Health professionals for Obsessive–compulsive disorder-OCD

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.

Roxani - Maria Vakalou is a Psychologist, graduate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in Clinical Psychology. She is a certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist and is training in Bioenergetic Clinical Hypnosis.

Her choice of specializations is based on the integration of two critical pillars: focusing on the "here and now," addressing dysfunctional patterns of thinking and behavior, and processing emotional traumas formed during early developmental stages before the development of logical thinking.

Her career in the Mental Health field includes voluntary service at S.O.F.PSY. Serres, coordinating therapeutic groups and cognitive-behavioral interventions; collaboration with the Hellenic Alzheimer’s Disease Association; specialization in "Dance Theatre"; and mental health counseling in a multinational environment through conducting psychoeducational groups and individual sessions (since 2024).

She firmly believes that Psychotherapy is the most valuable investment in oneself and the cornerstone of self-awareness and mental well-being. Her goal is, within an environment of trust, understanding, and acceptance, to help individuals genuinely "embrace" themselves.

Georgiadi Aikaterini is a psychologist with a private practice in Agia Varvara. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has attended numerous trainings and seminars on mental health issues with children, adolescents, and adults. Her internship took place at the Korydallos Health Center, and since then, she has worked in Mental Health Centers focusing primarily on providing psychoeducational support. At her private practice, she offers cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy sessions for children, adolescents, and adults.

Eleni Fyta is a psychologist based in Athens, maintaining a private practice and collaborating with therapy centers that support children, adolescents, and adults. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Pharmacy from the University of Patras, combining scientific expertise with a deeply human-centered therapeutic approach.She has completed training in Group Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy through the Hellenic Society of Group Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (E.E.Ps.Ps.O.) and is currently participating in postgraduate programs in Clinical Psychopathology and Psychoanalysis.Her professional experience includes positions at therapy centers such as Mind Set Go! and To Spiti, as well as collaboration with the European Network of Women of Greece, where she provided psychological support to victims of domestic violence.Eleni has also been actively involved in volunteer work with the Hellenic Red Cross and various community programs offering educational and psychological support to refugees and migrants. She regularly attends psychoanalytic and psychological research conferences, reflecting her continuous professional development.Her therapeutic approach focuses on building a relationship of trust and authentic communication, helping individuals explore their inner conflicts and foster personal growth.

Ο Κεβόπουλος Σταύρος είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στην Αθήνα. Διαθέτει παρουσία και εμπειρία τριιάντα χρόνων στον χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας, καθώς έχει εργαστεί σε δημόσιες και ιδιωτικές ψυχιατρικές δομές. Έχει εργαστεί στο Ψυχιατρικό Νοσοκομείο Αττικής, στην Ψυχιατρική Κλινική Αλεξανδρούπολης, στο πρόγραμμα απεξάρτησης 18 Άνω καθώς και σε ιδιωτικά θεραπευτικά πλαίσια.

Είναι μέλος του Ινστιτούτου Κλασικής Ψυχανάλυσης Αθηνών και εκπαιδευτής ψυχοδράματος. Διαθέτει πολυετή εμπειρία στην αντιμετώπιση κατάθλιψης, αγχωδών διαταραχών, κρίσεων πανικού, εξαρτήσεων από ουσίες και κάπνισμα, σεξουαλικών δυσκολιών και γενικότερα σύνθετων ψυχοπαθολογικών καταστάσεων, με έμφαση στη βαθύτερη ψυχοθεραπευτική κατανόηση και θεραπεία του ανθρώπου.

Giakoumi Xristina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kalamata, where she provides individual and group psychotherapy sessions. She graduated from the Universita' Degli Studi di Urbino "Carlo Bo" where she studied Psychology.

Dionysios Siafakas is a Psychology graduate from Neapolis University and holds a master's degree in "The Science of Stress & Health Promotion" from the Medical School of NKUA. He has extensive clinical experience through his collaboration with mental health organizations such as the child psychiatry department of the "Karamanadaneio" hospital, the "H Pammakaristos" foundation, and structures of the "Hellenic Red Cross." He specializes in the treatment of anxiety, depression, behavioral disorders, and stress management, applying modern cognitive behavioral therapy techniques.

Karaiskou Euaggelia is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist with a private practice in Hymittos. She studied at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and subsequently specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Since 2015, she has been treating adult and adolescent patients experiencing difficulties related to anxiety (panic attacks, tics, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, etc.), mood disorders (depression, feelings of emptiness, binge eating episodes, anger, etc.), and interpersonal relationship challenges (low self-esteem, impulsivity, commitment, trust, etc.). She also provides counseling and psychotherapeutic support to parents and children over the age of 8. She has been trained in Active Listening within Thomas Gordon’s Effective Communication method, a valuable tool in her work. She continuously pursues further training through seminars, keeping up-to-date with new practices in her field. Her personal therapy, education, and many years of professional experience have led her to the beliefs that: "The first major step toward change and development happens by seeking help." and "Seeking help demonstrates strength and desire, not weakness."

Georgios Zaxariadis is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist - Sociologist who maintains a private practice in Glyfada. He studied International Psychology (BS) at Erasmus University Rotterdam, Netherlands, and completed postgraduate studies at Utrecht University in the field of Clinical Psychology with a dissertation focusing on Epigenetics and Neuroplasticity. Additionally, he studied Sociology (BA) at the University of Crete in the field of Political Anthropology and holds certification in Social Psychology from Paul Valéry University Montpellier (Southern France). He completed his internship at a private mental health institution in Leiden (AntiLoneliness). He worked for two years as an assistant professor at Erasmus University Rotterdam, earning the title of "PBL - Problem Based Learning" higher education instructor. In Greece, he is a licensed Clinical Psychologist and a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society (SEPS). He has worked and continues to collaborate as a Psychotherapist in private institutions as well as in academic positions managing educational seminars and study programs, such as the Educational Institute of Synthetic Approach (EK.ISY.P). Furthermore, he participated in the administration of psychodiagnostic instruments for measuring neurodegenerative disorders at Aeginiteio Hospital of Athens. He has been trained in Relational Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy at the Institute of Relational Group Psychotherapy (ISOPS) and stays updated with the latest research and academic developments by attending and participating in numerous conferences.

Nikolaos Gkoumas BSc, MA is a Counseling Psychologist with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Sheffield, UK, and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from York University. He completed a two-year internship at the City Counseling Center, accumulating 230 hours of supervised clinical sessions. In his private practice, he provides therapy for issues related to depression, anxiety, anger, family relationships, personal relationships, eating disorders, loneliness, substance abuse, interpersonal relationships, and self-esteem. He offers assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological problems, and conducts seminars for agencies, organizations, and companies.

Karagianni Xrysa BSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Chalandri. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and specializes in CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, following training completed at the Institute of Research and Behavior Therapy. The specialist has gained significant experience working in the Social Service of the Municipality of Nikaia, and since 2014, she has been working as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist at the Alzheimer Society of Athens. In her private practice, she offers a wide range of services, respecting the individual needs of each patient, and also provides her services through online sessions.

Η Σακελλαρίου Ευανθία (Βάνα) είναι ψυχολόγος - ψυχοθεραπεύτρια ψυχοδυναμικής και ομαδικής αναλυτικής κατεύθυνσης. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στον Άλιμο, παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ατομικής και ομαδικής ψυχοθεραπείας ενηλίκων. Είναι πτυχιούχος του τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης. Έχει ολοκληρώσει τις μεταπτυχιακές της σπουδές στον τομέα της Διαπολιτισμικής Εκπαίδευσης στο τμήμα Παιδαγωγικής και Ψυχολογίας του Ελεύθερου Πανεπιστημίου Βερολίνου και είναι τελειόφοιτη του Ινστιτούτου Ομαδικής Ανάλυσης "S. H. Foulkes" Αθηνών (ΙΟΑΦ).

Η Δανάη Νταφούλη είναι κλινική ψυχολόγος (MSc) - ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί το ιδιωτικό της γραφείο στην περιοχή των Αμπελοκήπων στην Αθήνα από το 2022. Σπούδασε και αποφοίτησε με άριστα από το τμήμα ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και έλαβε την άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος από την Περιφέρεια Αττικής με αριθμό πρωτοκόλλου 16792. Συνέχισε με μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Leiden στην Ολλανδία.

Έχει ολοκληρώσει την εκπαίδευση της στην Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφοριστική Ψυχοθεραπεία παρακολουθώντας τετραετές πρόγραμμα εξειδίκευσης στην Εταιρεία Γνωσιακών Συμπεριφοριστικών Σπουδών, λαμβάνοντας πλήρη θεωρητική και κλινική κατάρτιση για τη θεραπεία ενηλίκων και παιδιών. Επιπλέον έχει εκπαιδευτεί στην Τραυματοθεραπεία μέσω της πρωτοποριακής θεραπείας Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) στο Ινστιτούτο Τραυματοθεραπείας Αθηνών. Έχει επίσης καταρτιστεί στην Κινητοποιητική Συνέντευξη (Motivational Interviewing), μια θεραπευτική πρακτική με στόχο την ενίσχυση κινήτρου και τη επίλυση της αμφιθυμίας, στο Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο του Άμστερνταμ. Συμμετέχει ως ομιλήτρια σε συνέδρια παρουσιάζοντας το κλινικό και ερευνητικό της έργο.

