Health professionals for Sadness and distress near Cholargos

Dr. Maria Livanou, PhD, MSc, Senior Lecturer, is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist specializing in child and adolescent therapy, with a particular emphasis on the psychodynamic approach. She has an academic background in the United States and the United Kingdom and holds an academic post at King’s College London (KCL). Her research focuses on child and adolescent mental health.

Her therapeutic approach is primarily grounded in psychodynamic therapy, aiming to understand deeper emotional processes and relationship patterns. At the same time, it remains individualized and holistic, responding to the unique needs of each child, adolescent, adult, and family.

During sessions, parental counselling and parent therapy are offered—from pregnancy through the early years of the child—along with support for families during early parenthood. Discussions may include topics related to early child development and the parent–infant relationship. She places particular emphasis on addressing communication difficulties, enhancing psychological well-being, building self-confidence, and improving social relationships.

She works with a wide range of issues concerning childhood and adolescence, including:

• Anxiety and anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic attacks)
• Phobias, separation anxiety, and attachment issues
• Depressive mood, depression, social withdrawal
• Adjustment difficulties and emotional distress
• Psychosomatic symptom
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulties in communication and social relationships, family conflicts, and adaptation to change (e.g., divorce)
• Grief and loss management
• Eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns
• School-related difficulties, academic stress, and performance anxiety
• Issues of identity, self-image, and adolescent development
• Conduct problems, anger management difficulties, delinquent behavior
• Family counselling and therapy
• Neurodevelopmental difficulties (e.g., autism, ADHD)
• Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), developmental trauma, and adverse childhood experiences

Η Κουρουκεχαγιά Ευτέρπη είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας, διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Βούλα, στο Χαλάνδρι και πραγματοποιεί συνεδρίες διαδικτυακά. Η εκπαίδευσή της περιλαμβάνει πληθώρα εξειδικεύσεων, όπως η Ανασυνδυασμένη Εκλεκτική Συμβουλευτική, Συμβουλευτική Γονέων, Συμβουλευτική Ζεύγους, η Ψυχοθεραπεία Gestalt, η CBT και το NLP. Επιπλέον, έχει πιστοποιηθεί στη Διαχείριση Συναισθηματικού και Ψυχικού Τραύματος, στην Ψυχολογία της Υγείας και διαχείριση παθήσεων , στη Συστημική Αναπαράσταση και στην Ψυχοδυναμική Συμβουλευτική. Παράλληλα, έχει αποκτήσει πιστοποίηση στην Παιδοψυχολογία, στην Σχολική Ψυχολογία και στη Σεξουαλική Διαπαιδαγώγηση και Ψυχολογία των νεανικών σχέσεων, ενώ έχει παρακολουθήσει προγράμματα εκπαίδευσης για την ανάπτυξη στρατηγικών Coaching και Mentoring. Επίσης, κατέχει πιστοποίηση στην Συμβουλευτική Σταδιοδρομίας και επαγγελματικού προσανατολισμού, Σχολές Γονέων, εκπαίδευση εκπαιδευτών και στελεχών, στη Ψυχοπαθολογία, στη Δραματοθεραπεία, την Κλινική Ύπνωση και τη Συμβουλευτική για τη Διαχείριση της Ψυχολογίας των νέων. Ανάμεσα στις σπουδές της, περιλαμβάνονται και το Mindfulness Meditation and Positive Psychology από το Mandala Institute.Είναι πιστοποιημένη LIfe Coach και τελειόφοιτη στη Θετική Ψυχολογία. Επίσης παρακολουθεί σεμινάρια για την επαγγελματική καθοδήγηση και τον επαγγελματικό προσανατολισμό, με σκοπό την υποστήριξη ατόμων να ανακαλύψουν και να αναπτύξουν το δυναμικό τους στον επαγγελματικό τομέα. Η 30ετής επιτυχημένη επαγγελματική της πορεία στη Διοίκηση επιχειρήσεων και στη Διαχείριση ανθρώπινου δυναμικού, σε μεγάλες και πολυεθνικές εταιρείες στο κλάδο των πωλήσεων, την όπλισε γνώσεις και εφόδια και της δημιούργησε την ακλόνητη πεποίθηση πώς κάθε άνθρωπος διαθέτει τους εσωτερικούς πόρους για να εκπληρώσει τους στόχους του και μέσα από την κατάλληλη προσέγγιση μπορεί να ανακαλύψει το δυναμικό του. Επιπροσθέτως, η ειδικός συμμετέχει ενεργά σε επαγγελματικούς συλλόγους, όπως η Ελληνική Εταιρεία Ανασυνδυασμένης Εκλεκτικής Συμβουλευτικής και ο Σύλλογος Συμβουλευτικής Coaching Mentoring Ελλάδας, ώστε να παραμένει ενήμερη για τις τελευταίες εξελίξεις του πεδίου της συμβουλευτικής στην Ελλάδα. Η εμπειρία της και η συνεχής εκπαίδευσή της την βοηθούν να προσφέρει εξειδικευμένες υπηρεσίες ψυχικής υγείας και προσωπικής ανάπτυξης, προσαρμοσμένες στις ανάγκες των ατόμων και των οικογενειών.

