Health professionals for Psycotherapy LGBTQ near Exarcheia

Pararas Polyvios has 26 years of experience as a Psychologist. He studied psychology at the University of Athens and subsequently received further training in Cognitive Therapy at I.E.TH.S. He has also been trained in early intervention for autism and in the diagnosis and rehabilitation of learning disabilities at DIKEPSY, as well as in Clinical Psychopathology at EPIPSY. He served as a scientific collaborator at the Medical School of Athens and worked at Aeginiteio Hospital in the specialized Crisis Intervention Clinic. He then worked in home care for severe mental disorders at the non-profit organization Anodos. He has also worked at the Naval Hospital of Salamis, in the Preventive Mental Health Office of the Navy, in the Municipality of Naxos, in the Child Psychiatry Clinics Galinos, in the daycare centers of D.E.H., and at the speech therapy center KADMOS. During the 2023-2024 period, he collaborated with ICPA in the internship of students from the University of Athens and New York College. In the academic year 2024-2025, he was certified in Sports Psychology by the University of Athens. He is a volunteer Sports Psychologist for the Euroleague, participating in the Olympiacos Piraeus basketball team ONE TEAM. Concurrently, he specialized in Adolescent Crisis at IPSYPE from 2024 to 2025. He maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi.

Elisavet Diakatou BSc, MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Ilisia, Athens. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Department of Social Sciences at the University of Greenwich, UK, and a master's degree in Developmental Psychology from Lancaster University, UK. The therapeutic approach adopted by the specialist is Systemic Psychotherapy, with particular expertise in individual psychotherapy, family therapy, group therapy, empowerment of LGBTQI+ individuals, parent and child counseling, and child and adolescent mental health. Finally, Ms. Diakatou is a member of the Hellenic Society of Systemic Family, Individual, and Group Therapy (ELESYTH).

Vasileiadou Despoina is a Psychologist - Trained Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She studied at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She completed her thesis on issues of occupational burnout under the supervision of distinguished professors. She specializes in Gestalt psychotherapy, a holistic and human-centered approach to psychotherapy. As part of her lifelong learning, she attends educational seminars and lectures on topics concerning society and the role of psychotherapy within it. She participates as a group coordinator in caregiver support groups for cancer patients and provides voluntary work in the online program "E-therapy," which aims at crisis intervention. For personal development, she considers it essential to regularly engage in supervision (both individual and group) and personal therapy (individual and group).

Georgia Dermani is a Psychologist with a private practice located in Ampelokipoi, where she conducts individual sessions. She completed her studies at the University of East London and continued her training at Aeginiteio Hospital in Athens. She is undergoing training in somatic psychotherapy at the Wilhelm Reich Psychotherapy and Counseling Center - Hellenic Institute of Neurovegetative Therapy and Character Analysis (E.I.N.A.). After completing her studies, she voluntarily provided psychotherapy services for four consecutive years within a social solidarity network in Athens. Her therapeutic approach is a personal synthesis developed through years of experience, intensive study, personal therapy, and supervision. The primary foundation of her approach is Psychodynamic, rooted in Psychoanalytic theory and clinical practice.

Konstantina Skourla is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice at the Megaron Concert Hall. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and has completed postgraduate training in Clinical Psychopathology and Clinical Skills in Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis" at the First Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Research University Institute of Mental Health & Promotion of Knowledge in Mental Disorders), as well as postgraduate training in "Early Intervention in Psychosis" at the Research University Institute of Mental Health (EPI Psy). Furthermore, she is completing her clinical specialization in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (C.B.T.) at the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior (I.E.TH.S.) and in Dialectical Behavior Therapy at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research (EEES). She works as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior and in her private practice. Previously, she has collaborated with the Animus Corpus Psychotherapeutic Center and has worked as a Psychologist at the Mental Health Center of Peristeri and at the Special Child Care Center of the Naval Hospital of Piraeus. Lastly, sessions are conducted both in-person and remotely.

