Health professionals for Psychotherapy Online in Athens

Petra Sara is a Mental Health Counselor and Social Worker with experience in supporting individuals facing daily life challenges. She holds a degree from PADΑ (Former Technological Educational Institute of Athens). Since 2021, she has been undergoing further training at the Athens Center for Human Studies (AKMA) as a systemic psychotherapist. She works as a social worker in a mental health unit with individuals suffering from schizophrenia and concurrently manages her own cases through video calls and in person on specific days. Her goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and confidential environment.

Gianneli Mara is a Psychologist - certified Systemic Psychotherapist and holds a professional practice license. She studied Psychology at Panteion University and is pursuing her postgraduate studies in the Human Resources Management department at the University of Northampton, UK. She has attended seminars on stress management, eating disorders, and positive psychology. She has worked in initiatives and organizations with individuals on the autism spectrum, as well as with mental health disorders. She provides online sessions to adolescents, adults, as well as couples and families.

Karakosta Arianna is a Psychotherapist trained in the Systemic-Family approach at the Athens Center for Human Education. In her clinical practice, she provides individual psychotherapy to adolescents and adults with anxiety and emotional difficulties, identity issues, as well as couples therapy and parental counseling. She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Vassar College in the United States and her Master of Science degree in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the United Kingdom. Since 1996, she has been teaching Psychology in the International Baccalaureate program at the Athens College and other schools, possessing extensive experience in supporting adolescents and coordinating empowerment groups. Concurrently, she has practical experience from the Nea Irakleio Medical-Pedagogical Center in the psychological and learning assessment of children and adolescents. She consistently follows developments in her field by participating in educational seminars and conferences organized by the Hellenic Society of Psychoanalysis (HSP), Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy Association (PPAA), the Galinos Institute of Mental Health, and Deree College. She conducts psychotherapy sessions in both Greek and English, offering a safe and supportive space for exploring the self, relationships, and personal identity, with respect for the uniqueness of each individual.

Galani Ioanna is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist (MSc, LCMFT) with studies and professional experience in the USA, University of Maryland, College Park, providing support to adults, couples, families, and adolescents. She maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi and specializes in couples and family therapy, management of anxiety and depressive symptomatology, personality disorders, family trauma, as well as a wide range of relational issues such as difficulties in communication and emotional connection, commitment, conflicts, infidelity, divorce, and premarital counseling. Additionally, she handles cases of parental counseling for those needing support in managing parental anxiety and guilt, differences in parenting styles, boundary setting within the family system, and adolescent management. Furthermore, she is a trainee psychoanalytic group psychotherapist at the Hellenic Society of Psychoanalytic Group Psychotherapy (EEPSYO) and a member of the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA). She has worked as a Senior Research Assistant under the supervision of American psychologist Michele Gelfand on issues of cross-cultural psychology. She integrates internationally recognized models always adapted to the needs and cultural background of each client, couple, or family. She holds a professional license to practice in the state of Maryland, USA. She offers sessions in Greek and English, within a safe, professional, and supportive framework, where clients can feel trust and achieve meaningful personal growth. Lastly, the specialist holds certifications in Gottman Level 1, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), Prepare-Enrich, Discernment Counseling, and EFT (externship).

