Health professionals for Obsessive–compulsive disorder-OCD in Omonoia

Η Αφροδίτη Κεσόγλου είναι ψυχολόγος με εκπαίδευση στη Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεία και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο κέντρο της Αθήνας, όπου παρέχει συμβουλευτική και ψυχοθεραπεία σε ενήλικες, εφήβους και ζευγάρια.

Παράλληλα εργάζεται ως ψυχολόγος στο Κέντρο Διοτίμα υποστηρίζοντας γυναίκες και θηλυκότητες που έχουν βιώσει έμφυλη και ενδοοικογενειακή βία. Η εργασία της επικεντρώνεται στη στήριξη και ενδυνάμωση ανθρώπων που έχουν επιβιώσει από επιβαρυντικές συνθήκες, καθώς και στην επεξεργασία των συναισθηματικών, ψυχολογικών και σωματικών επιπτώσεων. Στο πλαίσιο αυτό έχει εκπαιδευτεί στην αναγνώριση, υποστήριξη και διαχείριση περιστατικών σεξουαλικής βίας από το Dublin Rape Crisis Centre.

Στο παρελθόν, έχει εργαστεί σε διαφορετικά κοινοτικά και πολυπολιτισμικά πλαίσια, όπως Κέντρα Υποδοχής και Ταυτοποίησης και δομές φιλοξενίας, ως μέλος διεπιστημονικών ομάδων, παρέχοντας ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε παιδιά, εφήβους, γονείς και ενήλικες. Η επαγγελματική της πορεία περιλαμβάνει επίσης την εργασία με ανθρώπους που βρίσκονται σε συνθήκες ευαλωτότητας και κοινωνικού αποκλεισμού, ενώ έχει εκπαιδευτεί στην παιδική προστασία και ασφάλεια. Οι εμπειρίες αυτές μαζί με τις μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στην Ολλλανδία έχουν ενισχύσει την πεποίθησή της, ότι η ψυχική υγεία χρειάζεται να προσεγγίζεται όχι μόνο σε ατομικό επίπεδο, αλλά και σε συνάρτηση με το κοινωνικό, οικογενειακό και περιβαλλοντικό πλαίσιο κάθε ανθρώπου.

Το 2023 ξεκίνησε την εκπαίδευσή της στη Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεία, μια προσέγγιση που αξιοποιεί στοιχεία και τεχνικές από διαφορετικά ψυχοθεραπευτικά μοντέλα, επιτρέποντας τη διαμόρφωση μιας θεραπευτικής διαδικασίας που προσαρμόζεται στις εξατομικευμένες ανάγκες, την προσωπικότητα και το αίτημα κάθε ανθρώπου.

Συνεχίζει να εκπαιδεύεται και να ενημερώνεται διαρκώς σε θέματα  ψυχικής υγείας και ψυχοθεραπείας, με στόχο να παρέχει μια σύγχρονη, ασφαλή και δεοντολογικά υπεύθυνη θεραπευτική προσέγγιση, προσαρμοσμένη στις ανάγκες κάθε ανθρώπου.

Papaeuaggelou Maria is a Psychologist – Systemic Family Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She holds a BSc in Psychology from London Metropolitan University and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire. She has obtained a Professional Diploma in Systemic and Family Therapy from the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations, as well as a Professional Diploma in Mental Health Counseling (Person-Centered Approach) from the College for Humanistic Sciences – ICPS, certified by Pearson UK. Additionally, she has specialized in Emotional Trauma Management and Personality Disorders at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has completed clinical internships at the Outpatient Detoxification Clinic "Athena" of Aiginiteio Hospital and at OKANA (Organization Against Drugs), gaining experience in the assessment and therapeutic support of individuals with addictive behaviors and their families. Her therapeutic approach is based on Systemic and Person-Centered Psychotherapy, emphasizing the creation of a safe framework of trust and acceptance that facilitates personal awareness, empowerment, and meaningful change. Finally, her office provides personalized psychotherapy and counseling services tailored to the needs of each individual, couple, or family, aiming at empowerment, improvement of quality of life, and meaningful personal development.

Lona Elisavet is a Psychologist with a private practice in Athens. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of East London and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the same university. Additionally, she has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She participates in various conferences in her field. She works in a facility with individuals on the autism spectrum. Finally, she is a member of the British Psychological Society.

