Health professionals with experience in Obsessive–compulsive disorder-OCD in Athens

Karydas Xristos, MSc is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in the Megaro Mousikis area. He graduated from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and holds a Master's Degree in "Promotion of Mental Health – Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Simultaneously, he is completing his clinical specialization in Cognitive–Behavioral Therapy. He works as a psychologist at the Reception and Solidarity Center of the Municipality of Athens and at the Therapy Express Mental Health Day Center in Neo Psychiko. Previously, he has worked in Primary Education, as well as in speech therapy and special treatment centers, and was a general partner of the company Psychintherapy. His professional experience includes collaborations with mental health organizations such as the Psychogeriatric Society "Nestor," the Penteli Psychosocial Rehabilitation Hostel, the Agia Paraskevi Day Center of E.P.A.PSY., the Attikon University General Hospital, the Municipality of Ilioupoli, and the Aeginiteio Hospital (Athena Program).

Η Μιχοπούλου Αλεξάνδρα είναι Ψυχολόγος με Αρ. Άδειας Ασκήσεως Επαγγέλματος 2773/10062021 και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στους Αμπελόκηπους, παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ατομικής ψυχοθεραπείας ενηλίκων, παιδιών και εφήβων καθώς και θεραπείας ζεύγους και συμβουλευτικής γονέων. Είναι πτυχιούχος του τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας, Παιδαγωγικής & Ψυχολογίας, με κατεύθυνση την Ψυχολογία, του Εθνικού & Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Συνέχισε τις σπουδές της στη Μ. Βρετανία στο Πανεπιστήμιου του Sussex κατακτώντας το δεύτερο πτυχίο της στην Ψυχολογία (Psychology BSc). Σε μεταπτυχιακό επίπεδο, εξειδικεύτηκε στη Συμβουλευτική και στην Ψυχοθεραπεία στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Εδιμβούργου (Counselling Studies MSc). Επιστρέφοντας στην Ελλάδα, εκπαιδεύτηκε στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφοριστική Θεραπεία, παρακολουθώντας το τετραετές μετεκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα στη Ψυχοθεραπεία ενηλίκων της Εταιρείας Γνωσιακών Συμπεριφοριστικών Σπουδών. Στο πλαίσιο της επαγγελματικής της εμπειρίας, από το 2013 έως και σήμερα έχει εργαστεί στο χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας σε δομές σχετικές με τη στήριξη και τη συμβουλευτική ενηλίκων, παιδιών και εφήβων. Επίσης, έχει εργαστεί, σε εθελοντικό επίπεδο, στον Βρεφονηπιακό σταθμό του 251 Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Αεροπορίας (ΓΝΑ) με παιδιά βρεφονηπιακής ηλικίας με δυσκολίες συμπεριφοράς. Επιπλέον, στο πλαίσιο πρακτικής άσκησης στο 1ο Επαγγελματικό Λύκειο Αγίας Παρασκευής, εργάστηκε με τους τελειόφοιτους σε θέματα κοινωνικής συμπεριφοράς δημιουργώντας ένα υποστηρικτικό πλαίσιο ανάπτυξης και έκφρασης των κοινωνικών δεξιοτήτων τους. Επιπροσθέτως, έχει αποκτήσει κλινική εμπειρία ως εκπαιδευόμενη στο 414 Στρατιωτικό Νοσοκομείο Ειδικών Νοσημάτων (ΣΝΕΝ) στο τμήμα του Διακλαδικού Κέντρου Ψυχικής Υγείας Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων (ΔΚΨΥΕΔ), συμμετέχοντας υπό εποπτεία σε ατομικές, ομαδικές, συστημικές και θεραπείες ζεύγους. Μέχρι και σήμερα συνεργάζεται με τον Αθλητικό Σύλλογο Μπάσκετ του Πανερυθραϊκού, παρέχοντας ένα ασφαλές και εχέμυθο πλαίσιο ψυχικής ενδυνάμωσης και υποστήριξης των αθλητών σε ατομικό και ομαδικό επίπεδο, διαμορφώνοντας και εφαρμόζοντας εξατομικευμένα θεραπευτικά σχέδια σύμφωνα με τις ανάγκες κάθε αθλητή. Παράλληλα, παρέχει υπηρεσίες συμβουλευτικής σε γονείς και προπονητές αποβλέποντας στην από κοινού αντιμετώπιση προβλημάτων σχετικών με τον αθλητή και έχοντας ως τελικό στόχο την εξάσκηση και βελτίωση των ψυχολογικών δεξιοτήτων όπως και τη μεγιστοποίηση της απόδοσης των αθλητών. Τέλος, εργάζεται στο τμήμα Θεραπειών Ενηλίκων του Ινστιτούτου Έρευνας και Θεραπείας της Συμπεριφοράς.