Η Ζαχάρη Σοφία - Μαρία είναι Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια, Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας με ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Γαλάτσι. Είναι μέλος της Συμβουλευτικής Ελληνικής Εταιρείας και της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Ομαδικής Ανάλυσης & Ψυχοθεραπείας και Ελληνική Ομαδική Αναλυτική “ΚΟΙΝΩΝΙΑ” . Μετά το πέρας των σπουδών της στην Φιλολογία στο Εθνικό Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών ακολούθησε τριετείς μεταπτυχιακές εξειδικεύσεις στην Ψυχαναλυτική και Ομαδική θεραπεία, στην Ψυχοδυναμική Γιουγκιανή Προσέγγιση μέσω των Τεχνών, στη Δραματοθεράπεια και το Ψυχόδραμα. Έχει αποκτήσει πολύτιμη πείρα ως Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια σε ομαδικές συνεδρίες και ατομικές από το 2019 έως και σήμερα στην Θεραπευτική Κοινότητα ΚΥΨΕΛΗ αλλά και στο ιδιωτικό της γραφείο. “Βλέπω μέσα από τα μάτια σου και βλέπεις μέσα από τα μάτια μου” Jakob Moreno . Η φράση του J. Moreno (ιδρυτή του ψυχοδράματος) αποκρυσταλλώνει πλήρως τη θεραπευτική σχέση που αναπτύσσεται μεταξύ θεραπευτή και θεραπευόμενου. Η ατομική ψυχοθεραπεία αλλά και η ομαδική είναι από τις πιο σημαντικές και ουσιαστικές συναντήσεις για τη ζωή ενός ατόμου, καθώς περιβάλλεται από ασφάλεια, αποδοχή, έμπνευση, εκτίμηση και ελευθερία. Ο κάθε θεραπευόμενος ανακαλύπτει ένα χώρο αποδοχής, ενσυναίσθησης, αυθορμητισμού, αυτοανάπτυξης και κρατάει τις ώρες δράσης με τον θεραπευτή του για ένα μεγάλο μέρος της ζωής του,ίσως και για πάντα, σαν σημείο αναφοράς για τις αλλαγές που κατέκτησε μέσω αυτής της διαδικασίας. Με την μέθοδο του Ψυχοδράματος οι συμμετέχοντες συχνά καλούνται να φέρουν πραγματικές εμπειρίες της ζωής στην ψυχοδραματοθεραπευτική σκηνή ανάγοντας αυτές σε «μια μορφή θεάτρου», έτσι αναβιώνοντας ελεγχόμενα αυτά που έχουν συμβεί ή συμβαίνουν στην ζωή τους, επεξεργάζονται τα βαθύτερα τραύματα και τις αγωνίες με την μορφή της διορθωτικής εμπειρίας στο εδώ και στο τώρα. Κατέχει πιστοποιήσεις και μετεκπαιδεύεις στη Ψυχοθεραπεία Μέσω Τεχνών με την Γιουγκιανή προσέγγιση και στην Γιουγκιανή Δραματοθεράπεια από το Ελληνικό Κέντρο Επιμόρφωσης Μέσω Τεχνών. Εκπαιδεύεται στο Ψυχόδραμα (πενταετής εκπαίδευση) μέσω του Federation of European Psychodrama Training Organizations FEPTO στην Ελληνική Εταιρεία Ομαδικής Ανάλυσης και Ψυχοθεραπείας . Κατέχει Certificate of attending "Psychodance" από την Hellinic Association of Group Analysis & Phychoterapy and Hellinic Group-Analytic "Koinonia" . Certificate of attending "Psychogenealogy and Transgenerational Psychodrama" από την Hellenic Association of Group Analysis & Psychotherapy and Hellenic Group - Analytic 'Koinonia' Certificate of attending "The Transformative Wisdom of Dreams"Hellenic Association of Group Analysis & Psychotherapy and Hellenic Group - Analytic 'Koinonia'

Dimitra Sigala is a Psychologist, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete, a final-year student of the postgraduate program “Forensic Psychiatry” at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and holds a professional license to practice psychology.

She has completed the annual postgraduate seminars in Clinical Psychopathology and Clinical Skills in Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis," as well as training in the administration of the Structured Clinical Interview SCID I, organized by the First Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens.

In parallel with her studies, she has attended part of the training program in Cognitive Psychotherapies offered by the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Psychotherapies, and she is a trainee Systemic Psychotherapist. Additionally, she has been trained in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy through the Eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model in Staffordshire, England.

Her professional experience has enabled her to work in a clinical setting managing suicidal thoughts and self-destructive behaviors, as well as providing psychotherapy and counseling to adults.

She has gained clinical experience working as a volunteer psychologist in social therapeutic programs within psychiatric facilities, such as the Day Hospital Center of the Research University Mental Health Institute (E.P.I.PSY.), Rethymno Hospital, among others.

The Center for Specialized Therapies Development of Speech and Work is located in Kaisariani, with the scientific director being Special Educator Kentro Eidikon Therapeion Anaptyksi Logou Kai Ergou. The Center is staffed by highly trained therapists with many years of experience, covering a wide range to provide a more effective approach and treatment for each individual patient. Specifically, the team includes a Speech Therapist, Mental Health Counselor, Special Educator, and Occupational Therapist, offering personalized therapeutic programs tailored to the needs of each person with respect for their personality and particularities. Some of the services provided at the Center for Specialized Therapies Development of Speech and Work include the treatment of articulation and phonological disorders, addressing learning difficulties, autism, ADHD, as well as psychological support and counseling for children and adolescents.

