Health professionals for Psycotherapy LGBTQ in the Northern suburbs of Athens

Skylitsi Ioanna Mag.Phil., MEd is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist with over 30 years of experience supporting adults and couples, maintaining a private practice in Marousi. In her work, she creates a safe and meaningful space aimed at an in-depth understanding of the challenges affecting daily life, relationships, and internal balance. She has worked in Greece and Austria, both privately and within organized institutions, and for over ten years provided psychological support to women survivors of gender-based and domestic violence. She practices based on Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and the Systemic approach for couples. She offers in-person and online sessions in Greek and German.

Emmanouela-Marina Vintiadi was born and resides in Athens. She is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist. She has been trained in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy and continues her education through seminars, clinical groups, study groups, and individual and group supervision. Her postgraduate specialization is in Criminology. She has worked in psychosocial rehabilitation units, municipalities, and psychological support centers with adults, children, and socially vulnerable groups. Additionally, she has participated in research as a scientific collaborator and is a key speaker in webinars and conferences for the training of health professionals as well as for raising public awareness on mental health issues. She collaborates with the Day Center "Galini" of the Non-Profit Organization Prometheus as a psychologist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia, where she conducts in-person and online psychotherapy sessions for adults, adolescents, and couples.

Sessions available in English.

Panagiotis Tagaris holds an MSc and is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with private practices in Nea Filadelfeia and Neo Iraklio. He has extensive experience managing a wide range of clinical cases. He holds a BSc in Psychology from Panteion University, a BSc in Primary Education from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, an MSc in School Counseling and Guidance from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Cyprus, as well as an MSc in Educational Sciences from the University of the Aegean.

Additionally, he has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by the Society of Cognitive and Behavioral Studies, recognized by the European Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), and is a Certified Career Counselor (Certified Ariston Counsellor – CAS).

He works privately, providing individual psychotherapy sessions for adults, children, and adolescents with a broad spectrum of interpersonal difficulties (separation, grief), depression, anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Phobias), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and also offers parental counseling sessions.

He is employed as a Psychologist at the Ministry of Education, providing psychological support and counseling to students, educators, and families. He has many years of experience in mental health, education, and social service, actively participating in initiatives for the prevention of school bullying and adult education.

He has participated as a speaker in numerous conferences and training sessions and has been honored by the Hellenic Cardiological Society and the European Resuscitation Council for his longstanding contribution to the education of citizens and healthcare professionals in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Mariana Florou is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia. She is a distinguished graduate in Psychology from Panteion University (License number 2955/18-01-2019). Additionally, she is a distinguished graduate in Sociology from the same university. She has completed her studies in the four-year enriched systemic SANE model at the Institute of Education and Research in Systemic Psychotherapy - Logo Psychis, obtaining a diploma in psychotherapy recognized by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP). At the same institute, she has also completed a one-year training program in couples therapy. She regularly receives supervision and has undergone over ten years of personal therapy. She has completed a six-month internship in the psychiatric clinic of the 414 Military Hospital as a prerequisite for her undergraduate studies. Furthermore, as part of her specialization in psychotherapy, she completed a 30-month practical training in a psychologist’s office, where she actively participated in the therapeutic process of a psychotherapy group. Since 2019, she has been working in her private practice with adolescents, adults, couples, and families addressing a wide range of issues and difficulties. Additionally, she collaborates with a counseling and psychotherapy center as a psychotherapist for adults, families, and couples. Acknowledging the challenges of the contemporary era, the rapidly changing social landscape, as well as developments in psychology and neurosciences, she continues to attend various educational programs for her further professional development. Her aim is for the psychotherapeutic relationship to function as a reparative framework of safety, in which clients can discover silenced aspects of themselves and develop a revised perspective on themselves and their lives.

Lamprinopoulou Margarita is a Psychotherapist - Family Counselor and maintains a private practice in Marousi. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Open University of Edinburgh and a Bachelor in Art and Science from Deree College. She is a certified therapist in the "Walking in your shoes" method and has attended educational and experiential training seminars related to mental health at the Laboratory for the Exploration of Human Relations. She has served as a Trainer and Coordinator in numerous seminars and also participates voluntarily in many of them. Additionally, she has taken part in various conferences aimed at expanding her knowledge in her field. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Counseling Society and the European Counseling Association and is fluent in English and French.

