Health professionals for Depression in Prefecture of Thessaloniki

Pagkoutsou Konstantina M.Sc. is a Psychologist and Specialist Cognitive Analytic Psychotherapist, licensed to practice by the Region of Central Macedonia, with postgraduate specialization in Counseling Psychology. She studied in the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed postgraduate studies in "Counseling Psychology and Counseling in Special Education, Education, and Health" at the University of Thessaly, while currently specializing in Cognitive Analytic Therapy (CAT). She has completed over 1,500 hours of practical training at the General Hospital of Thessaloniki "Hippocrates," the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, and the Center for Addiction Prevention and Psychosocial Health Promotion "PYXIDA." Additionally, she has volunteered at numerous mental health organizations, such as The Smile of the Child, the Women’s Shelter, and the Society for the Protection of Minors in Thessaloniki. In recent years, she has worked as a counselor-psychologist at the Counseling Service of the University of Thessaly and as an auxiliary teaching and research staff member at the University of Macedonia. Moreover, she has worked in Special Therapy Centers, providing psychological support sessions to children and adolescents, as well as parent counseling sessions. She has attended numerous trainings and seminars on adult and child-adolescent mental health and currently offers online and in-person counseling and psychological support sessions.

Η Σοφία Τσακίρη MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος, απόφοιτη του προγράμματος Bachelor στην Ψυχολογία και Συμβουλευτική του Mediterranean College, σε συνεργασία με το Teesside University (Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο), από το οποίο αποφοίτησε το 2011. Το 2012 ολοκλήρωσε τις μεταπτυχιακές της σπουδές στην Ψυχολογία στο University of Plymouth (Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο). Σήμερα εκπαιδεύεται στη Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεία και βρίσκεται στο 4ο έτος της τετραετούς εκπαίδευσής της. Εργάζεται ιδιωτικά, παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης και συμβουλευτικής, ενώ έχει προσφέρει εθελοντικά τις υπηρεσίες της στο «Χαμόγελο του Παιδιού», αποκτώντας πολύτιμη εμπειρία στην υποστήριξη παιδιών και οικογενειών. Στο θεραπευτικό της έργο προσεγγίζει κάθε άνθρωπο ως τον μοναδικό ειδικό της δικής του εμπειρίας, αναγνωρίζοντας ότι οι προσωπικές ιστορίες, οι σχέσεις και τα νοήματα που συνδιαμορφώνονται επηρεάζουν τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αντιλαμβανόμαστε τον εαυτό μας και τον κόσμο γύρω μας. Μέσα από μια διαδικασία διαλόγου και συνδιαμόρφωσης νοήματος, υποστηρίζει τους ανθρώπους στην ανάδειξη των προσωπικών τους πόρων και δυνατοτήτων, στην εξερεύνηση νέων προοπτικών και στη διαμόρφωση αλλαγών που ανταποκρίνονται στις ανάγκες, τις αξίες και τις επιθυμίες τους. Βασική της προτεραιότητα αποτελεί η δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς, συνεργατικού και υποστηρικτικού θεραπευτικού πλαισίου, μέσα στο οποίο κάθε άνθρωπος μπορεί να νιώσει ότι ακούγεται, γίνεται κατανοητός και αντιμετωπίζεται με σεβασμό. Παράλληλα, έχει παρακολουθήσει σεμινάρια όπως η Συμβουλευτική Γονέων, η Συστημική Σεξολογία και Σεξοθεραπεία Ζευγαριών και Ατόμων, Άγχος και Κρίσεις Πανικού, Ψυχοπαθολογία κ.α.

Antigoni Xristaki is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Thessaloniki. She studied Psychology at City College-University of Sheffield and continued with specialized professional postgraduate training at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling, obtaining a Diploma of Advanced Practice in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy. Additionally, she has been trained in Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the Center for Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has experience and has worked as a Psychologist at the YMCA.

Dalla Danai is a Psychologist and Clinical Hypnotherapist and maintains a private practice. She is a licensed psychologist and a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society.

She completed her studies at the Department of Psychology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has been trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Clinical Hypnotherapy, an integrated, synthetic, and evidence-based model in Clinical Hypnotherapy, Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), Mindfulness, and Ericksonian Hypnotherapy at the Center for Psychotherapy and Modern Applied Psychology (Konstantinos Valavanis). She has attended postgraduate and continuing education seminars in Group-Analytical Psychotherapy, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-5, Positive Psychology, Guided Imagery, Management of Parental Separation and Divorce, and the practical application of Cognitive-Behavioral Clinical Hypnotherapy in the therapeutic approach to numerous specific issues, among others. Currently, she is attending a continuing education seminar at the University of Athens on Cinema Therapy and a specialized training seminar at the University of Athens on Narrative, Dialogical, and Relational Approaches in Postmodernity in counseling and psychotherapy. She has voluntarily provided psychological services in the Psychosocial Care Team of the "Tunnel of Oppression" of the Non-Profit Organization "EA-Information, Understanding, Acceptance" and completed her practical training at the Afternoon Counseling Station of the KETHEA Diavasi.

