Psychologists for Sadness and distress in Dafni

Giannakopoulou Maria is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist providing individual sessions both in-person and online. She has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She offers psychotherapeutic support to adults, adolescents, and children, focusing on understanding and modifying dysfunctional thoughts and behaviors related to anxiety, mood, and interpersonal difficulties.

She studied Psychology at the University of Derby and completed her training in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling. Additionally, she holds a Master's degree (MSc) in Counseling and Guidance from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

She has worked in private and public mental health institutions, supporting individuals experiencing anxiety, depressive symptoms, relationship difficulties, and self-esteem issues.

Within the therapeutic setting, she emphasizes a collaborative relationship with the client and the clear formulation of goals. Through understanding cognitive and emotional patterns, the aim is to develop more functional ways of thinking and behaving, as well as to enhance psychological resilience. The therapeutic process is individually tailored, taking into account each person's needs, pace, and objectives.

Simultaneously, she regularly participates in supervision and professional development programs, aiming for continuous professional and personal growth.

Chrysa Xatzixaralampou BSc, MSc is a psychologist who conducts sessions with adolescents and adults both online and in person. She holds a master's degree in Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy, having completed the three-year program at the University of Derby, and is also a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Additionally, she is training in Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling at Ce.S.Me.Th (Center for Systemic Study and Therapy). As part of her continuous education, she has attended numerous conferences and seminars focusing on special education, school and developmental psychology, and psychotherapy. During her undergraduate studies, she completed her internship in the Acute Cases Department at the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki. Subsequently, she undertook a postgraduate internship at a private office of a systemic psychotherapist, conducting individual sessions with adults. Concurrently, she has been active in the field of therapy with children and adolescents, addressing neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioral issues. She has also worked with adults, providing individual counseling and psychotherapy sessions as well as psychoeducational groups. Furthermore, she has been employed in vocational counseling, working with individuals facing severe psychosocial difficulties, focusing on psychoses, while coordinating support groups for people with psychosis and other psychosocial challenges aimed at enhancing their social skills. Moreover, she is a member of the Hellenic Association of Supported Employment (EL.ET.YP.E.) and the BACP (British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy). Currently, the psychologist collaborates with a psychotherapy center, offering individual psychotherapy sessions for children and adolescents, support groups for children and adolescents, and parental counseling.

The decision to seek help from a mental health professional is an important and courageous act of self-care.

Whether someone is going through a difficult period, looking for ways to get to know themselves better, improve their relationships, or strengthen their psychological resilience, they have the opportunity to find support.

Ms. Christina Lepida follows an integrative approach to psychotherapy, enriched with elements from the existential–phenomenological perspective, which emphasizes lived experience, freedom, authenticity, and the meaning of life. At the same time, she incorporates techniques and tools from other evidence-based approaches, such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), thus tailoring each session to the specific needs of the individual.

Her goal is to offer a safe, genuine, and supportive space, where one can express themselves freely, without judgment. Together, you will explore the difficulties you are facing and seek ways for meaningful change and personal growth.

Ms. Lepida provides specialized psychotherapy services that cover a wide range of needs.

Vallianatou Danai is a mental health counsellor. Her private practice is located in Ymittos. She holds Bachelor Degree in Psychology, by the American College of Greece, Post-graduate Diploma in Person Centered Approach by the Counselling Department of University of Strathclyde, Glasgow as well as training in Person – Centered Psychotherapy through the European Association of Psychotherapy. She has worked as an HR Manager as well as Coordinator of humanitarian programs in PRAKSIS NGO. She provides individual counseling and psychotherapy services for adults, group parenting counseling and group personal development counseling She has particular expertise in anxiety, self-esteem, depression, loss and bereavement, sexual orientation, gender identity, relationship difficulties and parenting difficulties. Sessions can also be held in English

Semeli Balta-Messari is a Psychologist and Dance Therapist who maintains a private practice in Neos Kosmos. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete (2018). She holds a specialization in Jungian – Psychodynamic Counseling through Dance Therapy under the supervision of the Hellenic Center for Training – Psychotherapy through the Arts (Hellenic-British College of Athens), which she successfully completed in 2022. She has been trained in the Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) system and the Authentic Movement technique. The therapeutic model she follows combines Counseling Psychology techniques with the analysis of symbols and dreams, the approach to archetypes through creative methods, the Authentic Movement technique, and the Active Imagination technique. She has worked as a psychologist and dance therapist in both private and public institutions, providing psychological and counseling support to children, adolescents, and families, as well as populations with increased social and psycho-emotional needs. Currently, she is coordinating auxiliary work, as a specialist scientist, for the “Women InterACT” group at Restart Theater Athens, within the framework of a European program addressing the dual exclusion of women.

Η Αζαριάδη Μαρία BSc, MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος - Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Σμύρνη. Είναι πτυχιούχος Ψυχολογίας από το Brunel University του Λονδίνου και διαθέτει μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στην Ψυχιατρική και την Οργανωσιακή Ψυχολογία από το King's College London. Έχει επίσης ολοκληρώσει ένα τετραετές πρόγραμμα ειδίκευσης στη Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεία στην Εταιρεία Ψυχολογικής Υποστήριξης και Θεραπείας (Ε.Ψ.Υ.ΘΕ.), όπου απέκτησε δεξιότητες που της επιτρέπουν να συνδυάζει τη Γνωσιακή - Συμπεριφοριστική, Ψυχοδυναμική και Συστημική προσέγγιση, προσαρμόζοντας τη μέθοδο θεραπείας στις ξεχωριστές ανάγκες κάθε ατόμου. Στα πρώτα επαγγελματικά της βήματα εργάστηκε στον τομέα των Ανθρωπίνων Πόρων, αποκτώντας εμπειρία στη διοίκηση ανθρώπινου δυναμικού. Σήμερα εργάζεται ως Ψυχολόγος στην Περιφέρεια Αττικής, όπου εξειδικεύεται σε θέματα υιοθεσίας και αναδοχής ανηλίκων, παρέχοντας συμβουλευτική υποστήριξη σε οικογένειες και παιδιά. Παράλληλα, ασκεί ιδιωτικά το επάγγελμα της Ψυχολόγου - Ψυχοθεραπεύτριας, προσφέροντας εξατομικευμένες συνεδρίες σε εφήβους και ενήλικες που αντιμετωπίζουν συναισθηματικές δυσκολίες και προκλήσεις όπως άγχος, κατάθλιψη, χαμηλή αυτοεκτίμηση, δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις, ψυχοσωματικές ενοχλήσεις, προσωπικές μεταβάσεις κ.α. Εργάζεται επίσης με ζευγάρια και οικογένειες για την ενίσχυση της επικοινωνίας και της συναισθηματικής σύνδεσης, καθώς και με γονείς που επιδιώκουν να ενδυναμώσουν τον γονεϊκό τους ρόλο. Η εμπειρία της περιλαμβάνει και εθελοντική εργασία σε δομές παιδικής προστασίας, ενώ έχει συνεργαστεί και με το Ωνάσειο Καρδιοχειρουργικό Κέντρο, στο πλαίσιο της κλινικής της άσκησης, παρέχοντας ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε ασθενείς πριν και μετά από χειρουργικές επεμβάσεις. Στόχος της είναι να προσφέρει εξατομικευμένες λύσεις που ανταποκρίνονται στις μοναδικές ανάγκες κάθε θεραπευόμενου, δημιουργώντας ένα ασφαλές υποστηρικτικό πλαίσιο για προσωπική ανάπτυξη και βελτίωση της ποιότητας ζωής.

Nassar Athina is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Athens. She is a graduate of the Department of Educational Sciences and Early Childhood Education at the University of Patras, holding a master's degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy from the University of East London. Her professional experience combines education, psychotherapy, and creative activities for children, with a consistent presence in early childhood education settings and mental health centers. She has worked for many years as a lead teacher in kindergarten classrooms and, since 2022, has been providing psychotherapy sessions to adults and adolescents, having previously collaborated with organizations such as the "IASIS" Day Center and the Roots Wellness Center. She regularly attends seminars, continually enhancing her knowledge and psychotherapeutic skills.

She offers both in-person and remote psychotherapy sessions for adults and adolescents based on an integrative model, specifically utilizing cognitive and psychodynamic approaches.