Ioannidou Eri is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She is a graduate of Psychology from the University of Crete, holding a postgraduate degree in Forensic Psychology from Maastricht University in the Netherlands. Additionally, she is a Personal Coach specialized at the Athens Coaching Institute. In her private practice, she deals, among other matters, with cases requiring the involvement of a forensic psychologist and provides individual support as a personal coach. Concurrently, she teaches Forensic Psychology at Hellenic American University and is a Scientific Collaborator at the Crime Study Center (KE.M.E.). In the past, she has worked, among others, at the Cyber Crime Division of the Hellenic Police and at "Epano." Her research has focused on stress and occupational burnout among correctional officers, public attitudes and perceptions regarding corruption issues, knowledge and perceptions of psychology students concerning psychopathy, and she currently conducts research and professional work on mental resilience among frontline professionals. Finally, she has delivered a TEDx talk titled "Psychopath: Myths and Truths" and continues to actively participate in conferences, seminars, and professional associations, while authoring articles related to her field of expertise.

Bpokou Anastasia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Subsequently, she completed her postgraduate studies (MSc), earning a master's degree in Liaison Psychiatry from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. As part of her psychotherapeutic training, she participates in the Educational Program in Cognitive Psychotherapies at the Research University Institute of Mental Health (EPIΨY). She has also completed basic training in EMDR Therapy at TACT HELLAS as well as in the administration, interpretation, and scoring of diagnostic tools (WAIS-IV, WISC, SCID II, SCID-5, MMPI II). She has gained experience through her internship in Psychology and Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Institute for Rational Emotive and Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and collaborates with the Neurodevelopmental Disorders department of the 1st Psychiatric Clinic at Aeginiteio Hospital. Finally, she specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy and clinical psychology.

Maria Rapti is a Psychologist who has dedicated her professional career to psychology with a strong emphasis on Systemic Psychotherapy. Her studies began in 2009, and since then she has expanded her knowledge through specialized training and professional experience. Since 2024, she has been enrolled in a postgraduate program in Systemic Psychotherapy, while concurrently continuing her education at the Human Relations Laboratory. Previously, she completed a Bachelor of Science in Psychology (2020-2023), as well as studies in Counseling Psychology (2012-2014). Additionally, she holds an HND in Speech Therapy (2011-2012) and has completed a Foundation in Speech Therapy (2009). In her professional practice, since 2024 she has been providing online sessions and collaborating with a Neuropsychiatric Clinic, offering individual online psychotherapy. Prior to this, she completed an internship at the same clinic and worked with children with learning difficulties, providing counseling to parents. Her experience also includes internships at "Arogi" (KDAP-MEA), the "Exelixi" center with a focus on autism, as well as supporting bilingual children in an institution. She remains active in continuing professional development through seminars, including training on LGBTQ+ awareness and counseling issues, psychodrama, Art Therapy, and dramatherapy. Maria Rapti consistently seeks to develop her skills further in order to provide optimal support to her clients.

