Health professionals for Psycotherapy LGBTQ in Macedonia

Peristera Kalamara MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Kozani. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed a postgraduate program in Adolescent Medicine and Adolescent Health Care from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Additionally, she is a graduate of a Special Education training program from the Department of Education at the University of the Aegean and a certified CBT Psychotherapist by the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy. The psychologist has gained significant professional experience, having worked in mental health institutions and organizations such as the Mobile Mental Health Unit of Kozani - Grevena, the counseling & psychotherapy program "No One Alone" of the Mental Health & Social Reintegration Society, and at The Smile of the Child in Thessaloniki. Furthermore, she completed her internship at the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Kozani and continues to work at IONOS - Company for Psychosocial Development and Cooperation.

She organizes and coordinates parent groups regarding the challenges of their new roles and provides counseling on adolescent-related issues.

She is also an instructor at Volteros IEK in the Occupational Therapy and Infant Care Departments, teaching Psychopathology courses on disorders and the professional roles in relation to mental health of the individuals they care for.

Finally, she has participated in numerous conferences related to her specialty.

Dimitra Karakasi is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has completed postgraduate studies and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has worked in mental health facilities and school units, gaining experience in providing psychological support to adults, adolescents, and children. She deals with issues related to anxiety, depression, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and enhancing self-esteem. Her clinical practice is based on scientifically validated methods, aiming to promote mental health and personal development.

   Ονομάζομαι Γιώργος Βαφειάδης και εργάζομαι ως ψυχαναλυτικός ψυχοθεραπευτής στην Κατερίνη, όπου διατηρώ ιδιωτικό γραφείο από το 2024, ενώ δέχομαι θεραπευόμενους ιδιωτικά από το 2020.

  Είμαι απόφοιτος του Τμήματος Κοινωνικής Διοίκησης του Δημοκρίτειου Πανεπιστημίου Θράκης και εργάστηκα για περίπου τρία χρόνια ως στον Διεθνή Οργανισμό Μετανάστευσης. Εκεί απέκτησα σημαντική κλινική εμπειρία εργαζόμενος με ευάλωτες ομάδες και κυρίως με ψυχιατρικά περιστατικά, σε συνθήκες που μου έδωσαν βαθιά κατανόηση της ανθρώπινης δυσκολίας και ανθεκτικότητας.

  Στη συνέχεια ολοκλήρωσα το μεταπτυχιακό πρόγραμμα στη Συμβουλευτική Ψυχολογία και τη Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεία στο University of East London (UEL), όπου εκπαιδεύτηκα σε διαφορετικά ψυχοθεραπευτικά μοντέλα, όπως η γνωστική–συμπεριφορική, η προσωποκεντρική, η ψυχαναλυτική και η συστημική προσέγγιση. Η εκπαίδευση αυτή μου έδωσε τη δυνατότητα να εργάζομαι συνθετικά και να προσαρμόζω τη θεραπεία στις ανάγκες κάθε ανθρώπου. Στο πλαίσιο του μεταπτυχιακού πραγματοποίησα κλινική πρακτική ατομικής ψυχοθεραπείας υπό εποπτεία.

  Η βασική μου εκπαίδευση είναι στην ψυχαναλυτική ψυχοθεραπεία, την οποία ακολούθησα μέσα από την πενταετή εκπαίδευσή μου στην Ελληνική Εταιρεία Αναλυτικής Ομαδικής και Οικογενειακής Ψυχοθεραπείας. Η εκπαίδευση περιλάμβανε θεωρητική κατάρτιση στην ψυχανάλυση και στις αντικειμενότροπες σχέσεις, προσωπική ψυχοθεραπεία, εποπτεία περιστατικών και κλινική εμπειρία σε ψυχιατρικό πλαίσιο.