Elafros Mixalis is a psychiatrist who maintains a private practice in the center of Athens. He holds a Medical Degree from the Psychiatric School of Verona in Italy and has been trained in Descriptive Psychopathology - Phenomenology at Palazzo Borghese in Florence. As a psychiatrist, he has many years of experience in Mental Health Centers, participating, among other things, in group psychoeducation therapy for hospitalized patients as well as their parents and relatives. Until 2023, in addition to his private practice, he was the head of the 2nd Psychiatric Department at the "Galini" Clinic, where he has managed hundreds of cases of patients with major mental disorders. Furthermore, it is noteworthy that in the past he worked at the same clinic as an on-call psychiatrist, as well as at the "Lyrakos Psychotherapeutic Center." Finally, he has attended numerous seminars and conferences in Greece and abroad and is a member of the Athens Medical Association. In recent years, he has specialized in Relational Psychotherapy at ISOPS (Institute of Relational Psychoanalysis and Group Psychotherapy according to Yalom). He is a member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP) and the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA).

The INTERNUS counseling and psychotherapy center, led by clinical psychologist Mr. Kargakis Emmanouil - Internus, maintains offices in Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, and Athens, offering a wide range of services concerning treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, and promotion of mental health, primarily based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Mr. Kargakis, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with postgraduate studies in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at La Salle University of Philadelphia, and his experienced associates, supported by a modern and continuous framework of supervision, training, and professional development through attendance at national and international psychology conferences, ensure the provision of the most advanced mental health services. Over the years, our center has developed activities and collaborations with various organizations such as SOS Children's Villages, O.E.V.E.N.H, O.E.V.E.N.X, secondary education tutoring centers, schools of various levels, sports clubs, educational seminars for the general public, appearances on television and radio programs, and contributions to local blogs. Sessions are conducted by appointment either in person or online.

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.

Ο Νιαμονητός Νικόλας είναι Ψυχίατρος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό ιατρείο στο Κολωνάκι. Είναι απόφοιτος της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου του Καρόλου στην Πράγα και ολοκλήρωσε την ειδικότητα της Ψυχιατρικής στην Α΄ Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του ΕΚΠΑ, στο Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο. Παράλληλα, έλαβε τετραετή εκπαίδευση στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία από το Ερευνητικό Πανεπιστημιακό Ινστιτούτο Ψυχικής Υγιεινής (Ε.Π.Ι.Ψ.Υ.), όπου η θεωρητική του κατάρτιση συνδυάστηκε με ψυχοθεραπευτική παρακολούθηση ασθενών.

Στο πλαίσιο της ειδίκευσής του στο Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο απέκτησε σημαντική κλινική εμπειρία στην αξιολόγηση και θεραπευτική αντιμετώπιση ενός ευρέος φάσματος ψυχικών διαταραχών, τόσο στη γενική ψυχιατρική όσο και σε πιο εξειδικευμένα κλινικά πλαίσια, όπως στις νευροαναπτυξιακές διαταραχές, τις ανθεκτικές στη θεραπεία ψυχιατρικές διαταραχές, την εκτίμηση και διαχείριση της αυτοκτονικότητας και τις εξαρτήσεις σε ψυχοδραστικές ουσίες και αλκοόλ. Επιπλέον, συμμετείχε στα γενικά εξωτερικά ιατρεία του Αιγινητείου Νοσοκομείου, καθώς και σε ειδικά ιατρεία με αντικείμενο την ιδεοψυχαναγκαστική διαταραχή και το φάσμα της, την ψυχική υγεία των γυναικών και την ψυχιατρική της αναπαραγωγής, τις αγχώδεις διαταραχές και τις διαταραχές προσωπικότητας.

Στην κλινική του πρακτική θεωρεί σημαντική τη δημιουργία μιας θεραπευτικής σχέσης που βασίζεται στην εμπιστοσύνη, τη συνεργασία και τον σεβασμό στις ιδιαίτερες ανάγκες του κάθε ανθρώπου, με τη θεραπευτική προσέγγιση να διαμορφώνεται από κοινού. Ανάλογα με την περίπτωση, το θεραπευτικό πλάνο μπορεί να περιλαμβάνει ψυχοθεραπεία, φαρμακευτική αγωγή ή συνδυασμό των δύο, με στόχο την ανακούφιση από τα συμπτώματα και τη βελτίωση της λειτουργικότητας του ανθρώπου στην καθημερινή του ζωή.

Simosis Rafail is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist who maintains private practices in Panormou and Kolonaki, where he provides individual psychotherapy sessions to adolescents, adults, and offers parental counseling. He studied Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, graduating with honors. Additionally, he completed his postgraduate studies in Forensic Psychiatry-Medical Examinations at the Faculty of Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. He has been trained in Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy - CBT (EABCT) for adults at the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior (IETHS), specializing in anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, mood disorders, bipolar disorder, and personality disorders. Throughout his professional career, he has worked as a Psychologist in private offices focused on adolescent and adult therapy. Furthermore, he has attended numerous seminars and conferences aimed at continuous education and advancement in the field of Psychology.