Papadopoulou Nansy is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, as well as a degree in Philology from the same institution. The combination of these two fields aids her in adopting a human-centered approach and a deeper understanding of individuals. During her studies, she attended seminars on Psychoanalytic Thought and Practice at the Psychoanalytic Society of Northern Greece and began her training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research (EESYS). She completed her practical training at the Society of Spastic Children of Northern Greece, which provided her with the opportunity to engage with vulnerable social groups. She continues to pursue professional development through training, recognizing that personality is a complex and dynamic process. Therapeutically, she works with adults and adolescents, applying her knowledge according to each individual's needs and goals, with the aim of promoting mental health and the well-being of her clients. Since 2023, she has been conducting psychotherapy sessions with adults and adolescents based on the cognitive behavioral approach and addresses issues related to: anger management, low self-esteem, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety disorders, psychological empowerment, personality disorders, and self-awareness. It is her personal belief that psychotherapy is a fascinating journey through which an individual gains awareness of themselves and their potential. Her goal is to be present in each person's personal journey with authenticity and acceptance.

Christina Holt is a Greek-American psychologist with a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology from the University of Sheffield and a BA in Psychology from Temple University. She was born in Pennsylvania, USA, and currently resides in Thessaloniki.

For the past ten years, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, supporting individuals with diverse needs, including learning and developmental differences, as well as emotional regulation challenges.

She is currently gaining expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to further enhance the practical tools she provides to her clients. Her approach combines scientific knowledge with empathy, offering strategies to cultivate self-awareness, psychological resilience, and emotional balance.

She has participated in numerous conferences and specialized seminars on ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorders, bullying, inclusive education, and developmental and neurodevelopmental disorders.

Her academic research includes studies on the impact of childhood experiences on adult interpersonal relationships and the use of music and dance therapy in schizophrenia.

Focused on empowering individuals, Christina bridges psychological theory with practical application, providing knowledge and tools that support self-awareness, psychological resilience, and a balanced, meaningful life.

 Languages: English and Greek (native)

Kontogiannatou Katerina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist working online. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (AUTH). Her training as a Psychotherapist focuses on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy from the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research, Macedonia Branch (E.E.E.S.P.M). She also holds a Master's Degree in Educational Sciences (MEd) and has been trained and certified as a Career Counseling Advisor by Computer Academy for the administration of the ARISTON TEST. Additionally, she has completed training related to dementia by the Alzheimer Hellas organization, as well as school psychology at the University of Patras. She completed her internship at the Down Syndrome Association and has volunteered in various organizations (such as the Society for Individuals with Cerebral Palsy of Northern Greece (ESVE), the Hellenic Society of Alzheimer’s Disease & Related Disorders, The Smile of the Child, etc.). In the past, she collaborated with a child psychiatrist to address children's symptoms through therapeutic interventions involving play, psychoeducation, and creative activities on both individual and group levels. She has also worked as a Psychologist at the Directorate of Social Protection and Public Health of the Municipality of Thessaloniki. Since 2013, she has served as a coordinator of Parenting Schools and as an external collaborator at a nursery and a secondary education tutoring center, conducting counseling, prevention programs, and experiential workshops with both parents and students. Currently, she also works as a scientific collaborator for the websites “e-psychology” and “E-thermaikos,” focusing on writing articles related to psychological topics.

Gkelis Mixalis is a psychologist, holding a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Sheffield, with specialization in Person-Centered Psychotherapy through the experiential program "Roots" at the ICPS College in Athens. He is a certified therapist by the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) and holds the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP). He has been residing and working in Thessaloniki since 2017, where he practices psychotherapy in person or online, with extensive experience as a psychologist in clinical settings, in the fields of refugee support and child protection. Alongside his professional practice, he continuously expands his knowledge and enhances his personal skills by participating in personal supervision and therapy.

Konstantina Papapanou is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist, licensed under number 160044/918. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a Master's Diploma from the Medical School of Athens entitled "Science of Stress and Health Promotion." She completed her clinical training at the Specialized Adolescent Medicine Center, UNESCO Chair of Adolescent Health and Medicine, at the "Agia Sofia" Children's Hospital. Subsequently, she began training in the four-year Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling program conducted by the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy. Systemic psychotherapy views the individual as part of a wider system rather than in isolation. After all, a puzzle is composed of many pieces, not just one. It focuses on the individual's relationships, the way they interact with their environment, and how these relationships affect their thoughts and feelings. Additionally, she has worked in mental health facilities, on the psychological support helpline 10306, and in day centers. She collaborates with specialized therapy centers and provides psychotherapeutic care to adults. She is here to jointly begin a journey towards self-discovery.