Η Αλεξοπούλου Άννα είναι Ψυχαναλύτρια-Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικά γραφεία στo Παρίσι και στην Αθήνα, όπου δέχεται ενήλικες και παιδιά. Είναι απόφοιτος του ιστορικού και μοναδικού τμήματος Ψυχανάλυσης παγκοσμίως στο Παρίσι (Master), Université Paris VIII Vincennes-Saint Denis, το οποίο ίδρυσε ο διάσημος ψυχαναλυτής και ψυχίατρος Jacques Lacan, και του ΦΠΨ (Kατεύθυνση Ψυχολογίας). Ειδικεύτηκε σε ψυχιατρικά νοσοκομεία και σε κέντρα ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης του Παρισιού για ενήλικες, γονείς, παιδιά και βρέφη. Συμμετέχει από το 2013 στην κλινική ομάδα της École de la Cause freudienne de Paris, όπου και εκπαιδεύτηκε δίπλα σε ψυχαναλυτές παγκοσμίου φήμης. Συνεργάζεται μαζί τους τα τελευταία χρόνια ως διοργανωτής σεμιναρίων και συνεδριών της ECF στο Παρίσι και της Παγκόσμιας Εταιρείας Ψυχανάλυσης (Association Mondiale de Psychanalyse). Στόχος της είναι η ανάδειξη της ενικότητας του συμπτώματος και της μοναδικότητας (της επιθυμίας) του κάθε υποκειμένου. Αντιμετωπίζει περιστατικά κατάθλιψης, τραυματικές εμπειρίες, κρίσεις πανικού και φοβίες, πένθος, αγχώδεις διαταραχές, προβλήματα διαπροσωπικών σχέσεων, θεραπεία ζεύγους, συμβουλευτική γονέων και παιδιών, παιδικό αυτισμό, αντιμετώπιση εθισμών και εξαρτήσεων. Συμμετέχει τακτικά σε συνέδρια στο εξωτερικό και μελέτες της έχουν δημοσιευτεί σε ξενόγλωσσα περιοδικά πάνω στο «ανησυχητικά ανοίκειο» συναίσθημα του S.Freud, την γλωσσική δομή του ασυνειδήτου, την διωκτική εμβέλεια του βλέμματος, την παραληρηματική δομή της γλώσσας, τις παραισθήσεις, τις ψυχοσωματικές διαταραχές, τη σχέση μελαγχολίας και μετουσίωσης, καθώς και την σχέση λογοτεχνίας και τρέλας. Οι συνεδρίες με παιδιά και εφήβους περιλαμβάνουν αρχικά προκαταρκτικές συνεδρίες με τους γονείς για να διευκρινιστούν οι δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζει το παιδί τους. Η υποστήριξη και η καθοδήγηση των γονιών είναι στόχος των συνεδριών. Oρισμένα γεγονότα, όπως δυσκολίες των νέων γονιών με το βρέφος, διαζύγιο, πένθος, δυσκολίες στο σχολικό περιβάλλον, συχνά περιλαμβάνουν συμπτώματα, όπως δυσκολία συγκέντρωσης, φοβίες, άγχος, μελαγχολικές σκέψεις, διαταραχές διατροφής και ύπνου, δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις. Οι συνεδρίες με παιδιά και βρέφη λαμβάνουν χώρα μέσα από το παιχνίδι, με βάση το πρότυπο της ψυχαναλυτικής προσέγγισης της Françoise Dolto, πρωτοπόρος στην ψυχαναναλυτική θεραπεία παίδων, όπου αντιμετωπίζονται ως μοναδικά υποκείμενα.

At the ARKESIS Mental Health Center, a comprehensive psychotherapeutic and psychiatric framework is offered for adults, adolescents, and children. Through the integration of psychodynamic/psychoanalytic approaches, systemic and group therapy, as well as specialized psychiatric support, a safe environment is created for recognizing individual needs, with the ultimate goal of personal development and mental well-being. Psychiatric services are also provided at the center. The founder of the center, Melina Arkesis Tzakou, based in Nea Ionia, Attica, provides mental health services as a Psychologist - Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist. She is a graduate of the European University Cyprus (EUC), a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society (BPS). Currently, she is completing her specialization in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (DIKEPSY) and a Master's degree in Applied Developmental Psychology at the Hellenic Open University. She has received additional training in Clinical Psychopathology and Clinical Skills at the Panagiotis Oulis Clinical Psychopathology program at EPIPSY. At the same time, she has been trained in Synthetic Approach Mental Health Counseling at the Athens Synthesis Centre. She is certified to administer projective tests such as TAT, CAT, Child Drawing Test, and the Rorschach Inkblot Test. Melina Arkesis Tzakou, together with her scientific team of experienced and qualified psychotherapists specializing in Systemic and Psychoanalytic approaches, achieves the appropriate provision of mental health services for adults, adolescents, couples, and parents. The team always operates under the supervision of Ms. Melina Arkesis Tzakou, who ensures the maintenance of scientific rigor, the proper therapeutic approach, and the uninterrupted progress of psychotherapies.