Despoina Papaggeli MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist for adults, children, and adolescents. She completed her undergraduate studies in the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and holds a master's degree titled "Mental Health and Child and Adolescent Psychiatry" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. 

She is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling.

She has attended multiple seminars related to various fields of mental health, including Drama Therapy, Psychoeducation, Special Education, Play Therapy, and LGBTQI+ counseling.

She has been active in the mental health field privately for several years, conducting online psychotherapy sessions with adults and, in collaboration with specialized therapy centers, sessions with children, adolescents, and families. In the past, she has volunteered in providing mental health and creative activity services to individuals with disabilities, as well as to patients at the Piraeus Anti-Cancer - Oncology Hospital "Metaxa". 

Her goal, through the therapeutic process, is to help each individual acquire the necessary tools to manage emotional and behavioral difficulties they face; essentially, to become the therapist of themselves. 

Elena Vrettakou MSc is a Clinical Psychologist, graduate of Panteion University of Athens, and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi. Concurrently, she works in programs focused on the development and empowerment of interdisciplinary and supportive structures. She has undergone postgraduate training in Educational Psychology and subsequently specialized in Psychotherapy (MSc) at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Since 2010, she has worked in various mental health and educational settings, providing support to adults, adolescents, children, as well as LGBTQ+ individuals. Furthermore, she actively participates in numerous advanced trainings related to clinical psychopathology, psychoanalytic theory, and practice. In her private practice, she applies a psychodynamic approach, focusing on the unconscious processes governing the psyche and aiming not only at symptom elimination but also at in-depth understanding and care of the self.

She is suitable because she combines specialized knowledge with authenticity, empathy, and a deep understanding of the problems. Additionally, her experience helps her design the therapeutic plan and provide solutions to the patient based on their needs and experiences. Furthermore, the approach she applies, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, is an ideal method not only for disorders such as depression and anxiety but also for other issues that may affect daily life. Finally, her goal is always to provide the best possible service and the fastest relief for the patient, focusing on their personal goals and requests.

Ο Λεωνίδας Αρμάος (BSc, MSc) είναι Ψυχολόγος-Ψυχοθεραπευτής, με Άδεια Ασκήσεως Επαγγέλματος Ψυχολόγου και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στην Αθήνα, όπισθεν του Χίλτον. Είναι πτυχιούχος (BSc) του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης και αριστούχος διπλωματούχος (MSc) του διετούς Προγράμματος Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών «Σχολική Ψυχολογία» του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (Ε.Κ.Π.Α.).

Εξειδίκευση:

Ειδικεύεται στην Ψυχαναλυτική Ψυχοθεραπεία μέσω του πενταετούς εκπαιδευτικού προγράμματος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Ψυχαναλυτικής Ψυχοθεραπείας Ομάδας (Ε.Ε.Ψ.Ψ.Ο.) και παρέχει υπηρεσίες ατομικής και ομαδικής ψυχοθεραπείας ενηλίκων.

Επαγγελματική εμπειρία:

Ως προς την επαγγελματική του εμπειρία, έχει εργαστεί επί μακρόν με παιδιά, εφήβους και ενήλικες, είτε σε επίπεδο ψυχοθεραπείας είτε σε επίπεδο συμβουλευτικής γονέων, τόσο σε ατομικό όσο και σε ομαδικό πλαίσιο.

Κατά τη διάρκεια της στρατιωτικής του θητείας παρείχε τις υπηρεσίες του στο 80^ο Τάγμα Υγειονομικού Εθνοφυλακής Κω και στη Γραμμή Ψυχολογικής Υποστήριξης SOS του Διακλαδικού Κέντρου Ψυχικής Υγείας Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων.

Πρακτική άσκηση & ερευνητικές εργασίες:

Κατά τη διάρκεια της ακαδημαϊκής του πορείας έχει πραγματοποιήσει εκτενή πρακτική άσκηση (άνω των 1.400 ωρών) σε ποικίλα πλαίσια και ειδικότερα στην Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Στρατιωτικού Νοσοκομείου Ειδικών Νοσημάτων (Σ.Ν.Ε.Ν.) 414, στο 1^ο Ειδικό Δημοτικό Σχολείο Κορυδαλλού και στο 1^ο ΚΕ.Δ.Α.Σ.Υ. Γ’ Αθήνας. Επιπλέον, έχει εκπονήσει πτυχιακή ερευνητική εργασία με τίτλο «Κακοποίηση στην παιδική ηλικία: Διερευνώντας τις πολλαπλές επιπτώσεις του τραύματος στην ενήλικη ζωή» και διπλωματική ερευνητική εργασία με τίτλο «Γονική αποδοχή/απόρριψη και κυβερνοεκφοβισμός (cyberbullying/cybervictimization) στην εφηβεία: Ο ρόλος του δεσμού με συνομηλίκους».

Επιμόρφωση/κατάρτιση:

Στο πλαίσιο της συνεχούς επιμόρφωσης και κατάρτισης έχει ειδικευθεί στην Κλινική Ψυχοπαθολογία από την Α' Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Ε.Κ.Π.Α., το Ερευνητικό Πανεπιστημιακό Ινστιτούτο Ψυχικής Υγείας, Νευροεπιστημών και Ιατρικής Ακριβείας (Ε.Π.Ι.Ψ.Υ.) «ΚΩΣΤΑΣ ΣΤΕΦΑΝΗΣ» και την ΑμΚΕ «Προαγωγή της Γνώσης στις Ψυχικές Διαταραχές». Εκτός των άλλων, έχει ειδικευθεί σε διάφορους τομείς, όπως στη Διαταραχή Αυτιστικού Φάσματος από το ΔΙ.ΚΕ.Ψ.Υ. και στη Διαταραχή Ελλειμματικής Προσοχής-Υπερκινητικότητα (ΔΕΠ-Υ) από την Ελληνική Εταιρεία Μελέτης ΔΕΠ-Υ και την Ιατρική Σχολή του Ε.Κ.Π.Α. Παράλληλα, παρίσταται ενεργά σε επιστημονικά συνέδρια και ημερίδες, με στόχο τη διαρκή διάνοιξη των ψυχοθεραπευτικών και πνευματικών του οριζόντων και την εμβάθυνση στην ψυχαναλυτική κατανόηση του ανθρώπινου ψυχισμού.

Κύριος άξονας ψυχοθεραπείας:

Κύριος άξονας της ψυχοθεραπευτικής του εργασίας είναι η εδραίωση ενός πλαισίου ασφάλειας και ειλικρινούς αποδοχής, ώστε θεραπευόμενη/ος και θεραπευτής να θεμελιώσουν σταδιακά τη θεραπευτική σχέση. Mέσω αυτής και ακολουθώντας τον ρυθμό του κάθε ατόμου, εξερευνώνται προοδευτικά οι υπόλοιπες σχέσεις του, αλλά και οι συνειδητές και ασυνείδητες σκέψεις, φαντασιώσεις και προβληματισμοί του, καλλιεργώντας συνεργατικά μία ανθεκτική ψυχική ισορροπία.

Mariolis Athanasios is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Ampelokipoi. He trained in Integrative Counseling at the Athens Synthesis Center, certified by the University of Glasgow, COSCA. He also holds a degree in Counseling Skills from the same institution. He has completed training at the Lifelong Learning Center of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in Grief and Emotional Trauma Management, Gender Roles and Stereotypes, as well as Self-Improvement and Assertive Behavior. Additionally, he has attended a training program in LGBTQ+ Counseling. He is continuing his education in Psychotherapy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in a 4-year international specialization program in Counseling and Psychotherapy, where he has completed study cycles in Systemic and Narrative Approaches. Finally, he collaborates with the Mental Health Structure "Synypaxis," where he offers his services voluntarily to economically vulnerable adults.

His passion for the cognitive field of Psychology motivated him to shift from his initial studies in Economics to the field of Mental Health. He believes in the profound reciprocal value of working on oneself and operates within a framework of acceptance, respect, trust, and empathy, serving as a companion on each client’s unique journey toward personal development and well-being.