  Η ψυχαναλυτική προσέγγιση αποτελεί τον βασικό άξονα της δουλειάς μου, καθώς εστιάζει στην κατανόηση των βαθύτερων αιτίων των δυσκολιών και όχι μόνο στην αντιμετώπιση των συμπτωμάτων. Παράλληλα αξιοποιώ στοιχεία και από άλλες προσεγγίσεις, όταν αυτό κρίνεται χρήσιμο για τον θεραπευόμενο.

  Στο γραφείο μου εργάζομαι με ενήλικες, ζευγάρια και οικογένειες, καλύπτοντας ένα ευρύ φάσμα δυσκολιών. Παιδιά κάτω των 13 ετών βλέπω μόνο στο πλαίσιο οικογενειακής θεραπείας, όπου συνδυάζω ψυχαναλυτική και συστημική προσέγγιση.

  Στη θεραπεία δίνω ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στη δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς χώρου όπου ο άνθρωπος μπορεί να μιλήσει ελεύθερα χωρίς φόβο κριτικής. Μέσα από τη θεραπευτική διαδικασία επιδιώκω ο θεραπευόμενος να κατανοήσει σε βάθος τον εαυτό του και τις σχέσεις του, να αποκτήσει μεγαλύτερη εσωτερική ηρεμία και να μπορέσει να προχωρήσει σε ουσιαστικές αλλαγές στη ζωή του.

  Πιστεύω ότι μέσα από τη βαθύτερη κατανόηση του εαυτού, κάποια από τα προβλήματα που μας απασχολούν υποχωρούν, κάποια άλλα μειώνονται, ενώ ορισμένα χρειάζεται να τα αποδεχτούμε ως κομμάτι του εαυτού μας. Η θεραπεία οδηγεί σταδιακά σε πιο ουσιαστικές σχέσεις, μεγαλύτερη συναισθηματική ισορροπία και πιο ώριμες αποφάσεις.

  Το ενδιαφέρον μου για την κατανόηση του ανθρώπου ξεκίνησε από νωρίς και συνδέεται με μια γενικότερη ανάγκη να εμβαθύνω στη φύση του ανθρώπου και των σχέσεων. Από νεαρή ηλικία με απασχολούσαν ζητήματα ψυχολογίας, φιλοσοφίας και ιστορίας, ενώ η πρώτη μου επαφή με την ψυχαναλυτική σκέψη έγινε ήδη από την εφηβεία. Η αναζήτηση αυτή συνεχίζεται μέχρι σήμερα και αποτελεί βασικό στοιχείο τόσο της προσωπικής όσο και της επαγγελματικής μου πορείας.

  Παράλληλα έχω παρακολουθήσει πλήθος σεμιναρίων σχετικών με την ψυχοπαθολογία, τις ανθρώπινες σχέσεις, τη γονεϊκότητα και τη διαχείριση του άγχους, ενώ συνεχίζω την εκπαίδευσή μου στο αντικείμενο της ψυχολογίας.

Kastorini Vasiliki is a Psychologist who conducts online sessions. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University. She has received further training in the Gestalt Psychotherapy Program at the Gestalt Foundation, in Psychodiagnostics: Techniques and Tools for Personality Assessment in Psychological Diagnosis, and in the "Training Department in Forensic Psychology, Forensic Psychopathology, and Psychodiagnostics. Theory and Expert Evaluation Techniques & Counseling in Civil and Criminal Sectors, Adults and Minors" in Italy. The psychologist has significant professional experience in psychotherapy and counseling and has volunteered in the psychological support department of the General Children’s Hospital of Penteli, at "Together for the Child," at the Penteli Children’s Convalescent Home, at the Municipal Clinics of the Heraklion Municipality in Attica, and in other facilities. She also participates in numerous conferences, specialized seminars, workshops, and symposiums in Greece, aiming for continuous education and professional development.

Ms. Fregkou Nikolina is a Psychologist graduated from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holding a professional license with a specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research - EEEΣ). She conducts adult sessions in person in the center of Athens as well as remotely (online). Simultaneously, she works at the Polydynamic Clinics of the Municipality of Athens, providing counseling services through individual sessions.