Moysidou Stefania is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who has maintained a private practice in Thessaloniki since 2016. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a postgraduate degree in International Public Administration from the University of Macedonia. She has completed a three-year training program in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy certified by the Hellenic Society for Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy and has been trained in LEAP psychotherapy (Practitioner I course) at the LEAP Institute. Additionally, she has undertaken further training in School Psychology at the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning of the University of the Aegean and has been trained in the use of the MMPI-2 psychometric tool. She has worked as a Psychologist at the Directorate of Aliens and Border Protection of the Hellenic Police and at the National Public Health Organization (EODY, formerly KEELPNO) of the Ministry of Health, while also providing psychotherapy and group counseling services to football and handball academies. Moreover, she completed her internship and volunteered at major hospitals in Thessaloniki. Finally, Ms. Moysidou has participated as a speaker at numerous conferences and forums, as well as in seminars and workshops, and has a significant number of publications and articles to her name.

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.

Η Καρακόλη Σίσσυ είναι Ψυχολόγος – Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια Συνθετικής Προσέγγισης και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Θεσσαλονίκη. Είναι απόφοιτη Ψυχολογίας του University of East London και έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική και Ψυχοθεραπεία, καθώς και στη Θεραπεία Ζεύγους στο E.I.C.P. Η εκπαίδευση και η εποπτεία αποτελούν σταθερό μέρος της επαγγελματικής της πορείας, καθώς θεωρεί ότι κάθε θεραπευτής χρειάζεται να εξελίσσεται διαρκώς, όπως ακριβώς και οι άνθρωποι που τον εμπιστεύονται. Παράλληλα, σχεδιάζει και συντονίζει ομάδες ψυχοεκπαίδευσης, ομάδες προσωπικής ανάπτυξης και βιωματικά εργαστήρια για ενήλικες, καθώς πιστεύει στη δύναμη της ομάδας να δημιουργεί σύνδεση, μοίρασμα και νέες εμπειρίες που μπορούν να λειτουργήσουν θεραπευτικά. Έχει εργαστεί ως εμψυχώτρια ομάδων στη Θεραπευτική Κοινότητα Απεξάρτησης Κρατουμένων του Καταστήματος Κράτησης Διαβατών. Η εμπειρία αυτή της υπενθύμισε, με τον πιο ουσιαστικό τρόπο, ότι κανένας άνθρωπος δεν είναι το παρελθόν του και ότι η αλλαγή έρχεται όταν υπάρχει ένας ασφαλής χώρος, μια σχέση εμπιστοσύνης και η διάθεση να κοιτάξει κανείς τον εαυτό του με ειλικρίνεια.

Στη θεραπευτική της δουλειά την ενδιαφέρει να αναζητά μαζί με τον θεραπευόμενο όχι μόνο το τι δυσκολεύει τη ζωή του, αλλά και το γιατί. Το άγχος, οι δυσκολίες στις σχέσεις, η χαμηλή αυτοεκτίμηση, η δυσκολία να εμπιστευτεί τους άλλους ή η αίσθηση ότι δεν είναι αρκετός σπάνια εμφανίζονται χωρίς λόγο. Συνήθως αποτελούν τον τρόπο με τον οποίο η προσωπική μας ιστορία συνεχίζει να μιλά, μέχρι να βρεθεί ένας χώρος όπου θα μπορέσει να ειπωθεί και να ακουστεί. Πιστεύει ότι όταν κάποιος κατανοήσει τον τρόπο με τον οποίο έμαθε να σχετίζεται με τον εαυτό του και με τους άλλους, αποκτά μεγαλύτερη ελευθερία να επιλέξει διαφορετικούς τρόπους σκέψης, έκφρασης και σχέσης. Η αλλαγή δεν προκύπτει από την πίεση να γίνουμε κάποιος άλλος, αλλά από τη βαθύτερη κατανόηση του εαυτού μας. Για την ίδια, η θεραπευτική σχέση αποτελεί τη βάση κάθε θεραπευτικής διαδικασίας. Γι' αυτό φροντίζει να δημιουργεί έναν χώρο όπου ο θεραπευόμενος μπορεί να μιλήσει ελεύθερα, χωρίς φόβο ότι θα κριθεί ή ότι θα πρέπει να αποδείξει κάτι. Έναν χώρο όπου υπάρχει χρόνος να ακουστεί η ιστορία του, να κατανοήσουν μαζί όσα τον δυσκολεύουν και να ανακαλύψει, με τον δικό του ρυθμό, νέους τρόπους να σχετίζεται με τον εαυτό του, τους ανθρώπους και τη ζωή.