Zouka Olga is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist, licensed to practice, and maintains a private practice in Athens. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and has received postgraduate training in Systemic Psychotherapy (Systemic – Family Therapy and Couple Therapy) at the Society of Systemic Therapy and Intervention for Individuals, Families, and Broader Systems (ESYTHEPAS). She has attended training seminars on administering Projective Tests (RORSCHACH, T.A.T., C.A.T., Children's Drawing Test) at DI.K.E.PS.Y., as well as seminars related to addictions at ITACA – Greek Section and the Training Center of the 18 Ano Addiction Treatment Unit. Additionally, she completed practical training in the Family Department of the Therapeutic Center for Dependent Individuals (KETHEA) "Diavasi" and at the Psychiatric Clinic of the 251 General Air Force Hospital. She has worked as a psychologist in K.D.A.P. MEA (Municipality of Acharnes "AROGI"), in prisons (Detoxification Center for Drug-Addicted Prisoners Eleonas Thebes (KATKETH)), in a shelter for unaccompanied minor refugees (AMKE SUNYPARXIS Ecumenical Refugee Program), and provided psychosocial support to the Municipality of Haidari through an ESPA program. Currently, she provides counseling to unemployed individuals through an ESPA program. In her private practice, she focuses on creating a supportive and collaborative therapeutic relationship, tailoring her approach to the uniqueness and specific needs of each client, aiming at the effective management of any issues they face. She conducts in-person and online sessions with adults, adolescents (15 years and older), families, couples, as well as counseling sessions for couples and parents.

H Μαρία Ηλιάδη είναι Ψυχολόγος MSc. ψυχαναλυτικής κατεύθυνσης και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Κουκάκι.  Είναι απόφοιτη του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης και του Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου, όπου ολοκλήρωσε μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές ερευνώντας συνδέσεις της Ψυχανάλυσης με την Κοινωνική Θεωρία και τη Φιλοσοφία. Έλαβε πολυετή κλινική εκπαίδευση σε ψυχαναλυτικούς θεσμούς και είναι Μέλος του Φόρουμ Ψυχανάλυσης  του Λακανικού Πεδίου της Σχολής Ψυχανάλυσης ΙF- EPFCL. Επιπλέον έχει μετεκπαιδευθεί στην διαθεματική προσέγγιση στην ψυχοθεραπεία, καθώς και σε κλινικά πλαίσια στην ψυχοπαθολογία ενηλίκων. Εργάστηκε επί σειρά ετών στον τομέα της Kοινοτικής Ψυχιατρικής (Εταιρία Κοινωνικής Ψυχιατρικής «Π. Σακελλαρόπουλος», Κέντρο Ημέρας Υποστήριξης Ψυχικής Υγείας μέσω Τέχνης Π.Ε.Ψ.Α.Ε.Ε.) προσφέροντας υπηρεσίες ψυχοθεραπείας και ψυχοκοινωνικής υποστήριξης, ενώ επίσης έχει συμμετάσχει στην υλοποίηση προγραμμάτων για την ψυχοκοινωνική ενδυνάμωση ατόμων με εμπειρίες κοινωνικού στίγματος και διακρίσεων. Ακόμα, έχει λάβει μέρος ως εισηγήτρια σε διοργανώσεις εκπαίδευσης και ενημέρωσης σε θέματα ψυχικής υγείας. Στο ιδιωτικό γραφείο της υποδέχεται ενήλικες σε ατομικές συνεδρίες ψυχαναλυτικής θεραπείας.

Katsimiga Ioanna is a Psychotherapist - Mental Health Counselor and has maintained a private practice in Vyronas since 2015. She holds a Counseling Psychology certification and a Specialization Diploma in Coaching with elements of Counseling, as well as a Counseling & Life Coaching Diploma from the University of the Aegean, and a degree in Social Theology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. As a mental health counselor, through individual and group sessions, she contributes to improving the quality of life for those who trust her, addressing issues that challenge them in daily life and their relationships with others. Additionally, she assists with matters related to relationship management, marriage, separation, divorce, and achieving specific goals for personal and professional development. As a theologian, she has an in-depth understanding of existing religions concerning the soul and its deeper needs, aiming to help individuals find peace, meaning, and tranquility in their lives.