Afxentiou Spyros is a Psychologist and has a private office in Exarchia. He studied Psychology at the European University of Cyprus and holds two master's degrees. Specifically, in Synthetic Psychotherapy at the European University EurAka Switzerland and in Counselling Psychology from the London Metropolitan University. Finally, he has been trained in systems therapy and holds a diploma of training in mental health counselling.

Panou Mairi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in the center of Athens. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, where she graduated with distinction. She continued her studies with a Master's degree in "Applied Cognitive and Developmental Psychology" (MSc in Applied Cognitive and Developmental Psychology) at the same university. During her undergraduate studies, she completed an internship at the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Thoracic Diseases Hospital "Sotiria", while during her postgraduate studies, she trained in psychosocial support structures of Municipalities and at the Athens University of Economics and Business. Subsequently, she specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies, where she also worked in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute of Research and Behavior Therapy. Her considerable experience with adult, adolescent, child, and parent populations stems from her career, as she has worked in adult and adolescent psychotherapy centers, in primary and secondary education schools, in specialized therapy centers, as well as voluntarily on the psychosocial support hotline of the Ministry of Health 10306 and in the "Community Intervention" program of the NGO "IASIS". She currently maintains collaborations with Adult Psychotherapy Institutes, where she participates in peer supervisions and interdisciplinary teams including psychiatrists, social workers, and others.

Dr. Mpeis Ioannis is a Psychiatrist – Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Ilisia, Athens. He holds a degree from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He completed the majority of his specialty training in Germany, at the Vitos Philippshospital Riedstadt psychiatric clinic and the MEDIAN Klinik NRZ Wiesbaden neurological clinic. Concurrently, he trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at IKVT Hessen (Institut für Kognitive Verhaltenstherapie) in Wiesbaden, where he attended the theoretical training program.

In Greece, he continued and completed his training at the Attica Psychiatric Hospital Dromokaiteio, undertaking additional specialty rotations at P.G.N. Attikon and G.N. Evangelismos. He also completed the theoretical part of his training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies, while simultaneously applying psychotherapeutic interventions within his clinical practice framework and participating in supervision.

In his private practice, he primarily works psychotherapeutically, with an emphasis on approaches within the broader family of cognitive-behavioral therapies, while also providing pharmacological treatment when indicated, within the context of comprehensive psychiatric monitoring.

Ntente Myrto is a Psychologist, Psychosexual Therapist, and Psychotherapist, with a private practice in Kypseli, where she offers both in-person and online sessions.

She holds a dual degree in Psychology from the American College of Greece (Deree) and the Open University of the United Kingdom. She completed postgraduate studies at the University of Central Lancashire in Psychosexual Therapy. Subsequently, she specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling in Athens.

Throughout her professional career, she has worked with diverse populations: from elderly individuals in care units—providing psychotherapeutic support and psychometric assessments—to children and adolescents in summer camps. She has collaborated with the Institute of Mental & Sexual Health of Dr. Thanos Askitis, managing clinical cases, as well as with the Hellenic Sexological Institute during her postgraduate internship.

She has served as a speaker at the 4th Panhellenic Interdisciplinary Congress of Sexology, presenting a paper titled “Perfectionism and Its Impact on Sexual Functions.” Additionally, she has attended a series of specialized seminars in the fields of mental and sexual health and holds certification for administering the WAIS IV adult intelligence assessment tool.

Her clinical expertise includes:

• Sexual dysfunctions
• Eating disorders
• Anxiety disorders, phobias, panic attacks, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
• Trauma management
• Interpersonal difficulties
• Family issues & relationship matters

Kollias Thanos MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Athens, providing psychological support and counseling to adolescents, adults, and couples, applying principles of cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy. He is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has also completed undergraduate studies in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the same university, as well as postgraduate studies in Communication, Management, and Innovation at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His interdisciplinary training contributes to a holistic understanding of human behavior, communication, and interpersonal relationships. He has received further training in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Society for Cognitive and Behavioral Studies, recognized by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), while simultaneously pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Sciences at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), specializing in the Psychopedagogy of Reading. He has collaborated with mental health institutions such as the Non-Profit Organization IASIS and the General Hospital Asklipieio Voulas (Child Psychiatry Department), gaining experience in assessment, parent counseling, and psychotherapeutic intervention with children and adolescents. In his therapeutic approach, he utilizes music therapy as a means of expression and processing emotions, enhancing emotional understanding and creative communication.