Η Κουκουρίκη Χριστίνα είναι Ψυχολόγος και Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο κέντρο της Θεσσαλονίκης, προσφέροντας υπηρεσίες ατομικής, ζεύγους και οικογενειακής ψυχοθεραπείας και συμβουλευτικής. Είναι πτυχιούχος Ψυχολογίας από το Αριστοτέλειο Πανεπιστήμιο Θεσσαλονίκης με μεταπτυχιακό στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αιγαίου με θέμα Κοινωνική Πολιτική και Πολιτισμικές Διαστάσεις και εξειδίκευση στη Συμβουλευτική και τον Προσανατολισμό (ΑΣΠΑΙΤΕ). Διαθέτει πρόσθετη επιμόρφωση στην Συμβουλευτική Σταδιοδρομίας και στην Εκπαίδευση Ενηλίκων και είναι πιστοποιημένη Εκπαιδεύτρια Ενηλίκων. Έχει ολοκληρωμένη εκπαίδευση και επιμορφώσεις στη Συστημική Οικογενειακή Ψυχοθεραπεία και Συμβουλευτική και ως Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια είναι μέλος της Συστημικής Εταιρείας Βορείου Ελλάδος και Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρείας Οικογενειακής Θεραπείας (EFTA-CIM). Για 12 χρόνια έχει υπάρξει ενεργό μέλος και για ένα διάστημα πρόεδρος του Παρατηρητηρίου για τα Δικαιώματα στο χώρο της Ψυχικής Υγείας. Διαθέτει εικοσαετή εργασιακή εμπειρία σε διάφορα πλαίσια. Εργάζεται ως Ψυχολόγος σε Δήμο, όπου παρέχει υπηρεσίες ψυχο-κοινωνικής στήριξης, συμβουλευτικής και ψυχοθεραπείας σε άτομα και οικογένειες. Κύρια έμφαση της δουλειάς της είναι οι δυσκολίες σε θέματα ψυχικής υγείας, όπως κατάθλιψη, στρες, ψυχοσωματικά συμπτώματα, απώλειες, ψυχώσεις κλπ αλλά και τα γενικότερα προβλήματα που προκύπτουν από αναπηρίες, ασθένειες και άλλα δύσκολα γεγονότα ζωής. Επί σειρά ετών εργάστηκε ως Σύμβουλος Σταδιοδρομίας σε Σχολεία Δεύτερης Ευκαιρίας και σε προγράμματα Συμβουλευτικής Ανέργων, ως υπεύθυνη και εκπαιδεύτρια των Σχολών Γονέων. Από το 2007 έχει διεξάγει σεμινάρια ως Εκπαιδεύτρια Ενηλίκων κυρίως σε ομάδες γονέων, εργαζομένων, επαγγελματιών και σε άλλες ομάδες ενηλίκων. Ακόμη, υπήρξε συντονίστρια ομάδας για την κατάθλιψη για δέκα χρόνια. Τέλος, απέκτησε πολύτιμη κλινική εμπειρία ασκούμενη σε δημόσιες και μη δομές ψυχικής υγείας και σε μη κυβερνητικές οργανώσεις, όπως το Παιδοψυχιατρικό του Ιπποκράτειου νοσοκομείου, το Ιατροπαιδαγωγικό Ψυχιατρικό Νοσοκομείο Θεσσαλονίκης, τα Κέντρα Ψυχικής Υγείας κεντρικού και δυτικού (Αμπελοκήπων) τομέα, το Ψυχιατρικό Νοσοκομείο Θεσσαλονίκης, το Κρατικό Θεραπευτήριο Λέρου, το Πολυϊατρείο PRAKSIS, το Πολύκεντρο Δήμου Μυτιλήνης, την Εταιρεία Σπαστικών Βορείου Ελλάδος, την ΑΡΣΙΣ, την Εθελοντική Εργασία κλπ.

Ntikouli Aleksandra was born and raised in Larissa and has lived in Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Kos, and Kozani. Additionally, during her postgraduate studies, she lived for two years in the city of Malmö, Sweden. After completing her studies, she gained clinical experience in various settings, working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She studied Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and then completed her postgraduate degree in Criminology at Malmö University. Currently, she is training in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research. She completed her internship at the Counseling Center of KETHEA ITHAKI in Thessaloniki, where she provided counseling to families of adolescent and adult substance users, participated in group meetings of the center’s members, and engaged in report writing and file organization for the members. During her professional experience as a School Psychologist in Public Education, she collaborated with professionals such as Social Workers, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Educators, organized and conducted prevention and crisis intervention programs related to the school environment, provided parental counseling, as well as individual sessions to children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, and other Developmental Disorders. Additionally, she administered various standardized cognitive assessment tools for children, such as the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices Test, sets A, B, C, D, and E, and the Greek version of the Weschsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). She also provided training in social skills using cognitive-behavioral techniques and various psychoeducational tools. Currently, she works privately as a Psychologist, offering online sessions to diverse populations.