Η Αθανασιάδου Τραϊάνα είναι Ψυχολόγος με προσέγγιση γνωσιακής Συμπεριφορικής κατεύθυνσης. Εχει εξειδίκευση στην Σεξουαλικη Υγεία, τις ψυχοσεξουαλικες διαταραχές και την ταυτότητα Φύλου. Ακολουθεί μια συνθετική προσέγγιση καθώς πιστεύει πως ο κάθε άνθρωπος είναι ξεχωριστός και για να αναπτυχθεί ο Αληθής εαυτός του χρειάζεται να φωτιστεί η ιδιαιτερότητά του.

Το άγχος, ο φόβος, η θλίψη είναι συναισθήματα που μοιραζόμαστε όλοι, ωστόσο για τον καθένα το κάθε συναίσθημα ξυπνα ένα προσωπικό "αφήγημα" ζωής.

Πιστεύει πως στην καρδιά της θεραπείας βρίσκεται ένας χώρος ζωντανός, ευέλικτος, όπου το αληθινό συναντά το δυνατό. Εκεί, μέσα σε μια σχέση που κρατά αλλά δεν εγκλωβίζει, ο εαυτός δεν χρειάζεται πια να κρύβεται—γεννιέται ξανά, ελεύθερος. 

Πιστεύει πως συχνά κάνεις γίνεται το τραύμα του και η θεραπεία επέρχεται με το να καταφέρει να δει τον εαυτό του ως ένα όλον που έχει και τραύματα ωστόσο μπορεί να τα φροντίσει και κα τα αγκαλιάσει. 

Από τα φοιτητικά ήδη χρόνια υπήρξε ενεργό μέλος σε πολλούς φορείς Ψυχικής Υγείας. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί σε ξενώνες του Ψυχιατρικό Νοσοκομείου Αττικής (Ψ.Ν.Α) με χρονια πάσχοντες ασθενείς. Έπειτα ασχολήθηκε με την Ψυχική Υγεία Γυναικών στο ειδικό Νοσοκομείο Γυναικών της Α' Πανεπιστημιακής -Αιγινήτειο Νοσοκομείο. Εκπαιδεύτηκε στο Ειδικο Ιατρειο Ψυχοσεξουαλικων Διαταραχών στην Α' Πανεπιστημιακή Κλινική ενώ μερι και σήμερα βρίσκεται στην Μονάδα Συμβουλευτικής Φοιτητών του ΕΚΠΑ.

Την περίοδο της covid 19 συμμετείχε ενεργά και στελέχωνε την Γραμμή Ψυχοκοινωνικης Υποστήριξης για την πανδημια ενώ συμμετείχε σε πολλές δράσεις προαγωγής Ψυχικής Υγείας. Σπούδασε στο τμήμα Ψυχολογίας Παντειου και έπειτα Παρακολούθησε πρόγραμμα ΜΠΣ στην Ιατρική Σχολή Αθηνών. Είναι μέλος της Ελληνικής Εταιρίας Γνωσιακής Συμπεριφορικης Θεραπείας.

Έχει μετεκπαιδευτεί στην ψυχοπαθολογία και στην Αναλυτική προσέγγιση Ομαδικής θεραπείας.

Πιστεύει πως η ομάδα μπορεί να αποτελέσει ένα ασφαλές πεδίο γέννησης του εαυτού μέσα από αλληλεπιδράσεις ανθρώπων που εντέλει δημιουργούν ένα όλον αποτελούμενο από πολλά "ολόκληρα" που συνθέτουν έναν χώρο θεραπείας και προαγωγής των σχέσεων με τον εαυτό και τους άλλους.

Katsarou Euaggelia is a psychologist and psychotherapist. She lives and works in Athens. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Subsequently, she completed postgraduate studies in Clinical and Community Psychology at the University of East London. She has also specialized in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Institute of Education and Research Logos Psychis and maintains a private practice in Ilisia, where she works as a systemic psychotherapist with adults, couples, families, and groups. She is a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society (SEPS).

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.