Nikoleta Ilda Vlassi is a Mental Health Counselor, Psychotherapist with a Integrative Approach,and Energy Healing Practitioner with over ten years of experience in personal development and psychosomatic balance. Her therapeutic journey began in adolescence, when in 1993 she was first introduced to the Silva Mind Control method, marking the start of a deep inner path of self-discovery that continues to this day. Since 2007, she has been an active member of a meditation group in Spain, where she deepens her practice in meditation and intuitive work, studying the unified science of the endouniverse developed by Jean-Paul Appel-Guerry. Her approach is holistic and integrative, combining elements of psychotherapy with energy techniques, guided meditation, psychospiritual shamanism, and experiential ritual practices. She draws inspiration from the work of Alejandro Jodorowsky and his psychospiritual shamanism, as well as from approaches such as systemic constellations and drama therapy, while also integrating the power of art, expression, and the body as tools for inner processing and healing.Born in Greece to a father from Corfu and a mother from Ecuador, she developed early on a multicultural and expansive perspective on human and spiritual development. She has lived and traveled in multiple countries, and for a period ran a meditation center in Ecuador, coordinating both in-person and online groups with participants from Latin American countries including Mexico, Peru, and Argentina. She has also been active in the arts through music, singing, theater, and performance, integrating creative expression into her therapeutic work. Today, she offers individual psychotherapy and energy sessions, guided meditations, and experiential self-awareness practices, both online and in-person, supporting individuals from diverse cultural and personal backgrounds on their journey toward mental balance and personal growth.

Dimitriou Tatiana MSc, PhD is a Neuroscientist with a private practice in Chalandri. She holds a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a postgraduate specialization diploma in Occupational Psychology with a focus on Vocational Guidance for Adolescents & Adults from Kingston University, London. She earned her PhD from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in Dementia, and has experience in the diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, as well as in the cognitive strengthening of her patients. In her private practice, she provides specialized solutions tailored to her patients' needs, addressing a wide range of disorders including anxiety disorders, panic attacks, phobias, obsessive-compulsive disorders, grief management, and depression. Group counseling sessions are also available on topics related to obsessive-compulsive disorders, phobias, relationship issues, family matters, and sexual orientation concerns.

Vaitsou Dimitra is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Neo Irakleio. She holds a degree in Psychology from Athens Metropolitan College and the University of Preston in the United States. During her studies, she attended the HND Edexcel Success through qualifications BTEC Higher National Diploma program, European Educational Organization care practice. Simultaneously, she received additional training in Systemic - Family Psychotherapy through the four-year program at the "Laboratory of Human Relationships Exploration." In her professional career, she has collaborated with "The Smile of the Child," providing psychological and moral support to children; continued as a scientific associate at the "Bioanelixi" Center, heading the Counseling Psychology department by conducting individual sessions and group workshops on self-awareness, self-image, and self-esteem. Additionally, she worked as a coordinator for self-awareness groups and educational seminars at the Alternative Wellness Center "Sharmilla," provided individual counseling and family therapy at the Municipal Polyclinics of Lykovrysi, and at the Day Care and Daytime Care Center for people with disabilities in the Prefecture of Fthiotida. To date, she delivers educational lectures and seminars in schools, addressing parents, children, and educators.

Eleni Yoldasi is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Kifisia. With specialization in Person-Centered Psychotherapy, she offers a safe and supportive environment for personal development, self-awareness, and enhancement of mental well-being. Her goal is to help clients discover their potential, focusing on the values and needs that lead to an authentic and fulfilling life.

She completed her studies in Psychology at the **University of Essex** and is currently completing her training in **Person-Centered and Focusing-Oriented Counseling & Psychotherapy** at the **Hellenic Focusing Centre**. In parallel, she holds a diploma in **Health and Wellness Coaching** from the **International Authority for Professional Coaching & Mentoring**, while she continuously expands her knowledge with courses in philosophy, focusing on fundamental questions concerning life and human existence.

**Person-Centered Psychotherapy** is a therapeutic approach developed by **Carl Rogers** in the 20th century. Its core idea is that every individual has the potential to grow and resolve their issues when they feel accepted and understood. The therapist does not guide or judge the client but supports them with empathy and unconditional positive regard. This allows the client to explore their emotions, thoughts, and concerns in a safe space.

The therapy focuses on the person and their needs, rather than on the problem or diagnosis. The essence lies in the development of a genuine and honest relationship between therapist and client, which enables the latter to discover their own solutions and strengthen their self-esteem. Person-Centered Psychotherapy believes that we all possess the capacity for self-actualization and to live a life that truly satisfies us, as long as we have the appropriate environment of support and understanding.