Arapi Xristina is a Clinical Psychologist and Psychodynamic Psychotherapist. She graduated with distinction from the Department of Applied Psychology at the University of Derby and completed her Master's degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of East London.

Subsequently, she trained in Systemic Therapy at the Hellenic Institute of Human Relations, and in psychodynamic and psychoanalytic therapy at DIKEPSY and the Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society, completing an internship at the 251 Air Force General Hospital.

Concurrently, she completed her training in Art Therapy at the Hellenic Center for Art and Psychotherapy.

Finally, she has pursued specialized training in three particularly human fields that often remain on the periphery of psychological care: Criminology, Special Education, and Giftedness, through the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), applying the latter by coordinating, as a member of Greek Mensa, the corresponding special interest group.

With over ten years of experience in psychotherapeutic practice, she has worked both privately and within institutions (psychiatric clinics, mental health facilities, and therapeutic groups).

Alongside individual sessions, she coordinates personal development groups and psychodynamic therapy groups (group therapy).

She continues to actively participate in scientific conferences and seminars, aiming for ongoing education, maintaining the belief that the boundaries of scientific knowledge, like those of human beings, are nearly inexhaustible.

Particular emphasis is placed on confidentiality, safety, and freedom of expression within the therapeutic framework, because above all, psychotherapy is a relationship governed by authenticity. Therefore, the value of this relationship always remains at the core, as the foundation of any meaningful change.

Potsis Georgios is a Psychotherapist (trainee) - Mental Health Counselor and maintains a private practice in Galatsi. He has completed the Professional Diploma in Therapeutic Counselling from ICPS College (Pearson Edexcel). Subsequently, he specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the European Institute of Counselling and Psychotherapy (EICP) and is continuing with a comprehensive 4-year training program at the Institute of Synthetic - Systemic Therapy of Thessaloniki, where he specializes in Synthetic - Systemic Psychotherapy. He has also completed a one-year study program in School Psychology. He actively participates in seminars and workshops focused on mental health. He has worked in private counseling and specialized therapy centers, as well as volunteering at NGOs that provide psychosocial support to adolescents and adults. Currently, he offers individual sessions online, providing flexibility and convenience, thereby facilitating access for individuals from all over Greece and abroad.

Danai Kousta is a Psychologist - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist for adults, adolescents, and young adults, maintaining a private practice in Zografou while also working as a school psychologist. She holds a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Master's degree from the Medical School of Athens in "Promotion of Mental Health – Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders." She has received training in Psychoanalytic Theory and Practice in the "Epekeina – Psychoanalytic Practice" program, where she is also a collaborating member. She has conducted scientific work at Aeginiteio Hospital as an external collaborator of the Personality Disorders Unit and the Psychological Laboratory. Finally, she has worked in secondary education as well as in KEDASY (Centers for Differentiated Diagnosis, Diagnosis, and Support).

Liliopoulou Vasiliki is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Neos Kosmos. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and specializes in Systemic Therapy from the "Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations." Additionally, she has received advanced training in Trauma Therapy through the EMDR method. She is also trained in the administration and evaluation of psychometric tools from the Peristeri Mental Health Center. To date, she has worked both voluntarily and in paid positions within Mental Health organizations as well as in her private practice, accumulating extensive experience in issues related to phobias, depression, low self-esteem, psychosomatic symptoms, emotional difficulties, loss and grief management, and anxiety disorders. Currently, in her private practice, she provides specialized services in individual, family, and group psychotherapy, as well as counseling for couples and parents. She is a member of the Hellenic Psychologists' Association, the Hellenic Society of Systemic Therapy (ELESYTH), and EMDR Hellas. Furthermore, she actively participates in conferences and scientific workshops to ensure her comprehensive training and continuous professional development.

Marina Cresta is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist, holding a Bachelor’s in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology & Psychotherapy. She completed her clinical training at Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens, Attikon University General Hospital, and the 6th Municipal Medical Center of Athens, gaining experience in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges and chronic health conditions.

She has been trained in group therapy by the Hellenic Society for Existential Psychology and actively participates in seminars and conferences across various therapeutic approaches. Her work integrates psychodynamic thinking with an existential and person-centered stance, always tailoring the therapeutic process to each individual's unique needs.

In her sessions, she emphasizes building a relationship based on trust and authentic connection, providing a safe space where individuals feel heard, understood, and accepted.

Η Γεωργία Σαλάκου είναι Ψυχολόγος με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος και απόφοιτη του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό χώρο, όπου παρέχει ατομικές συνεδρίες σε ενήλικες και εφήβους.

Εκπαιδεύεται στη Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεία στα Σύγχρονα Αμφιαράεια σε συνεργασία με το Πανεπιστήμιο Κρήτης. Παράλληλα, έχει ολοκληρώσει μονοετή εκπαίδευση στο Ψυχικό Τραύμα και την Ψυχική Ανθεκτικότητα, καθώς και επιμορφώσεις στο Mindfulness και στη Σωματική Ψυχοθεραπεία. Η συνεχής επιστημονική κατάρτιση και η κλινική εποπτεία αποτελούν σταθερά στοιχεία της επαγγελματικής της εξέλιξης.

Η επαγγελματική της εμπειρία περιλαμβάνει συνεργασίες με τον ΟΚΑΝΑ και τη Μέριμνα, καθώς και με το Κέντρο Ημέρας «Franco Basaglia» της Εταιρείας Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης και Ψυχικής Υγείας (Ε.Π.Α.Ψ.Υ.). Παράλληλα, έχει εργαστεί σε σχολικό πλαίσιο, αποκτώντας εμπειρία στην ψυχολογική υποστήριξη παιδιών και εφήβων. Η εμπειρία της περιλαμβάνει ακόμη τη συμβουλευτική γονέων, την ψυχολογική αξιολόγηση και την υποστήριξη παιδιών με διαφορετικές αναπτυξιακές και συναισθηματικές ανάγκες. Έχει επίσης συνεργαστεί με ψυχαναλυτικό γραφείο, συμμετέχοντας σε κλινική πρακτική και εποπτεία.

Η θεραπευτική της προσέγγιση βασίζεται στις αρχές της Συνθετικής Ψυχοθεραπείας, η οποία αντλεί στοιχεία από διαφορετικές ψυχοθεραπευτικές κατευθύνσεις και επιτρέπει τη διαμόρφωση της θεραπευτικής διαδικασίας με βάση τις ανάγκες, την προσωπικότητα και τη μοναδική ιστορία κάθε ανθρώπου. Δίνει ιδιαίτερη σημασία στην κατανόηση όχι μόνο των δυσκολιών που εμφανίζονται στο παρόν, αλλά και των βαθύτερων συναισθηματικών και σχεσιακών μοτίβων που μπορεί να επαναλαμβάνονται στη ζωή του ατόμου. Η διερεύνηση προηγούμενων εμπειριών και σημαντικών σχέσεων μπορεί να συμβάλει στην κατανόηση του τρόπου με τον οποίο σχετιζόμαστε σήμερα με τους άλλους και με τον εαυτό μας.

Κεντρική θέση στη θεραπευτική της δουλειά έχει η σχέση που διαμορφώνεται ανάμεσα στον θεραπευόμενο και τον θεραπευτή. Μέσα σε ένα πλαίσιο ασφάλειας, αποδοχής και εμπιστοσύνης, ο θεραπευόμενος έχει τον χώρο να εκφράσει και να διερευνήσει ελεύθερα όσα τον απασχολούν, ακόμη και όταν αυτά δεν είναι εύκολο να κατανοηθούν ή να αποτυπωθούν σε λέξεις.

Στόχος της θεραπευτικής διαδικασίας είναι η βαθύτερη κατανόηση του εαυτού, των αναγκών και των τρόπων με τους οποίους το άτομο σχετίζεται και αντιμετωπίζει τις εμπειρίες της ζωής του. Μέσα από αυτή τη διαδικασία μπορεί σταδιακά να επεξεργαστεί τις δυσκολίες που το απασχολούν και να αναπτύξει νέους, περισσότερο λειτουργικούς τρόπους κατανόησης και διαχείρισής τους.