Vaso Sofia is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist, licensed to practice with license number 912/6-2-2017, and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. Holding a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Leiden University, she completed her training in the Rational Emotive Behavioral approach. Through this approach, her goal is to teach individuals the power they have over their thoughts and emotions, as well as techniques for functional and logical handling of challenging daily situations. In 2025, she began her training in EMDR psychotherapy, which aims to relieve individuals from the emotional and physical distress caused by troubling and adverse life experiences. Since 2019, she has been working in private mental health service providers, dealing with children, adolescents, and adults. Finally, due to her interest in the developments in Psychology, she continuously chooses to stay informed and trained through seminars.

Fragkiadaki Xristina is a Psychologist practicing privately in Agia Paraskevi. She holds a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Psychology from Canterbury Christ Church University in Kent and has completed her postgraduate studies in Systemic Psychotherapy and Family-Couple Therapy at the Systemic Center for Education and Psychotherapy “SKEPSYS.” Additionally, she has completed four-year postgraduate studies in Drama Therapy at the Institute of Psychotherapy through Theatre “AION.” Furthermore, she has completed the training program "Basic Principles in Counseling and Psychotherapy with LGBTQ+ Individuals" at Orlando LGBT+ Mental Health Without Stigma. She graduated from the drama school “Theatro Technis - Karolos Koun” and has been professionally involved with Playback Theatre since 2004 as an actor, coordinator, and trainer. She is a founding member of the Playback Psi group. Finally, she is a member of the Refraim team, which focuses on experiential adult education through theatrical techniques and participatory theatre, and of Amate Performance, which aims to carry out social intervention actions through theatrical practice and performance.

Eleonora Tsilimpakou is a Social Worker, graduate of Democritus University of Thrace, with postgraduate studies in Clinical Social Work with families and children from the University of West Attica. After completing her postgraduate studies, she trained as a Career Guidance Counselor at the Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education and completed a four-year training program in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy and Training Center. Additionally, she has been trained in coordinating parent groups by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as in the Healthy Relationship Building Program between the two genders. She possesses extensive professional experience as a Social Worker, having worked in both private and public sectors, including the Elderly Care Unit "Frontizo," the Adult Psychiatric Clinic "Agia Aikaterini," the 2nd Special Vocational Education and Training Laboratory (EEEKK) of Piraeus "Anixi," the Foster Care Service of SOS Children’s Villages, the 2nd Local Health Unit of Nea Filadelfeia, as well as the Day Center for Children and Adolescents of the Hellenic Society of Medical Psychology. As a Career Guidance Counselor, she has collaborated with the Career Office of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and since 2020 she has maintained a private practice in Agia Paraskevi, Attica, where she provides psychotherapy services in both individual and group settings.

Sotiropoulos Sotiris is a Mental Health Counselor and maintains his private practice in Ampelokipoi. He holds a "Diploma in Integrative Counselling COSCA" from the ATHENS SYNTHESIS CENTRE and has been trained in the Integrative Approach. In his private practice, in a welcoming and comfortable space, he manages a wide range of cases, with particular expertise in Anxiety Disorders, Depression, and Anger Management cases.

Dimitris Aggelopoulos is a psychotherapist and educator specializing in Group Analysis. In his private practice, located in the center of Athens, he provides individual and group psychotherapy to individuals facing challenges in their personal lives, relationships, or mental health. His goal is not only the relief of symptoms, but also the emergence of each unique individual and the discovery of new ways of behavior and perception, focusing on healthy relationships and a sense of fulfillment.

