Health professionals for Depression

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.

Nikolakopoulos Giorgos MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Ano Patissia. He holds a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a postgraduate degree in Psychology and Neuroscience from King's College London. Additionally, he has completed a postgraduate seminar in Clinical Psychopathology at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has undergone clinical psychoanalytic training at the Psychoanalytic Research Center of Athens, at the Institute of the Freudian Field. The Psychologist has worked with the Independent Humanitarian Organization PRAKSIS, the International Organization for Migration, and Medecins du Monde. Concurrently, he completed his internship at the University General Hospital "Attikon" and has worked at the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust in England. In his private practice, he offers a wide range of services, respecting the individual needs of each patient.

Lagga Athanasia is a Psychologist, Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapist (CBT), and Clinical Hypnotherapist (Biothymic Psychotherapy). She maintains a private practice in Aigaleo and offers both in-person and online sessions for adults, children, and adolescents. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Athens and holds a Professional License to Practice Psychology (license number 4667). Subsequently, she completed her postgraduate training in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling (K.E.PSY.SY.). Additionally, she is a certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and has completed her training in Biothymic Psychotherapy-Clinical Hypnosis at K.E.PSY.SY. She has also completed basic training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) at the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior (I.E.S.TH.). She has attended numerous professional development seminars as part of her personal and professional growth.

Kontrafouri Elisavet-Aleksandra is a Psychologist with a private practice in Syntagma. She studied Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed postgraduate studies in "Global Health – Disaster Medicine" (MSc in Crisis Management) at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she is currently specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Society of Cognitive and Behavioral Studies. She is a member of the organization “Touch of Life,” where she provides psychological support to oncology patients and their support networks. She works with a wide range of mental health issues, including individuals experiencing panic attacks, phobias, anxiety and mood disorders, stress, relationship problems, and those seeking personal development. She collaborates with the Friends Association of the Obstetrics-Gynecology Clinic of Aretaieio Hospital, offering psychological support to oncology patients. Her professional experience is strongly marked by volunteer work, including participation at the University Psychiatric Clinic of Papageorgiou Hospital and at the therapeutic center in Leros.

Stefanos Gkogkornas is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist. He studied Psychology in the Psychology Program at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) through the four-year postgraduate program of the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies. Additionally, he received training in Clinical Psychopathology through the two-year programs of the First University Psychiatric Clinic of NKUA and the Research University Institute of Mental Health. Finally, he has been trained in the fundamental principles of mindfulness and self-awareness at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies.

He has worked as a Psychologist on the telephone support line for "Together for Children," in the kindergartens of the Municipality of Dafni-Ymittos, at the Family Counseling Center of the Municipality of Kallithea, with the NGO Freedom Gate, and in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior. He currently practices privately as a Psychotherapist, with clinical experience that includes individual and group psychotherapy and counseling sessions with people of all ages, dealing with problems related to family, work, or social relationships, and presenting a variety of psychopathologies such as depression, anxiety disorders, panic attacks, personality disorders, among others.

Mpolou Klarissa is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She studied Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed her Master's degree in Counseling Psychology in the Department of Special Education at the University of Thessaly. She continued her studies in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, completing the four-year program of the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research - Macedonia Branch (EEES-PM), which is certified by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). Additionally, at the psychotherapeutic center "Stirixis," she managed clinical cases under a Cognitive-Behavioral approach with supervision. She has worked as a Psychologist in a refugee reception center in Ioannina. She has also worked as a Psychologist in Primary Education in the city of Thessaloniki, where she conducted seminars for educators and parents. As part of her continuous professional development, she has attended numerous workshops, seminars, and conferences on Mental Health. Her research interests include eating disorders, grief management and treatment, and couples therapy. She holds a professional psychologist license (License No. 19869/760) and maintains a practice in Thessaloniki, providing counseling and psychotherapeutic services. She is a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and a member of EEES.

Maria Galani is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Patissia. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of the University of Wales and holds a master's degree in Child Development from the University of London. Additionally, she possesses a specialization certificate in Systemic and Family Therapy from the Laboratory of Human Relations Investigation (Dr. Harris Katakis). She has completed a program in Emotionally Focused Couples Therapy (EFT), as well as a training program in the Systemic approach at the Family Therapy Center (MA, Alia Samara). Furthermore, she holds a certificate of attendance from a training program in Vocational Counseling (ISON Psychometrica). She has completed an internship involving the application of group and individual counseling, theoretical and practical knowledge of psychometric tests, within a preadolescent and adolescent creative activity group with a therapeutic character, at the Family Therapy Center and the Family Care Center of the Municipality of Nea Ionia. Additionally, she has attended numerous seminars aimed at her continuing education in her field and has participated in authoring books. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society, the European Family Therapy Association, the Hellenic Society of Systemic Therapy, and the British Psychological Society.

