and an existential - systemic psychotherapist. She studied psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Child and Adolescent Psychology, as well as Health Psychology, earning two master's degrees from Leiden University in the Netherlands (MSc in Child and Adolescent Psychology, MSc in Health Psychology). She trained in Systemic Existential therapy by participating in the six-year training program at the Antistixi Institute. Concurrently, she has been trained in the diagnosis and remediation of learning difficulties, having attended numerous seminars and educational programs at the University of the Aegean and the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she specialized in the methodology for remediating students with dyslexia developed by Asimina Mavroeidi and in the illustrative method of Dora Mavrommati. Since 2009, she has collaborated with private centers and mental health organizations, working therapeutically with children, adolescents, adults, and families, while maintaining a private practice since 2020. From 2011 to 2024, she served as a School Psychologist at the Psychiko College Elementary School, with primary responsibilities including counseling parents, educators, and children, implementing prevention programs in classrooms, as well as assessing school readiness and identifying learning or emotional difficulties. In the past, she has collaborated with KEDASY of Athens B', the Athens Naval Hospital as a scientific associate, the Hellenic Center for Mental Hygiene and Research, and the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica. She has participated in research programs, conferences, and seminars, continuously enriching her knowledge.

The extensive and broad clinical psychiatric experience has provided him with the opportunity to manage anxiety, emotional, psychotic disorders, alcoholism, and other conditions at his successfully maintained clinic for 35 years in Athens. Besides the diagnostic and therapeutic management of psychotic and emotional disorders (such as unipolar depression, bipolar disorder, etc.), he has focused on alcoholism, particularly in conducting aversion tests to alcohol. Additionally, he has been involved in the training of clinical psychologists and social workers.

Marianna Xarlauti is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Vrilissia since 2011. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and a postgraduate specialization in Organizational and Economic Psychology from the same institution. She was trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy at the Institute of Research and Therapy of Behavior. In 2018, she completed her training in Schema Therapy. She is a certified Therapist, Supervisor, and Trainer according to the criteria of the International Society of Schema Therapy (ISST). She is engaged in ongoing education and professional development in Schema Therapy. She has acquired clinical experience working in various settings, such as the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Attica Sismanoglio, the Social Service of the Municipality of Vrilissia, and the Institute of Mental and Sexual Health. She is actively involved in volunteering and has provided voluntary services at the Life Center, where she participated in the Population Awareness Group for HIV. Finally, she has attended numerous seminars and conferences on topics related to mental health and business organization. She is a member of the Association of Greek Psychologists.

Papadopoulou Georgia (Tzia) is a Psychologist - Integrative Psychotherapist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of East London and holder of a master's degree in Counseling & Psychotherapy. She applies the integrative psychotherapy model, tailoring the approach to the unique needs of each individual client. She combines techniques from cognitive, psychodynamic, and person-centered approaches with the aim of improving emotional well-being, personal development, and self-understanding. She provides individual sessions for adults and young people over 18 years old who wish to address issues such as anxiety, stress, emotional difficulties, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, losses, or identity crises.

She does not undertake a diagnostic role but focuses on psychological support and counseling, offering a safe, confidential, and warm environment for the client. She deeply believes in the power of acceptance, authenticity, and internal change. Her goal is to provide high-quality and scientifically supported psychological care, with humanity, empathy, and respect for each person's needs.

“I am not here to tell the client what to do. I am here to explore together what is happening within and around them, and to find, step by step, the path that fits their unique personality.”

Marina Cresta is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist, holding a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy. She completed her clinical training at Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, and the 6th Municipal Medical Center of Athens, gaining experience in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges and chronic health conditions.

She has been trained in group therapy by the Hellenic Society for Existential Psychology and actively participates in seminars and conferences across various therapeutic approaches. Her work integrates psychodynamic thinking with an existential and person-centered stance, always tailoring the therapeutic process to each individual's unique needs.

In her sessions, she emphasizes building a relationship based on trust and authentic connection, providing a safe space where individuals feel heard, understood, and accepted.

Η Γουρζουλίδου Αγάπη, BSc, MSc, είναι Ψυχολόγος – Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και πραγματοποιεί διαδικτυακές συνεδρίες. Είναι απόφοιτος του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης (BSc) και κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου (MSc) στην Κλινική και Κοινοτική Ψυχολογία από το University of East London σε συνεργασία με το Αριστοτέλειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλονίκης. Επιπλέον, διαθέτει εξειδίκευση στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT). Πραγματοποίησε την πρακτική της άσκηση στην Ελληνική Εταιρεία Νόσου Alzheimer και Συγγενών Διαταραχών Έχει επίσης εκπαιδευτεί στη Θετική Ψυχολογία μέσω του Open People University και στην αντιμετώπιση της κατάθλιψης μέσω του Ελληνικού Ανοικτού Πανεπιστημίου. Στην επαγγελματική της πορεία έχει εργαστεί ως ψυχολόγος και ψυχοθεραπεύτρια, πραγματοποιώντας διαδικτυακές και δια ζώσης ατομικές συνεδρίες. Έχει συνεργαστεί με κέντρα όπως το Epi Paidos Center for Special Therapies και δομές ΚΔΑΠ ΑμεΑ, καθώς και με κοινωνικούς συνεταιρισμούς, όπως η Cooperativa Margherita στην Ιταλία. Επιπλέον, έχει αναλάβει υπεύθυνα καθήκοντα σε μη κερδοσκοπικούς οργανισμούς (Μ.Κ.Ο.), όπως η ΜΕΤΑδραση, ενώ στο παρελθόν διατηρούσε και τον δικό της χώρο ψυχικής υγείας. Παράλληλα, έχει συμμετάσχει σε εθελοντικές δράσεις στο πλαίσιο ευρωπαϊκών προγραμμάτων. Διαθέτει εμπειρία στην εφαρμογή γνωσιακών και συμπεριφορικών θεραπευτικών προσεγγίσεων, στην ψυχοεκπαίδευση, στη συμβουλευτική γονέων, καθώς και στη διαχείριση συναισθηματικών και συμπεριφορικών δυσκολιών σε παιδιά, εφήβους και ενήλικες. Οι ακαδημαϊκές της εργασίες, όπως η πτυχιακή της μελέτη για τις επιδράσεις της μουσικής στο άγχος κατάστασης και η μεταπτυχιακή της έρευνα για την επίδραση του άγχους στη σεξουαλική συμπεριφορά, αναδεικνύουν την επιστημονική της προσέγγιση και την ικανότητά της να συνδυάζει την έρευνα με την πρακτική εφαρμογή. Στόχος της είναι να παρέχει ένα ασφαλές και υποστηρικτικό περιβάλλον, όπου οι άνθρωποι μπορούν να μιλήσουν ανοιχτά για τα ζητήματα που τους απασχολούν και να αναπτύξουν δεξιότητες που θα τους οδηγήσουν σε μια πιο υγιή και ισορροπημένη ζωή.

Kostoglou Dimitra is a Psychologist and maintains her private practice in Agia Paraskevi. She holds a BSc in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and an MSc in Neuropsychology from the University of Maastricht in the Netherlands. She has specialized in Existential Psychotherapy and has served as a Psychologist in various public and private organizations. She is certified by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP).