Health professionals for Phobias near Saranta Ekklisies

Athanasiou–Diamantopoulou Sofia is a Psychologist – Systemic Family Psychotherapist and runs a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a License to Practice as a Psychologist (Protocol Number 206602/4509). Wanting to further expand her knowledge and strengthen her professional tools, she specialized in Systemic & Family Psychotherapy, completing the four-year program at the Institute of Systemic Approach & Family Therapy.

Her main goal is to provide services on an individual level, as well as to systems such as couples, families, and organizations. Since she believes that knowledge should be continuous and multifaceted, she chose to deepen her expertise in Human Rights issues and obtained her Master’s degree in Human Rights & Migration Studies from the University of Macedonia.

Through her professional experience, she has worked with trauma, grief and loss management, depression, anxiety disorders, as well as relationship issues. During 2016–2017, she volunteered at the Child Psychiatry Department of the Community Mental Health Center of Eastern Thessaloniki, as well as at the Municipal Nursery “Agios Stylianos,” where she worked with children and families, while also participating in coordinating groups for teachers.

Since 2017, she has worked in various settings, providing Mental Health services to socially vulnerable groups, both in local and international NGOs, as well as international organizations such as the International Organization for Migration. Since 2023, she has been working as a Mental Health Specialist in corporate environments, with a focus on trauma, burnout, and everyday challenges, aiming to enhance resilience and employees’ well-being, alongside maintaining her private practice.

Aivazidou Kalliopi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist specializing in Systemic Family Therapy. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of East London and a master's diploma in Clinical and Community Psychology from the same university. Previously, she has also worked as a Kindergarten Teacher, as her first cycle of studies was in the Department of Early Childhood Education at the University of Thessaly. Both of her professional focuses center on children. Having attended relevant postgraduate programs and conferences, as well as having worked with children, she undertakes the conduct of counseling sessions for children and adolescents, as well as parent counseling and Family Psychotherapy.

Martzivanou Maria is a certified Psychotherapist in Person-Centered Therapy, Focusing Experiential Therapy, as well as Existential Therapy, with a private practice in Thessaloniki. She has specialized in Positive Psychology and Medical Psychology, focusing on understanding the relationship between the mind and body, the psychosomatic expression of trauma, and the needs of individuals living with chronic or acute physical pain. Through extensive training and experiential practice, she has successfully integrated Western psychology with Eastern philosophy, building bridges between the mind, body, and spirit. Her approach honors the human existence as a whole, which does not need to be “fixed” but to find a space where it can be heard, to feel, and to unfold. She has provided voluntary services in social institutions such as the YMCA of Thessaloniki and the orphanage "Agios Stylianos." Finally, she is specialized in EFT Couples Therapy, Trauma Therapy and Psychosomatic Pain Treatment, Psychotherapy & Diagnosis of Adults with ADHD, Eating Disorders, and Nonviolent Communication (NVC).

Poleni Marina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has subsequently completed postgraduate studies (MSc) in Counseling Psychology at the University of Thessaly. As part of her ongoing professional development in the field of Psychology, she continuously attends seminars and conferences. She has worked as a Psychologist in various institutions in Athens and Thessaloniki, such as the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) "Zeuxis" and the Therapeutic Center for Dependent Individuals - KETHEA Strofi. With a focus on continuous training and appropriately responding to the psychological needs of individuals, she has been providing professional support to adults and adolescents since 2019. Consistency, respect, and collaboration are characteristics of her professional identity.

Kougioumtzidou Zografia is a Psychologist who operates a private practice in Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of the University of East London External Department Metropolitan College and holds a professional practice license. She completed her postgraduate studies focusing on Clinical and Community Psychology and trained in Group Psychotherapy. She has participated in scientific conferences and workshops as a presenter and speaker. She worked for 15 years in hospitals in Thessaloniki as an association collaborator, providing support to patients and their family members. This valuable experience allowed her to establish direct connections with people, understand the diverse issues individuals face in their lives, and address them with outstanding success. In the therapeutic relationship, she considers respect for the individual, deep empathy for psychological pain, and compassion for others to be non-negotiable elements. At her private office in the center of Thessaloniki, she offers individual and couple sessions as well as online sessions in Greece and abroad.

Η Αναστασία Βαρβάρα είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια με εξειδίκευση στις αγχώδεις διαταραχές σε ενήλικες, εφήβους και παιδιά. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Θεσσαλονίκη παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ψυχοθεραπείας και συμβουλευτικής δια-ζώσης και διαδικτυακά. Είναι απόφοιτος Ψυχολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης και κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου στην Ψυχολογία Παιδιού και Εφήβου από το Πανεπιστήμιο Greenwich του Λονδίνου. Ειδικεύεται στη Γνωστική- Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία (CBT), μια επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη προσέγγιση με υψηλή αποτελεσματικότητα στην αντιμετώπιση αγχωδών διαταραχών, όπως κρίσεις πανικού, γενικευμένο άγχος, φοβίες, ψυχαναγκαστική-καταναγκαστική διαταραχή και κοινωνικό άγχος. Παράλληλα, υποστηρίζει θεραπευόμενους σε ένα ευρύ φάσμα δυσκολιών, όπως διαταραχές διάθεσης, διατροφικές δυσκολίες, νευροαναπτυξιακές διαταραχές (όπως ΔΕΠΥ και αυτισμός) και δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις. Βρίσκεται σε συνεχιζόμενη εκπαίδευση στο τετραετές πρόγραμμα της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Γνωστικής Συμπεριφορικής Ψυχοθεραπείας, πιστοποιημένο από την Ευρωπαϊκή Εταιρεία Συμπεριφορικών και Γνωστικών Θεραπειών (EABCT). Έχει σημαντική επαγγελματική εμπειρία στο Λονδίνο, όπου εργάστηκε σε μη κυβερνητικές οργανώσεις και στο Εθνικό Σύστημα Υγείας της Αγγλίας (NHS), παρέχοντας ατομική και ομαδική ψυχοθεραπεία, καθώς και συμβουλευτική υποστήριξη σε ενήλικες και παιδιά, με βάση τα πλέον σύγχρονα θεραπευτικά μοντέλα της CBT(Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy). Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, έχει εξειδικευτεί στην αξιολόγηση και διαχείριση συναισθηματικών κρίσεων, διαπροσωπικών δυσκολιών και περιστατικών βίας σε παιδιατρικό και εφηβικό πληθυσμό, λαμβάνοντας εντατική κλινική εποπτεία. Κατά τη διάρκεια της επαγγελματικής της πορείας, έχει συνεργαστεί με Κέντρα Ειδικών Θεραπειών στη Θεσσαλονίκη, υποστηρίζοντας παιδιά με νευρο-αναπτυξιακές διαταραχές όπως ΔΕΠΥ και φάσμα του αυτισμού και τις οικογένειες τους. Δίνει ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στη δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς, εμπιστευτικού και υποστηρικτικού θεραπευτικού πλαισίου, ενώ παράλληλα διασφαλίζει την ποιότητα των υπηρεσιών της μέσω συνεχούς επιμόρφωσης, συμμετέχοντας σε διεθνή επιστημονικά συνέδρια του Ευρωπαϊκού φορέα Γνωστικών-Συμπεριφορικών θεραπειών.

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.

Olympia Xalikiopoulou is a Psychologist licensed to practice, with postgraduate specializations in Clinical Neuropsychology and Neurosciences from Leiden University in the Netherlands and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, respectively. Over the past decade, she has been professionally active in Thessaloniki, where she maintains a private practice. She has worked with adolescents and children with neurodevelopmental difficulties within the framework of psychosocial support, as well as with adults facing issues related to anxiety, phobias, relationship problems, and psychosomatic symptoms. Currently, she practices privately, providing individual sessions for adults. In her clinical practice, she employs an integrative model, incorporating techniques and methodologies from the main psychotherapeutic approaches as well as principles from neuroscience in order to offer personalized support plans tailored to each individual. Additionally, she maintains a long-term collaboration with a private educational institution as a Psychology instructor. In 2017, she obtained certification in Greek Sign Language (GSL) from the Hellenic Federation of the Deaf, ensuring equal access to mental health services.

Stergiou - Stamou Stella is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Thessaloniki, providing psychotherapeutic and counseling services to adults, couples, and families. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a focus on social-clinical psychology. She participated in the clinical training program of the 1st University Psychiatric Clinic of Papageorgiou Hospital. Subsequently, she completed her three-year training in systemic psychotherapy and counseling at the Systemic Institute of Thessaloniki. She is a member of the Greek Psychologists Association with registration number 2692, as well as the Systemic Society of Northern Greece. She holds a professional license to practice psychology throughout Greece since 2013. She has maintained a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki since 2016 and has also offered her services voluntarily at various institutions, such as the Mental Health Center of the Western Sector and the Thessaloniki Social Clinic. Additionally, the specialist has been trained and has a particular interest in issues such as depression, phobias, anxiety - panic attacks, psychosomatic disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress, personality disorders, among others. She also deals with problems arising in the context of family and work, as well as couple-related issues. Finally, she has participated and continues to participate in psychology and psychotherapy workshops and conferences, aiming to stay continuously updated with developments in the mental health field.

Papaioannou Giouli is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist for adults, children, and adolescents, maintaining a private practice in Thessaloniki at 3 Grigoriou Palama Street (City Center). She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a Master's degree (MSc) in Child & Adolescent Mental Health from King's College London, UK.

She has received further training in Postmodern Systemic Approaches, such as Narrative Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and the Collaborative-Dialogical Approach, at the Solution-Focused Therapy Center "Bienestar" in Thessaloniki. Additionally, she has completed a two-year cycle of Introductory Lectures on Psychoanalytic Practice at the Northern Greece Psychoanalytic Society (NGPS). Finally, she participates in the Annual Infant Observation Seminar of the same institution (NGPS), which includes weekly infant observation within the family environment and participation in a supervision group for understanding early mental mechanisms and non-verbal communication.

