Health professionals for Sadness and distress in Neos Kosmos

Η Λευκοθέα Μπεσίρη είναι Κλινική Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχαναλύτρια, απόφοιτη του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του ΕΚΠΑ και κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού διπλώματος Κλινικής Ψυχοπαθολογίας και Ψυχανάλυσης του Πανεπιστημίου του Παρισιού.

Από το 2021 εργάζεται με ενήλικες σε κοινοτικές δομές ψυχικής υγείας. Τα τελευταία 2 χρόνια βρίσκεται στο Κέντρο Ημέρας Αριάδνη του ΚΜΟΠ.

Είναι ενεργό μέλος του Ψυχαναλυτικού Συλλόγου Freud Lacan στην Αθήνα από το 2018 έως και σήμερα.

Skaltsas Mixail is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Neos Kosmos, where he provides services on both an individual and group basis. He studied Psychology at the University of Crete and subsequently moved to the United Kingdom to specialize in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology, obtaining a master's degree (M.Sc.) from Swansea University in Wales. Following this, as part of the further continuation of his psychotherapeutic training, he enrolled in the four-year training program at the Institute of Group Analysis "S.H. FOULKES." In the past, he has worked at a counseling center for children, adolescents, and families, as well as at pre-departure detention centers for foreigners. He also has many years of experience as a psychologist in psychosocial rehabilitation units. His interests focus on individual psychodynamic psychotherapy, group analytic psychotherapy, psychoeducation, coordination of training for professionals working in mental health settings, as well as the study of psychoanalytic texts.

Kollias Thanos MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Athens, providing psychological support and counseling to adolescents, adults, and couples, applying principles of cognitive and behavioral psychotherapy. He is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has also completed undergraduate studies in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the same university, as well as postgraduate studies in Communication, Management, and Innovation at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. His interdisciplinary training contributes to a holistic understanding of human behavior, communication, and interpersonal relationships. He has received further training in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Society for Cognitive and Behavioral Studies, recognized by the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), while simultaneously pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Sciences at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA), specializing in the Psychopedagogy of Reading. He has collaborated with mental health institutions such as the Non-Profit Organization IASIS and the General Hospital Asklipieio Voulas (Child Psychiatry Department), gaining experience in assessment, parent counseling, and psychotherapeutic intervention with children and adolescents. In his therapeutic approach, he utilizes music therapy as a means of expression and processing emotions, enhancing emotional understanding and creative communication.

Η Σκαφίδα Βαρβάρα είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας και διατηρεί το ιδιωτικό της γραφείο στα Εξάρχεια, το Νέο Κόσμοα και στην Αγία Παρασκευή. Είναι απόφοιτη του Τμήματος Διεθνών και Ευρωπαϊκών Σπουδών του Πανεπιστημίου Πειραιώς και έχει ολοκληρώσει εξειδικευμένες σπουδές στην Ψυχολογία και τη Συμβουλευτική στο University of Derby. Παράλληλα, έχει εκπαιδευτεί στην Ψυχοθεραπεία Gestalt, μια ανθρωποκεντρική προσέγγιση που εστιάζει στην επίγνωση, την αυθεντική επαφή και την προσωπική ανάπτυξη.Η επαγγελματική της εμπειρία περιλαμβάνει την υποστήριξη και ενδυνάμωση νέων μέσα από τον ρόλο της ως Youth Facilitator, καθώς και τον συντονισμό ομάδων γονέων σε εκπαιδευτικό πλαίσιο. Μέσα από τη δουλειά της έχει αναπτύξει ουσιαστική εμπειρία στη διαχείριση διαπροσωπικών σχέσεων, στην ενίσχυση της επικοινωνίας και στην υποστήριξη ατόμων και οικογενειών που αναζητούν τρόπους να ανταποκριθούν στις προκλήσεις της καθημερινότητας.Στο πλαίσιο της συνεχούς επαγγελματικής της εξέλιξης, συμμετέχει σε συνέδρια και εκπαιδευτικές δράσεις που αφορούν τη συμβουλευτική, την ψυχοθεραπεία και την ψυχική υγεία, με στόχο τη διαρκή εμβάθυνση των γνώσεων και των δεξιοτήτων της.

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.

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.