Foteini Noula is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist specializing in Cognitive-Analytical Psychotherapy (CAP) and maintains a private practice in Panormou, offering psychological support and psychotherapy. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a master's degree in "Health Promotion and Education" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has worked for six years in primary and secondary public education as a psychologist, supporting children, adolescents, and families. Additionally, she has been active as a health promotion specialist in a family empowerment program and has volunteered in mental health reintegration initiatives, as well as in adult counseling through the telephone helpline "Talk to Me." Her approach is affirming and focuses on building a relationship of trust and empathy, within a safe environment that empowers the individual and promotes mental health.

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).

Ο Χώρος Ψυχικής Υγείας MindΒloom γεννήθηκε από το όραμα της κλινικής ψυχολόγου και ψυχοθεραπεύτριας Φωτεινής Καναλουπίτη για την δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς χώρου, ο οποίος να διακρίνεται από τις αξίες της συμπεριληπτικότητας, της συνεργατικότητας, της απο-παθολογικοποίησης, της άνευ όρων αποδοχής, της ειλικρινούς ενσυναίσθησης και του σεβασμού στη διαφορετικότητα. Σήμερα η ομάδα του χώρου MindBloom απαρτίζεται από τέσσερις επαγγελματίες ψυχικής υγείας, τη Φωτεινή Καναλουπίτη, τη Δανάη Γιαννακοπούλου, τη Δήμητρα Ζαφειροπούλου και τη Μαρίνα Μιχαλάτου, που τις ενώνει η κοινή αξία για την παροχή εξειδικευμένων επιστημονικών υπηρεσιών χωρίς διακρίσεις, σε ένα πλαίσιο που η θεραπεία και η κοινωνική δικαιοσύνη είναι αλληλένδετες. Τα μέλη της ομάδας του Mindbloom είναι ξεχωριστά διαπιστευμένες σε τέσσερις διαφορετικές ψυχοθεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις: Θεραπεία Σχημάτων, Προσωποκεντρική προσέγγιση, Γνωσιακή-Συμπεριφοριστική Θεραπεία και Αφηγηματική Θεραπεία. Αυτό, σε συνδυασμό με την ποικιλία στην εκπαιδευτική εξειδίκευση και την εργασιακή εμπειρία του κάθε μέλους της ομάδας, επιτρέπει την κάλυψη εύρους θεραπευτικών αιτημάτων (δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις, διαχείριση ψυχιατρικών διαγνώσεων και συμπτωμάτων, παροχή υποστήριξης στην εξάρτηση και διασύνδεση με σχετικούς φορείς, υποστήριξη στην εξερεύνηση της ταυτότητας φύλου και της σεξουαλικότητας, υποστήριξη γονεϊκού ρόλου, κ.α.). Η διαδικασία για την έναρξη συνεδριών στον χώρο MindBloom βασίζεται στην λήψη βασικών πληροφοριών για το ενδιαφερόμενο άτομο και το θεραπευτικό του αίτημα ώστε να του προταθεί η επαγγελματίας που κρίνεται πιο κατάλληλη και έμπειρη για την υποστήριξή του με βάση τις εξατομικευμένες ανάγκες του.

Λίγα λόγια για τη συντονίστρια της ομάδας του MindBloom:

Η Φωτεινή Καναλουπίτη είναι Kλινική Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια MSC. Σπούδασε και εργάστηκε στην Ολλανδία (BA,University of Groningen- MSC Clinical Psychology, University of Leiden) ενώ εκπαιδεύτηκε στην Θεραπεία Σχημάτων (Λονδίνο, British Psychological Society,Part 1) και στις Διατροφικές Διαταραχές (Αθήνα, Κέντρο Εκπαίδευσης Διατροφικών Διαταραχών και British Psychological Society). Η πρώτη της εμπειρία σαν θεραπεύτρια έλαβε χώρα στην εταιρία Antiloneliness (Χάγη και Λάιντεν, 2018) όπου εργάστηκε υποστηρίζοντας άτομα από όλο τον κόσμο τα οποία αντιμετώπιζαν δυσκολίες προσαρμογής, σχέσεων, ψυχιατρικές διαταραχές κ.α. ενώ παράλληλα έλαβε και την πρώτη της εκπαίδευση ως Ψυχοθεραπέυτρια. Η κλινική της εκπαίδευση συνεχίστηκε στον φορέα ΚΛΙΜΑΚΑ (Αθήνα, 2020), όπου εργάστηκε για περίπου δύο χρόνια αποκτώντας εμπειρία στην ψυχοπαθολογία και κυρίως στον αυτοκτονικό ιδεασμό, στηρίζοντας άτομα με ψυχιατρικές διαταραχές και τελώντας εικοσιτετράωρες εφημερίες στην Εθνική Γραμμή για την Πρόληψη της Αυτοκτονίας (1018). Οι σπουδές της αλλά και η εμπειρία της με ανθρώπους από όλο τον κόσμο, της έδωσαν την ευκαιρία να χρησιμοποιεί ένα ολιστικό μοντέλο θεραπείας τόσο διαφορετικό και δυναμικό, όσο και η ανθρώπινη φύση. Στο μοντέλο αυτό υπάρχουν στοιχεία από την Θεωρία Σχημάτων, η οποία έχει αποτελέσει την βασική της ψυχοθεραπευτική προσέγγιση, την Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφοριστική Θεραπεία, την Gestalt, και πολλά άλλα. Στόχος της, είναι η συνεχής ενημέρωση και γνώση νέων εργαλείων προσανατολισμένων στην ανακούφιση και υποστήριξη. Ο άνθρωπος είναι κατεξοχήν δυναμικό όν, αλλάζει, προσαρμόζεται και εξελίσσεται. Έτσι ακριβώς αντιλαμβάνεται το θεραπευτικό ταξίδι και αποτελεί έναν από τους σημαντικότερους λόγους που την γοήτευσε και συνεχίζει να την γοητεύει.

Tsoni Sevasti is a Psychologist (MSc) – Systemic Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in the Gyzi area, where she provides psychotherapy sessions to children, adolescents, adults, and families. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and holds a postgraduate degree (MSc) in Child and Adolescent Mental Health from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is trained in Systemic Psychotherapy and has further specialized in the treatment of sexual disorders, having completed numerous continuing education programs. Her professional experience is extensive and includes work in various therapeutic and educational settings. She has offered individual and group psychotherapeutic support to populations with complex psychosocial needs, such as refugees, unaccompanied minors, and families in crisis, through humanitarian organizations such as PRAKSIS, MERIMNA, and the International Organization for Migration. Additionally, she has served as a school psychologist within initiatives of the Ministry of Education and has collaborated with Child and Adolescent Development Centers. She has presented scientific papers at national and international conferences and has delivered lectures and seminars in schools, teaching associations, and mental health facilities. Centered on scientific evidence, empathy, and respect for the uniqueness of each individual, she approaches therapeutic work through a holistic and experiential lens, enhancing the psychological resilience of her clients.

Yfanti Katerina is a Psychologist with a private practice in Pangrati. She holds a degree in Psychology from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences, a master's degree in Counseling Psychology from Keele University (MSc), and has been trained in Person-Centered Therapy. She is a member of the BPS (British Psychological Society) and the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). She has been trained in Behavioral Therapy specializing in Anxiety, Somatoform, and Sexual Disorders (THESY), in Clinical Hypnotherapy (Emotional Research Center & Self-esteem), in Counseling Support for Children of Infant, Child, and Adolescent age (Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling), in Parent Counseling (Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling), and in Trauma and Grief Therapy (Taking Flight International Corporation). For several years she worked in Psychosocial Rehabilitation structures of the Ministry of Health (EPSAMY), while simultaneously maintaining her private practice in Athens for over ten years, offering psychological services across the full spectrum of human behavior, creating a therapeutic framework of safety and trust.

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.

Daikidou Ioanna MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist, licensed to practice, and maintains a private practice in Panormou. Additionally, she has worked as a Psychologist at the Center for Specialized Therapies "Logopaidevgein", as well as at the Special Educational Psychotherapy Center "Paideia En Exelixi". She has also served as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist, external associate at "THERAPY NEST A. Kandaraki". She studied Psychology at Panteion University and has received further training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy & Counseling. She completed a postgraduate program (MSc) in Liaison Psychiatry: Integrated Care of Physical and Mental Health at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Moreover, she attended the postgraduate seminar in Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis" at Aeginiteio Hospital, where she also worked as a Psychologist under the supervision of Assistant Professor of Psychiatry, Dr. Konstantinos Kontoaggelos. She has also worked as a Psychologist (supervised by Assistant Professor Dr. Konstantinos Kontoaggelos) at Aretaieio, Laiko, "Alexandra", and "Andreas Syngros" Hospitals. Furthermore, she has provided psychological services at the Psychogeriatric Society "NESTOR" and at the Hellenic Center for Mental Health and Research in Exarcheia, as part of her practical training. Finally, she has participated in several scientific conferences and seminars.