He firmly believes that psychological difficulties are not solely individual problems, but mirrors of society, the relationships, and the groups within which we live and interact. Through Group Analysis, he utilizes the function of the group to facilitate the revealing of hidden aspects of the self, offering honest feedback and creating a space where individuals can express themselves freely, without fear of judgment. The group operates as a microcosm of relationships – a dynamic reality in which changes do not remain theoretical, but significantly impact the members’ broader lives.

Dimitris Aggelopoulos fosters an environment of safety and trust, where each person has the opportunity to face their challenges and cultivate the distinctive characteristics of their personality. Psychotherapy is not a luxury, but a vital investment in the relationship with ourselves and others.

Anagnostou Maria Kai Synergates is a Psychologist, Psychotherapist, and Clinical Supervisor. She maintains a private practice in Halandri. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. She has completed her training in Synthetic Psychotherapy at the Athens Synthesis Centre. Additionally, she has attended psychology seminars in Clinical Psychology, Psychodynamic Therapy, and other approaches.

Η Νοδαράκη Ιωάννα M.Sc., ECP, είναι πιστοποιημένη Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στην Αγία Παρασκευή. Είναι αριστούχος υπότροφος Ψυχολογίας (BA Hons in Psychology) και κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου στην Εφαρμοσμένη Ψυχολογία και Ψυχοθεραπεία από το Αμερικανικό Κολλέγιο Ελλάδος (MSc in Applied Psychology, The American College of Greece - Deree). Έχει ειδικευτεί στην Προσωποκεντρική Ψυχοθεραπεία παρακολουθώντας τετραετή θεωρητική και βιωματική εκπαίδευση από το College for Humanistic Sciences ICPS αποκτώντας έτσι το Postgraduate Diploma in Person-Centred Psychotherapy καθώς και το Ευρωπαϊκό Πιστοποιητικό Ψυχοθεραπείας (European Certificate of Psychotherapy - ECP) από την Ευρωπαϊκή Εταιρεία Ψυχοθεραπείας (European Association for Psychotherapy – ΕΑP). Παράλληλα, έχει εκπαιδευτεί στην Συγκινησιακά Εστιασμένη Θεραπεία Ζεύγους (Emotion-Focused Therapy for Couples – EFT) ενώ έχει ολοκληρώσει δύο κύκλους μετεκπαίδευσης στην Κλινική Ψυχοπαθολογία καθώς και στις Κλινικές Δεξιότητες στην Κλινική Ψυχοπαθολογία "Παναγιώτης Ουλής" από την Α΄ Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (Ε.Π.Ι.Ψ.Υ.). Διαθέτει εμπειρία στο χώρο έχοντας προσφέρει υπηρεσίες ψυχοθεραπείας και συμβουλευτικής σε δομές όπως στο Ινστιτούτο Ψυχικής Υγείας Παιδιών & Ενηλίκων (Ι.Ψ.Υ.Π.Ε.), στη Μονάδα Ψυχοκοινωνικής Αποκατάστασης χρόνιων ψυχικά ασθενών «ΑΝΙΜΑ», στη Μονάδα Φροντίδας και Αποκατάστασης Ηλικιωμένων με Alzheimer και συναφείς άνοιες "ΑΚΤΙΟΣ", στο Κέντρο Ημέρας Ψυχοκοινωνικών Παρεμβάσεων στην Κοινότητα «Franco Basaglia» (Ε.Π.Α.Ψ.Υ.), στο Κέντρο Ημέρας της “Εταιρείας Alzheimer Αθηνών” ενώ έχει υπάρξει μέλος της Τηλεφωνικής Γραμμής SOS «Δίπλα Σου» κατά της οικογενειακής βίας (Δίκτυο Γυναικών Ευρώπης). Είναι μέλος της Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρείας Ψυχοθεραπείας (ΕΑP - European Association for Psychotherapy) και της Εθνικής Εταιρείας Ψυχοθεραπείας Ελλάδος (ΕΕΨΕ). Σήμερα, στο ιδιωτικό της γραφείο, εργάζεται ψυχοθεραπευτικά με ενήλικες παρέχοντας ατομικές συνεδρίες ψυχοθεραπείας και συμβουλευτικής ζευγαριών ενώ αναλαμβάνει ένα ευρύ φάσμα ψυχικών δυσκολιών, στα οποία περιλαμβάνονται οι κρίσεις πανικού, οι διαταραχές άγχους, η κατάθλιψη, η απώλεια και το πένθος, οι διαταραχές προσαρμογής, οι διαπροσωπικές δυσκολίες αλλά και θέματα που εμπίπτουν στα πλαίσια της αυτοβελτίωσης και της προσωπικής ανάπτυξης, εν γένει.