Krikeli Eleni is a Psychologist and Author. Her academic studies began in the Department of History, Archaeology, and Social Anthropology at the University of Thessaly and were completed at the University of Crete, where she graduated from the Department of Psychology. Since then, she has continued her studies at the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy (ΚΕ.Σ.ΜΕ.Θ), where she is training in Systemic Psychotherapy. During her professional career, she has collaborated as a volunteer Psychologist with the General Hospital of Rethymno in the Psychiatry Department and has worked for several years as a Psychologist at the private Neuropsychiatric Clinic "KASTALIA." Currently, her professional activity continues with online sessions, while she also serves as the lead Psychologist at the Elderly Care Unit "Leonia" in Kallithea, Attica. Additionally, organizing seminars related to her professional interests and the knowledge she acquires each time enriches an ever-expanding portfolio, which is a priority for her. Finally, writing articles and authoring books are significant facets of her life, playing an important role. Having already published a book titled "The Comfort of the Lion," she regularly presents the fascination and admiration inspired in her by human existence, diversity, flexibility, anxiety, and fear. As a Psychologist, she admires the truth revealed by the client during their sessions, takes pride in their courage and strength to focus on their real challenges, and equally rejoices in the changes they achieve! With all these perspectives she has had and continues to encounter, it is clear that the central theme of her articles and books is... the human being!

Η Γκέκα Ευαγγελία είναι Ψυχολόγος – Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Ιωνία, παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ατομικής ψυχοθεραπείας σε ενήλικες βασισμένη σε τεκμηριωμένες μεθόδους και σύγχρονα θεραπευτικά μοντέλα.

Αποφοίτησε από το University of Derby (Τμήμα Ψυχολογίας) και εκπαιδεύτηκε στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία στο Κέντρο Εφαρμοσμένης Ψυχοθεραπείας. Ολοκλήρωσε, επιπλέον, μονοετές πρόγραμμα «Ανώτερης Πρακτικής στη Γνωσιακή – Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία», το οποίο περιλάμβανε 170 ώρες εξειδικευμένης εκπαίδευσης, 190 ώρες εποπτευόμενης κλινικής άσκησης και 100 ώρες προσωπικής ανάπτυξης, εμβαθύνοντας στα νεότερα μοντέλα CBT και ενισχύοντας ουσιαστικά την κλινική της επάρκεια.

Πραγματοποίησε την πρακτική της άσκηση στην Ψυχιατρική Πτέρυγα του Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Αθήνας – Γ. Γεννηματάς, όπου συμμετείχε ενεργά σε εφημερίες και στη διαχείριση απαιτητικών κλινικών περιστατικών (ψυχώσεις, κρίσεις πανικού, αγχώδεις διαταραχές, διαταραχές προσωπικότητας, σοβαρά καταθλιπτικά επεισόδια). Εκπαιδεύτηκε στη χορήγηση και αξιολόγηση ψυχομετρικών εργαλείων (όπως το MMPI), συμμετείχε ενεργά σε διεπιστημονικές ομάδες και στο τμήμα Διασυνδετικής Ψυχιατρικής, αποκτώντας πολύτιμη εμπειρία στη διαχείριση σύνθετων κλινικών περιστατικών. Η εμπειρία αυτή της επιτρέπει να εργάζεται με ασφάλεια και ψυχραιμία ακόμη και σε περιπτώσεις υψηλής συναισθηματικής έντασης.

Έχει συνεργαστεί με δομές ψυχικής υγείας και φορείς, μεταξύ των οποίων και η Ψυχογηριατρική Εταιρεία «Ο Νέστωρ», ενώ έχει παρακολουθήσει πληθώρα εξειδικευμένων σεμιναρίων στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό, εμπλουτίζοντας διαρκώς τη θεωρητική και κλινική της κατάρτιση.