Katerina Aslanoglou is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist and PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT. Concurrently, she collaborates as part of her internship practice with the Institute for Research and Therapy of Behavior (ΙΕΘΣ). She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed her postgraduate studies in Health Promotion and Education at the Medical School of Athens, graduating with honors. Currently, she continues her academic career as a PhD Candidate in Clinical Psychology at the Department of Psychology of NKUA. Additionally, she has been trained in Counseling and Psychotherapy for LGBTQ+ individuals by Orlando LGBT - Mental Health Without Stigma. She has attended numerous seminars, is the author of scientific articles, and has participated in national and European scientific conferences. She works privately with adults in individual psychotherapy and simultaneously collaborates with an organization providing psychological support and empowerment to women and female-identifying individuals experiencing gender-based violence. Finally, she was honored with a commendation from the National Center for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A) for her voluntary contribution to policies of inclusion and empowerment of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Haroula Tsatsani is a Psychologist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), and a Relational Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, certified by the Institute of Relational and Group Psychotherapy (ISOPS). She is a member of the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy (IARPP) and the American Group Psychotherapy Association (AGPA). She has successfully completed the Master's Program in "Clinical Management of Addictions" at the Athens Medical School and has extensive clinical experience in public and private mental health institutions. She has collaborated with Day Centers (Ariadni–KMOP, Galini–Prometheus), the Psychological Support Hotline 10306, primary and secondary education schools as a school psychologist, as well as hospitals such as "Evangelismos". Additionally, she has experience in the diagnosis and treatment of sexual dysfunctions, as well as supporting children and adolescents in shelters for unaccompanied minors. Currently, she maintains a private practice in Mets, providing psychotherapy to adults and adolescents facing difficulties in interpersonal relationships, mental disorders, psychosomatic symptoms, addictions, and other challenges. Simultaneously, she collaborates with the psychotherapeutic center "Psychoplefsi" in Athens and the Konstantakou office in Western Attica. She holds a Professional Practice License as a Psychologist (7894/12.10.2016) and receives consistent supervision and training, continuously advancing her personal and professional development.

Venizelea Amalia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist maintaining a private practice in Ilisia. She is a graduate of Psychology from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and holds a postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She also specialized in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy for Adults, Children, and Adolescents at the Institute of Research and Behavioral Therapy. She has clinical experience having worked as a Psychologist at Aeginiteio Hospital as well as at the Day Center of the Regional Development and Mental Health Company. Additionally, she worked as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist at the Vyronas - Kaisariani Community Mental Health Center, specifically in the Adult Department, in the Children and Adolescents Unit of the Peristeri Mental Health Center, and in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute of Research and Behavioral Therapy. Finally, since 2021, she has been working as a Psychologist-Psychotherapist in the Endocrinology Unit of the University of Athens. In her office, she manages cases across the full spectrum of psychology and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focusing on interpersonal relationships and anxiety and mood disorders.

Angeliki Xatzimanoli, MSc is a Psychologist, certified Psychotherapist, and maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and graduated from the Department of Social Policy at Panteion University. Additionally, she has a master's degree in "Addiction Treatment - Addictology" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in collaboration with the Medical School of Athens. Currently, she is training in "Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling" at the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy of Athens (Ke.S.Me.Th.). Throughout her career, she has volunteered with the Non-Governmental Organizations "ActionAid Hellas" and the International Cybersecurity Institute (CSI). She served as a Psychologist for the NGO "The Home Project" and collaborates as an external associate with the Center for Special Therapies "Oikogeneia." She also writes voluntarily for the website ''efiveia.gr,'' focusing on family and its connection and collaboration with the online therapy platform Terappin. She has been trained in the application of the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy protocol (TF-CBT). She provides psychological support to children, adolescents, and adults. It is noteworthy that she participated in authoring the European program "TRACeD," within the framework of actions for the awareness and prevention of online gender-based violence. In her private practice, she undertakes the assessment, monitoring, and psychotherapeutic treatment of various psychological difficulties, such as anxiety disorders, depressive episodes, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, as well as issues related to interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.