Katerina Leventouri is a Clinical Psychologist (MSc) - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Exarchia. She graduated with honors from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (GPA 8.75) and holds a professional license. She has completed postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology and Neuropsychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in Clinical Psychology with a grade of Excellent (9.14). During her postgraduate studies, she worked in the mental health department of the Hellenic Center for Mental Health and Research in Thessaloniki, as well as in the acute cases department of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, handling a wide range of cases and gaining valuable experience in managing mental health issues such as anxiety, mood, and personality disorders. She has a particular interest in eating disorders, having collaborated as a trainee Clinical Psychologist with the Day Center for Eating Disorders ElpiZo of EPAPSY. Simultaneously, she has attended a one-year educational seminar on the treatment of eating disorders and has also conducted research on the topic. Additionally, she has participated in a research team at University College Cork in Ireland focusing on combating stigma in patients with chronic pain. As a professional, she places great emphasis on lifelong education, personal therapy, and supervision. As a psychotherapist, she follows an individualized approach, respecting each person's unique history, pace, and request within a safe framework of exploration and self-acceptance.

Ο Τζηλίνης Ιωάννης είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Μεταξουργείο. Είναι απόφοιτος Ψυχολογίας από το University of Sheffield και κάτοχος Μεταπτυχιακού Τίτλου στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία από το Leiden University. Επιπλέον, έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Γνωσιακή και Συμπεριφοριστική Ψυχοθεραπεία στην Εταιρεία Γνωσιακών και Συμπεριφοριστικών Σπουδών, αναγνωρισμένη από το European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). Έχει πολυετή εμπειρία στον τομέα της ψυχικής υγείας και της ψυχοκοινωνικής αποκατάστασης σε Ελλάδα και εξωτερικό. Διαθέτει γνώσεις και  εκτενή εμπειρία στη διαχείριση ευάλωτων κοινωνικών ομάδων, θεμάτων έμφυλης βίας, εξαρτήσεων και διαχείρισης κρίσεων. Στο ιδιωτικό του γραφείο προσφέρει εξατομικευμένη ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε ενήλικες, συνδυάζοντας την κλινική του κατάρτιση με μια ανθρωποκεντρική προσέγγιση. Στόχος του είναι η αποτελεσματική διαχείριση του άγχους, των συναισθηματικών δυσκολιών και των προκλήσεων της καθημερινότητας, μέσα σε ένα περιβάλλον ασφάλειας και αποδοχής.

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.

Ioanna Marmarou BSc, MSc, PhD is a Clinical - Counseling Psychologist who maintains a private practice in the center of Athens, in Exarchia. She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of East London, a master's degree in Clinical & Community Psychology, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the same university. The therapist is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society with professional license number 309612. The therapeutic process follows the Integrative Approach, which successfully incorporates Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and Gestalt therapy. She holds certifications in School Psychology, Sexual Education for Children and Adolescents, and Drama Therapy. At Ioanna Marmarou's private practice, the counseling and psychotherapeutic process focuses on the uniqueness of each individual, allowing them to express every right - wrong, good - bad, normal - abnormal, realistic - imaginary, light - dark aspect of themselves and their broader life. The purpose of this therapeutic process is to serve as a journey for the client to explore their own self and their relationship with themselves, as well as the relationships and boundaries they have established within their social environment. A core principle of the therapist is the empowerment of the individual, aiming to build healthy relationships, achieve inner fulfillment, and maintain functionality in daily life.

Myrto Maniati is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Syntagma. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, with a professional practice license (39100-1449). Additionally, she has completed postgraduate training in Clinical Psychopathology at Aeginiteio Hospital, as well as Clinical Training in Group Dynamics in Psychiatric Settings (in collaboration with the Hellenic Society of Psychoanalytic-Oriented Psychotherapy (ΕΕΨΨΟ)). Her scientific specialization concerns psychoanalytic and psychodynamic psychotherapy for adults, children, and adolescents from the Center DI.KE.PSY. (Interdisciplinary & Research Psychosocial Support for Children and Adults). Her professional career began in France, where she worked in mental health facilities, providing psychological support and counseling to adults and socially vulnerable groups, as well as to children and adolescents. From 2018 to 2022, she worked with humanitarian organizations, offering psychological support to vulnerable refugee populations. She collaborated with the Heraklion Mental Health Center, providing psychotherapy services to adults. Finally, she currently maintains a private practice where she offers personalized psychotherapy and counseling services.