Karagianni Xrysa BSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Chalandri. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and specializes in CBT - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, following training completed at the Institute of Research and Behavior Therapy. The specialist has gained significant experience working in the Social Service of the Municipality of Nikaia, and since 2014, she has been working as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist at the Alzheimer Society of Athens. In her private practice, she offers a wide range of services, respecting the individual needs of each patient, and also provides her services through online sessions.

Gkioka Nikolina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Neo Psychiko. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. She has been trained for 4 years in the Gestalt psychotherapeutic method at the Gestalt Foundation and in EMDR Psychotherapy for trauma treatment at the Athens Trauma Therapy Institute. She has collaborated in various settings such as the telephone support line "Together for the Child" and the association K.E.F.I. (Association of Cancer Patients, Volunteers, Friends, and Doctors of Athens). She worked with the Hellenic National Association Against Epilepsy with patient groups and individual sessions, as well as with visits to epilepsy clinics in hospitals. Additionally, she has worked as a Psychologist at the 1st General Lyceum of Galatsi and as a trainer Psychologist at the Lifelong Learning Centers of the Municipality of Athens and in Parenting Schools. Currently, she practices privately in Neo Psychiko, where she provides services as a psychotherapist for adults, adolescents, and children and as a coordinator of adult therapeutic groups and experiential workshops.

Sxiza Emmeleia is a Psychotherapist specializing in the Body-Oriented Reichian Approach and maintains a private practice in Chalandri, where she provides individual sessions for adolescents and adults.

With undergraduate studies at the School of Public Health of the University of West Attica and certifications in educational/pedagogical competence as well as in special education, she has specialized in the field of mental health, graduating from the Wilhelm Reich Psychotherapy and Counseling Center - Hellenic Institute of Neurovegetotherapy and Character Analysis (H.I.N.A.). She holds a degree in Psychotherapy with a 4-year duration of studies plus 2 years of supervision. Additionally, she has been trained in Biodynamic Psychotherapy, Gestalt Psychotherapy, and Bioenergetic Analysis, covering both theoretical and practical aspects of Body-Oriented Reichian Psychotherapy through theoretical courses, experiential workshops, and marathons (intensive experiential groups), which she continues to attend to this day. She applies techniques and therapeutic models for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes, giving equal emphasis to the body, emotion, and cognition with the ultimate goal of balancing them. Part of the therapeutic process involves addressing the bodily symptom, balancing the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems in combination with verbal processing. In her private practice, she undertakes a wide range of mental health difficulties, such as internal conflicts, low self-esteem, interpersonal relationship challenges, anxiety, phobias, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, panic attacks, depression, and psychosomatic disorders.

Piliati Ioanna is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist and maintains private practices in Vrilissia and Chalandri. She specializes in Systemic - Family Counseling and therapy for individuals and couples. She is a regular member of the Greek and European Association of Counseling. She works with individuals, couples, families, parents, and groups on issues related to gender identity, sexual difficulties, interpersonal relationships, anxiety problems, panic attacks, and other emotional difficulties and mood disorders, grief, and more. Within a framework of protection, safety, and acceptance, she works aiming at the psychological support of adolescents and adults. She focuses on highlighting their skills and psychological resources to empower them and achieve a harmonious life with balance. She has 25 years of experience and expertise in the fields of communication and personal development. She has collaborated with a wide network of individuals and groups with very diverse backgrounds, experiences, needs, behaviors, and lifestyles. She places great importance on the human need for understanding, acceptance, and support. She is an ally to the individual regarding their interpersonal relationships and the various challenges they face in different phases of their changing life. After her personal engagement with Systemic Psychotherapy, she decided to change her career path by obtaining a degree in Psychology and specializing in Systemic Counseling - Family Therapy.