Παράλληλα, έχει ολοκληρώσει ετήσια εκπαίδευση στη Μουσικοθεραπεία με συντονιστή τον Δημήτρη Ψύχα, διευρύνοντας τα θεραπευτικά της εργαλεία με δημιουργικές και βιωματικές παρεμβάσεις. Αυτή την περίοδο συμμετέχει στο ευρωπαϊκό εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα Music – P.O.W.E.R. (Music – Promoting Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment and Recovery), που υλοποιείται από τη SONARA – Διεπιστημονική Εταιρεία Μουσικοθεραπείας και Έρευνας, υπό τον συντονισμό της WE World σε σύμπραξη με την ActionAid Hellas και την Asociación Bienestar y Desarrollo (ABD), με συγχρηματοδότηση της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης. Το πρόγραμμα εστιάζει στην ενδυνάμωση και φροντίδα γυναικών μέσω εξειδικευμένων μουσικοθεραπευτικών παρεμβάσεων.

Η θεραπευτική της προσέγγιση βασίζεται σε τεκμηριωμένες μεθόδους, με έμφαση στη συνεργατική σχέση θεραπευτή–θεραπευόμενου, την ενίσχυση της αυτογνωσίας και την ανάπτυξη ουσιαστικών δεξιοτήτων διαχείρισης δυσκολιών, με σεβασμό στη μοναδικότητα και τον ρυθμό κάθε ανθρώπου.

Rizou Katerina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with 20 years of experience, maintaining a private practice in Cholargos and is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society. She obtained her degree from the University of Kent at Canterbury in the United Kingdom and trained in Psychodynamic-Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy through continuous seminars, postgraduate training programs, supervision, and years of personal therapy. She continued her postgraduate education at the Athens Center for the Study of the Human (A.K.M.A) and in Systemic – Family Therapy. Subsequently, she earned her master's degree as a Special Educator, with an emphasis on learning disabilities, from the University of Nottingham Trent. Additionally, she has worked in hostels and residential facilities for psychosocial rehabilitation and has served as Program Manager at a Day Center for individuals with mental health disorders. She addresses adolescents with behavioral problems, adults with difficulties such as anxiety, depression, relationship and behavioral issues, as well as broader emotional disorders, and also works with families or couples. Finally, she collaborates on a case-by-case basis with psychiatrists.

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.

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.

Mariana Florou is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia. She is a distinguished graduate in Psychology from Panteion University (License number 2955/18-01-2019). Additionally, she is a distinguished graduate in Sociology from the same university. She has completed her studies in the four-year enriched systemic SANE model at the Institute of Education and Research in Systemic Psychotherapy - Logo Psychis, obtaining a diploma in psychotherapy recognized by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP). At the same institute, she has also completed a one-year training program in couples therapy. She regularly receives supervision and has undergone over ten years of personal therapy. She has completed a six-month internship in the psychiatric clinic of the 414 Military Hospital as a prerequisite for her undergraduate studies. Furthermore, as part of her specialization in psychotherapy, she completed a 30-month practical training in a psychologist’s office, where she actively participated in the therapeutic process of a psychotherapy group. Since 2019, she has been working in her private practice with adolescents, adults, couples, and families addressing a wide range of issues and difficulties. Additionally, she collaborates with a counseling and psychotherapy center as a psychotherapist for adults, families, and couples. Acknowledging the challenges of the contemporary era, the rapidly changing social landscape, as well as developments in psychology and neurosciences, she continues to attend various educational programs for her further professional development. Her aim is for the psychotherapeutic relationship to function as a reparative framework of safety, in which clients can discover silenced aspects of themselves and develop a revised perspective on themselves and their lives.

Stefanou Nefeli BSc, MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Paleo Faliro. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a postgraduate degree in Liaison Psychiatry Integrated Care of Physical and Mental Health from the medical department. She has been working in the field of psychotherapy since 2018, offering individual psychotherapy services to adults and adolescents as well as counseling to parents. She is oriented towards the field of Lacanian Psychoanalysis and is a student at the Academy of Clinical Studies in Athens. Her practice, informed by Lacan's teachings, places particular emphasis on the speech of each subject and explores the meaning of the symptoms presented by each analysand. 

Creating Narratives is a team of therapists providing support to individuals interested in their mental health. Common difficulties arising in human relationships (family, romantic, professional, friendships) can be addressed within a safe environment of understanding and empowerment. Psychotherapy is not only about managing mental health challenges and symptoms. It involves the effort to change a situation into one that is more functional, both for ourselves and for those around us. Furthermore, it can lead to an improvement in an individual's quality of life as well as the discovery of new ways to connect with others. The scientific collaborators of Creating Narratives include Psychologist Jo Grigoriadou, Sociologist Konstantinos Galazios, and also Psychologist Katerina Manioti.