Στο παρελθόν, το 2017, σπούδαζε και εργάζονταν στην Ολλανδία στο Πανεπιστήμιο του Leiden και στην κλινική του Πανεπιστημιακού Νοσοκομείου του Άμστερνταμ (AMC). Έως σήμερα διατηρεί αυτή τη συνεργασία συμμετέχοντας ερευνητικά και εποπτικά στο έργο τους, αλλά και διδάσκοντας την Κινητοποιητική Συνέντευξη. Το 2019 επιστρέφοντας στην Ελλάδα εργάστηκε προσφέροντας ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε ευάλωτες κοινωνικές ομάδες στα προγράμματα του Διεθνή Οργανισμού Μετανάστευσης και του Ελληνικού Ερυθρού Σταυρού (2019-2021). Έπειτα εργάστηκε επί τετραετίας (2021-2025) σε κέντρα θεραπειών παιδιών και εφήβων στην Αθήνα και στην ενδοκρινολογική μονάδα του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών παρέχοντας ατομικές και ομαδικές συνεδρίες σε παιδιά, εφήβους και συμβουλευτική γονέων.

Στη διάρκεια των σπουδών της, έκανε πρακτική άσκηση στην ψυχιατρική κλινική του Αττικού Νοσοκομείου για ένα χρόνο αλλά και στο συμβουλευτικό κέντρο του Πανεπιστημίου του Leiden όπου και ανέλαβε τα πρώτα της περιστατικά. Επιπλέον παρακολούθησε εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα επιμόρφωσης, όπως σεμινάριο για τη διαταραχή ύπνου, εξάμηνη επιμόρφωση στην «ψυχιατρική των εφήβων» στο Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο, ετήσιο πρόγραμμα εκπαίδευσης στις «εξαρτήσεις και ψυχική υγεία» στο ΚΕΘΕΑ, σεμινάριο στη δραματοθεραπεία, εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα για θέματα παιδικής προστασίας και διαχείρισης θυμάτων έμφυλης βίας και βασανιστηρίων από τον Ελληνικό Ερυθρό Σταυρό. Στο παρελθόν έχει προσφέρει εθελοντική εργασία και έχει συμμετάσχει σε σεμινάρια και ημερίδες ως συντονίστρια στην Ελλάδα και στο εξωτερικό.

Dr. Sakellaridi Vasiliki, MD, MSc, is a Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist with a private practice in Palaio Faliro. Concurrently, she is a scientific collaborator at the Psychodermatology Clinic of the 1st University Psychiatric Clinic of Aiginiteio Hospital and Syggrou Hospital. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Crete and holds a postgraduate degree in Neurosciences from the interdepartmental program "Brain and Mind" at the Medical School of the University of Crete. She specialized in Psychiatry at the 8th Department of the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, where she gained extensive clinical experience in severe mental disorders and psychopharmacology. Additionally, she specialized in Community Psychiatry at the Hellenic Center for Mental Health and Research. During her specialty, she received further training in Clinical Psychopathology, Clinical Psychopharmacology, and Psychoanalytic Theory and Technique. For two years, she worked as a B’ Registrar - Specialist Psychiatrist at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica. She maintained a weekly outpatient clinic and was the responsible psychiatrist for two psychosocial rehabilitation hostels housing individuals with chronic mental disorders. At the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica, she consistently worked with a focus on a holistic approach to the patient, combating stigma, and social reintegration. She is currently receiving training in psychoanalysis and psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Hellenic Society of Psychoanalysis and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. She has attended numerous seminars related to the psychodynamic approach to issues in clinical practice. At present, she is conducting her doctoral dissertation at the University of West Attica. She has scientific publications in Greek and international journals. Additionally, she maintains a consistent presence and participation in psychiatric conferences through lectures and oral presentations.

Η Φεφέ Πένη είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και απόφοιτη του τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων. Είναι κάτοχος άδειας άσκησης επαγγέλματος, με μεταπτυχιακή εξειδίκευση στην "Επιστήμη του Στρες και Προαγωγή της Υγείας", από την Ιατρική Σχολή του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών.

Έχει αποκτήσει εμπειρία σε κλινικά, ερευνητικά και κοινοτικά πλαίσια, μέσα από συνεργασίες με φορείς όπως το Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο Αθηνών, το ΚΕ.Δ.Α.Σ.Υ., το Ο.ΚΑ.ΝΑ, την Εταιρεία Νόσου Alzheimer και άλλους οργανισμούς ψυχικής υγείας.

Παράλληλα, επιμορφώνεται διαρκώς και έχει συμμετάσχει σε ερευνητική δραστηριότητα, ως κύρια συγγραφέας σε μελέτη που δημοσιεύτηκε στο περιοδικό Children του MDPI, σχετικά με την αξιολόγηση μαθησιακών δυσκολιών στον ελληνικό πληθυσμό: "Validation of the Greek version of the Colorado Learning Difficulties Questionnaire".

Η θεραπευτική προσέγγιση που ακολουθεί είναι η Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία. Με τη CBT μαθαίνει το άτομο τα εργαλεία για να γίνει ο θεραπευτής του εαυτού του. Η ίδια, πιστεύει ότι ο κάθε άνθρωπος έχει τη δική του ξεχωριστή ιστορία και τρόπο λειτουργίας, έτσι μέσα από μια σταθερή σχέση εμπιστοσύνης και ειλικρινούς επικοινωνίας μπορεί να υποστηριχθεί ουσιαστικά η θεραπευτική διαδικασία.