She possesses extensive clinical experience, having worked in various settings and organizations for children, adolescents, and adults in both the UK and Greece. Her most recent engagement involved supporting students and staff at the American College of Thessaloniki (ACT).

She receives ongoing supervision and personal analysis.

Mermigkakis Nikolaos BSc, MSc is a licensed Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He graduated with honors in Psychology from DeVry University and holds a master's degree in Integrative Counseling - Psychotherapy from the University of East London. Additionally, he trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy through the Hellenic Society for Research and Behavioral Therapy and in Art Therapy at Psychology - Art, Center for Psychotherapy and Education. Furthermore, he is a member of the British Psychological Society and the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research and has participated in conferences as well as training workshops on various psychotherapeutic approaches.

Xristou A Maria Kai Synergates is an Psychotherapist - Art Therapist specializing in Counseling Psychotherapy for children and adults, and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She specializes in therapy and counseling for children, adults, and families, utilizing Art Therapy and Sandplay therapy methods. These two methods can be used in combination with Counseling Psychotherapy to maximize therapeutic outcomes. She obtained her master's degree in Expressive Psychotherapy in 2000 from Lesley University in Cambridge, United States. Since then, she has worked for over ten years as an Art Therapist both in the USA and Greece. Specifically, from 1989 to 2004, she worked at organizations including Summer Camp Organization (Stockholm, Sweden), Alsten School (Stockholm, Sweden), Ilex / Vinfen Corporation (Massachusetts, USA), Arlington Youth Counseling Center (Massachusetts, USA), YWCA (X.E.N., Maryland, USA), North Charles Inc., Mental Health & Addiction Services (Massachusetts, USA), and Turnaround Inc. (Baltimore, Maryland, USA). The specialist speaks Greek, Swedish, and English. She is a certified Art Therapist by the US Art Therapy Credentials Board and a member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association and the Swedish Family Therapy Association.

Samara Anastasia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed her postgraduate studies with distinction in “Clinical Mental Health” (M.Sc. Clinical Mental Health) at the School of Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During her postgraduate studies, she had the opportunity to conduct her thesis research in the field of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders and to participate in research groups. Additionally, she has specialized in Person-Centered and Focusing Experiential Counseling Psychotherapy through the completion of the four-year program at the Hellenic Center for Focusing. During her studies and as part of her internship, she gained experience working in various settings, including the acute ward III of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, the 2nd University Clinic of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, the Social Service of the Hellenic Youth Association of Thessaloniki, the Non-Governmental Organization “METAdrasi,” and lifelong learning centers and educational institutions, where she coordinated parent groups. In recent years, she has been working as a Psychologist at the Non-Governmental Organization “ARSIS,” where she supports adults and adolescents from diverse social groups.

Panagiotidou Anna is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist licensed to practice and maintains a private office in the center of Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology. She has completed four years of training in Gestalt psychotherapy. She is trained in administering psychometric and neuropsychological instruments as well as personality tests and children's drawing assessments. She maintains continuous involvement with scientific conferences, experiential workshops, and seminars. Ms. Panagiotidou has served as a scientific collaborator at the 1st Psychiatric – University Clinic of Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki and as a coordinator of mentally ill patients’ groups. She has volunteered services for the Women's Shelter and the social service of the YWCA. In the past, she has researched topics such as postpartum depression, stress during pregnancy, nutrition in psychology, music therapy and dance therapy, addictions, and sexuality. She worked as a psychologist with children, adolescents, and parents from 2017 to 2022, then in the addiction sector and therapeutically with groups. Currently, she works with adults in her private practice and maintains close collaboration with a psychiatrist for cases requiring pharmacological intervention. Issues addressed include mood disorders, anxiety, panic attacks, relationship issues, medically unexplained physical symptoms, eating and body image concerns, anger management, hyperactivity and attention deficit, sleep disorders, psychoses, emotional/physical/sexual abuse and trauma, psychosexual difficulties. Individuals may seek therapy motivated by self-improvement/self-awareness. Online remote psychotherapy is offered when deemed necessary.

Loizos Nikos is a Clinical Psychologist who maintains a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. He is a graduate of the Psychology Department of Panteion University. He completed his postgraduate studies in medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a specialization in "Clinical Mental Health," through which he has acquired extensive knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the human mind and mental functions. Additionally, he is in the process of completing his training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), aiming to obtain official certification as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. His knowledge of psychopathology and mental disorders qualifies him as a competent therapist capable of providing reliable and valid diagnoses. This is exceptionally important for the implementation of effective treatment. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, he possesses all necessary knowledge, research-backed techniques, and management strategies for comprehensive and effective intervention across a wide range of mental disorders. Research has shown that CBT is the most effective therapeutic method compared to other therapeutic approaches. It is a short-term therapy, typically lasting 3 to 4 months on average, depending on the nature of the difficulties and the needs of the client. His goal is to help those who trust him find functional ways to manage their difficulties. A key concern of his is to develop a strong therapeutic relationship with his clients, based on understanding, empathy, and compassion. He strives to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where individuals can openly express their concerns and collaborate towards improving their mental health and overall quality of life.