She has worked as a psychotherapeutic psychologist in various settings with 15 years of experience. Throughout her professional career, she continuously evolves by participating in trainings, seminars, conferences, and workshops.

As a professional and companion on the journey of therapy, she operates with empathy and authenticity, providing the appropriate tools to address the issues that concern her clients.

Papadopoulou Georgia (Tzia) is a Psychologist - Integrative Psychotherapist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of East London and holder of a master's degree in Counseling & Psychotherapy. She applies the integrative psychotherapy model, tailoring the approach to the unique needs of each individual client. She combines techniques from cognitive, psychodynamic, and person-centered approaches with the aim of improving emotional well-being, personal development, and self-understanding. She provides individual sessions for adults and young people over 18 years old who wish to address issues such as anxiety, stress, emotional difficulties, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, losses, or identity crises.

She does not undertake a diagnostic role but focuses on psychological support and counseling, offering a safe, confidential, and warm environment for the client. She deeply believes in the power of acceptance, authenticity, and internal change. Her goal is to provide high-quality and scientifically supported psychological care, with humanity, empathy, and respect for each person's needs.

“I am not here to tell the client what to do. I am here to explore together what is happening within and around them, and to find, step by step, the path that fits their unique personality.”

Ms. Lazaridou Stella is a Psychologist and maintains her private practice in Katerini. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Psychology from the University of Essex and an MSc in Applied Psychology / Research Psychology from Middlesex University. Ms. Lazaridou serves as the Scientific Director of the Dyslexia Centers Pavilidis Method, managing numerous cases with a focus on providing the best possible service tailored to the individual needs of each person, while also collaborating with an occupational therapist, special educator, and speech therapist.

Anna Xanioti is a Mental Health Counselor and Psychotherapist specializing in the Person-Centered Approach. She trained in the 4-year experiential program "Person-Centered Roots" at the College of Humanistic Studies ICPS in Athens. She is a certified Psychotherapist accredited by the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) and holds the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP). She ensures her professional development through continuous supervision, therapy, and participation in seminars and conferences. Her areas of interest include the integration of contemporary neuroscience with psychotherapy, developmental trauma and its impact on personal relationships, psychoemotional care of women during menopause, and encounter and personal development groups.

Tavanli Xrysa Maria is a Psychologist - Systemic Family Psychotherapist and conducts online sessions, including individual, couple, and family therapy. She has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors as a certified Psychologist. She has worked in various settings, including Community Centers, Special Education School Units, and KEDASY (Centers for Differential Diagnosis, Diagnosis, and Support), and currently serves as a School Psychologist at the Ministry of Education. She holds a Psychology degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed postgraduate studies in Special Education. Additionally, she has completed a 4-year training program in Systemic Family Therapy. Concurrently, she is continuing her education with postgraduate studies in Gender Studies at the Hellenic Open University. She possesses significant experience in intervention within school, social, and therapeutic contexts, with particular sensitivity to diversity and vulnerable social groups. She approaches individuals’ needs with empathy, systemic thinking, and scientific evidence, emphasizing a collaborative relationship and targeted empowerment.

Giazitzi Vasiliki is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), which is recommended as the treatment of choice for a variety of mental disorders and is particularly effective.

She maintains private practices in Thessaloniki and Serres, providing psychotherapeutic services both in person and online to adults, adolescents, couples, and families.

She completed her postgraduate studies at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with a degree in "Global Medicine and Health Crisis Management".

Since 2021, she has specialized in cognitive-behavioral psychotherapy at the Hellenic Society of Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy.

From May 2019 to June 2024, she worked with NGOs on various UNICEF programs such as Child Protection (Child and Family Support Hubs) and subsequently the support of all children in education (All Children in Education).

Within the framework of this work, she participated in the design and support of cases involving domestic violence, as well as cases of severe anxiety, depression, phobias, obsessive-compulsive symptoms, and various mental disorders requiring support. In 2021, she held a coordinating role in the Child Protection program in the Serres field.