Konstantinos Giannoukakis is a graduate of the Psychology Department at Hunter College, City University of New York. He studied in Manhattan, New York, where he lived for six years, and then moved to Athens to pursue his postgraduate studies. He obtained his master's degree in Clinical and Community Psychology from the University of East London and has been trained in Cognitive-Analytic Psychotherapy (Hellenic Association for Cognitive-Analytic Psychotherapy). Additionally, he regularly participates in seminars and therapeutic technique training, as well as various psychology conferences. During his military service, he served as a Psychologist in the Psychosocial Care Unit in Lemnos, gaining extensive experience due to a wide range of cases at both clinical and social levels. He has also worked at PEPSAE (Panhellenic Association for Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Professional Reintegration), where the aim was the smooth social integration of individuals with psychosocial difficulties.

Zampouni Vasiliki - Ioanna is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Neo Psychiko. She has completed studies in Biothymic Psychotherapy, Clinical Hypnosis, and counseling at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy & Counseling, as well as in Synthetic Counseling at the Tree of Therapy. Additionally, she has undertaken studies in Human Loss - Grief and in Anxiety - Depression, Psychoeducation, and Management at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is a member of the Hellenic Counseling Association and the British Association for Counseling and Psychotherapy. As a Mental Health Counselor and Hypnosis Psychotherapist, she provides specialized services that assist individuals in overcoming personal and emotional challenges, thereby improving their quality of life. With numerous studies and certifications in the field of mental health, she offers a comprehensive approach that integrates techniques such as biothymic psychotherapy, clinical hypnosis, and synthetic counseling.

"Με ενδιαφέρει ο άνθρωπος, η ιστορία του, και ο τρόπος που σχετίζεται με τον εαυτό του και τους άλλους."

Η Καραδήμου Θάλεια είναι απόφοιτος Ψυχολογίας από το Αμερικανικό Κολλέγιο και κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού από το King’s College. Μέσα από το δικό της, προσωπικό ταξίδι αναζήτησης νοήματος, εντός και εκτός της ψυχοθεραπείας, κατέληξε πως της ταιριάζει η Συστημική - Οικογενειακή Προσέγγιση στην οποία εκπαιδεύεται και εποπτεύεται. Και αυτό, γιατί από όποια πλευρά έχει προσπαθήσει να δει και να καταλάβει την ιστορία της και την ιστορία των γύρω της, πάντα καταλήγει πως το νόημα της ζωής μας είναι οι ανθρώπινες σχέσεις. Όποια δύναμη, σιγουριά, φόβο και δυσκολία έχει ο καθένας μας προέρχεται από αυτές και ταυτόχρονα τις τροφοδοτεί.

Πολύ απλά δεν μπορούμε να υπάρξουμε χωρίς να συνδεόμαστε και να σχετιζόμαστε.

Η δική της διαδρομή στην ψυχοθεραπεία την δίδαξε ότι η μετακίνηση και η αλλαγή δεν είναι ποτέ μονόπλευρη· συντελείται μέσα στην σχέση, στον διάλογο, στη συν-κατασκευή νοήματος.

Αυτή είναι η φιλοσοφία της:

• Να συν-βαδίζουμε, να συν-δημιουργούμε και να συν-νοηματοδοτούμε
• Να αφήνουμε τον διάλογο να φωτίζει το μονοπάτι
• Να τιμούμε την ανθρώπινη σχέση ως τον πυρήνα της θεραπείας

"Για εμένα η θεραπεία δεν είναι «ανάλυση», αλλά ένα κοινό ταξίδι· μια σχέση όπου ερχόμαστε σε επαφή με αυθεντικότητα, συναισθηματική παρουσία, ηθική δέσμευση και ευθύνη, και όπου δημιουργείται χώρος για να ακουστεί η ιστορία σου — και όλα όσα υπάρχουν πίσω από αυτήν".

Έχει βρεθεί κι εκείνη στη θέση του θεραπευόμενου. Γνωρίζει τους φόβους, τις δυσκολίες της διαδικασίας, τον κόπο και το θάρρος που απαιτείται, αλλά και το πόσο ανεκτίμητο δώρο μπορεί να γίνει όταν υπάρχει ασφάλεια, σύνδεση και σεβασμός.

• Δεν φέρνει έτοιμες απαντήσεις· φέρνει περιέργεια.
• Δεν φέρνει εξηγήσεις· φέρνει χώρο.
• Στόχος της είναι να συν-κατασκευάσετε νέες οπτικές και νέες δυνατότητες· να σε βοηθήσει να βρεις έναν νέο τρόπο να υπάρξεις μέσα από τα νοήματα που θα ανακαλύψετε μαζί.