Christina Papageorgiou is a Clinical Psychologist and Sociologist, a graduate of Deree-The American College of Greece and Panteion University. She holds a Professional License and is a Psychotherapist, trained in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling KE.PSY.SY. She has finished the master's program in Clinical Psychology at the Erasmus University of Rotterdam in the Netherlands, as she has also attended the master's program in Special Education and Rehabilitation at the University of Macedonia. Finally, she has a diploma in Applied Counseling from KE.PSY.SY. At present, she works, alongside her private office, as a Psychologist in a Center for Special Treatments and continues to attend educational programs and trainings in her field. Provides individual sessions, couples' counselling, parents' counselling, and LGBTQI+ counselling, live and online, as well as in English.

A Step Beyond is a center for Counseling, Psychotherapy, Personal Development, Wellness, and Prosperity Growth. It was established by Kentro Psyxikis Ygeias Kai Euimerias A Step Beyond - Katranis Konstantinos Kai Synergates with the aim of providing therapies to individuals who wish to overcome their problems, to make their lives fuller and more beautiful, and to be guided towards wellness and prosperity through the necessary and appropriate means. The center’s specialists act as allies and companions for those who seek to discover new strategies and apply them, to enhance and utilize their internal resources, to learn new things or to view old matters from new perspectives, to heal traumas, to acquire new skills, to overcome fears and phobias, to eliminate chronic stress, and to live mindfully in the present moment, setting goals and achieving them. At A Step Beyond, the individual’s needs are addressed by selecting the appropriate specialist from among the trained Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Mental Health Professionals, or Personal Development Counselors to design a flexible and tailored evolution plan for each person.

Falari Marianna BSc is a Mental Health Counselor and conducts sessions online. She graduated from the University of Greater Manchester (Bolton University, UK), where she completed her studies in Psychology (BSc). She is a Mental Health Counselor trained in the Integrative Model at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling of Ioannis Dovelos. Currently, she specializes in Existential Psychotherapy of Becoming, approaching the individual through an existential perspective that respects the uniqueness and journey of each person towards meaning and authenticity. Additionally, the specialist has attended numerous seminars in various fields of counseling and psychotherapy, covering topics such as human relationships, anxiety management, grief, depression, and other critical mental health issues. Since 2022, she has maintained her private practice, working with adults in individual sessions, offering a safe space for expression, understanding, and psychological empowerment. She is an active member of the British Psychological Society (BPS) and is committed to continuous education and providing quality services with respect, empathy, and professionalism. Her work is supported by ongoing supervision, ensuring the quality and ethical adequacy of the therapeutic process.

Ο Κωνσταντίνος Μαθιουδάκης είναι Ψυχολόγος και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Σμύρνη. Είναι απόφοιτος του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Είναι κάτοχος άδειας άσκησης επαγγέλματος από το 2016 και έχει ολοκληρώσει επιμορφώσεις στην Εφαρμοσμένη Συμβουλευτική Ψυχικής Υγείας, την Ειδική Αγωγή, τη Σχολική Ψυχολογία και την Πρώιμη Παρέμβαση στον Αυτισμό. Επίσης έχει ολοκληρώσει Εκπαιδευτικό Πρόγραμμα στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT). Έχει συμμετάσχει σε πολυάριθμα σεμινάρια και εκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα που αφορούν την παιδική προστασία, την ψυχοκοινωνική στήριξη ευάλωτων πληθυσμών, την έμφυλη βία και τις σύγχρονες κοινωνικές προκλήσεις. Πιστεύει στη δια βίου μάθηση και φροντίζει να εμπλουτίζει διαρκώς τις γνώσεις και τις δεξιότητές του.

Διαθέτει εκτενή εμπειρία στον τομέα της ψυχικής υγείας, έχοντας συνεργαστεί με δομές και οργανισμούς του δημόσιου και ιδιωτικού τομέα. Έχει προσφέρει υπηρεσίες ψυχολογικής αξιολόγησης, συμβουλευτικής και υποστήριξης σε Δομές φιλοξενίας προσφύγων και αιτούντων άσυλο, σε Δομές υποστήριξης ασυνόδευτων ανηλίκων, σε κατασκηνώσεις και προγράμματα παιδικής ψυχοκοινωνικής ανάπτυξης. Έχει εργαστεί σε Συμβουλευτικό Κέντρο για την αντιμετώπιση της έμφυλης βίας και των πολλαπλών διακρίσεων και σε ιδιωτικά Κέντρα Ψυχικής Υγείας και Συμβουλευτικής.