Η Αναστασία Μεντζελίδη είναι Ψυχολόγος και Γνωσιακή–Συμπεριφοριστική Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια, με εξειδίκευση στις αγχώδεις διαταραχές, τις καταθλιπτικές διαταραχές, τις φοβίες, τη διπολική διαταραχή και τις διαταραχές προσωπικότητας. Είναι μέλος της Βρετανικής Ένωσης Ψυχολόγων (MBPsS) και έχει ολοκληρώσει τις μεταπτυχιακές της σπουδές στις Συναισθηματικές Διαταραχές στο Πανεπιστήμιο του King’s College London και στο Ινστιτούτο Ψυχιατρικής, Ψυχολογίας και Νευροεπιστήμης του Λονδίνου. Διαθέτει ισχυρό ακαδημαϊκό και ερευνητικό υπόβαθρο, έχοντας ολοκληρώσει τις προπτυχιακές σπουδές της στην Ψυχολογία στο University of Sheffield, όπου διαμόρφωσε και τις πρώτες της ερευνητικές κατευθύνσεις πάνω στις καταθλιπτικές διαταραχές, ενώ στη συνέχεια πραγματοποίησε εξειδικευμένη μεταπτυχιακή έρευνα στη φωτοθεραπεία και τη διπολική διαταραχή. Στο πλαίσιο της κλινικής της εξέλιξης, εκπαιδεύτηκε και εποπτεύτηκε στο Maudsley Hospital – NHS Foundation Trust από διεθνώς αναγνωρισμένους ειδικούς στον τομέα των Συναισθηματικών Διαταραχών. Ανά τα χρόνια, έχει συνεργαστεί με κλινικές δομές ψυχικής υγείας στην Ελλάδα και το Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο, παρέχοντας υποστήριξη σε άτομα με πολύπλοκες ψυχικές δυσκολίες. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Γνωσιακή–Συμπεριφοριστική Θεραπεία στο Ινστιτούτο Έρευνας και Θεραπείας της Συμπεριφοράς (ΙΕΘΣ) και παράλληλα έχει παρακολουθήσει εξειδικευμένα σεμινάρια εμπλουτίζοντας το θεραπευτικό της ρεπερτόριο.

Η θεραπευτική της προσέγγιση βασίζεται στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) και εμπλουτίζεται με στοιχεία από τη Θεραπεία Σχημάτων, τη Σωματική Θεραπεία και πρακτικές Ενσυνειδητότητας (mindfulness). Μέσα από έναν ασφαλή και συνεργατικό θεραπευτικό χώρο, στόχος είναι η κατανόηση των βαθύτερων μοτίβων σκέψης και συναισθήματος και η ενίσχυση της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας.🌱

Danai Loukopoulou is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist maintaining a private practice in Ymittos, with a primary focus on Group Analysis. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and has completed a four-year training in Diagnostic Psychology at the Institute of Diagnostic Psychology of the Open Psychotherapeutic Center. Concurrently, she is training as a Group Analyst / Group Psychotherapist at the Athens Institute of Group Analysis, as part of a five-year training program.

Her therapeutic approach is based on group dynamics, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships and the understanding of the self through relationships with others. Within this framework, she facilitates psychotherapeutic groups, offering a safe space for expression and personal development.

From 2020 to 2024, she worked as a Psychologist in Centers for Special Therapies, where she provided parent counseling and conducted individual and group sessions with children and adolescents, as well as psychological assessments. In parallel, she performs psychological evaluations of adults as part of the therapeutic process.

In her private practice, she works with adults both individually and in groups, focusing on issues related to anxiety and mood, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.

Pagona Aria is a Psychotherapist - Group Analyst with a private practice in Ampelokipi. She holds a degree from the Department of Sociology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. She has been trained in Group Analysis at the Hellenic Society of Analytical Group and Family Psychotherapy, as well as in Behavioral Therapy and Anxiety Disorders at the Research University Institute of Mental Health (E.P.I.PSY.). Additionally, she has attended the Lacanian Psychoanalysis Seminar at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni," conducted in collaboration with the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dromokaiteion" and the Academy of Clinical Studies of Athens. Furthermore, she completed her internship at Aeginiteio Hospital, focusing on clinical cases with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and has worked at the Eastern Attica branch for persons with disabilities belonging to the Social Welfare Centers, where she conducted individual and group sessions with the clients. She has also volunteered for six years at the psychological support network "Synypaxi," providing individual and group sessions. As part of her continuing education, she has attended numerous psychology conferences and seminars. In her private practice, she offers individual counseling and psychotherapy for adults and adolescents, as well as analytic group psychotherapies. Specifically, she provides specialized interventions for the treatment of panic attacks, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobias, depression, post-traumatic stress, as well as for improving interpersonal relationships.

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.

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

Η Πιρλυμπού Μάρα είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια, με εξειδίκευση στην Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεία και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στην Δάφνη. Είναι απόφοιτη του Cardiff Metropolitan University, καθώς και του Τμήματος Φιλοσοφίας, Παιδαγωγικής και Ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, με κατεύθυνση την Ψυχολογία. Στη συνέχεια ολοκλήρωσε το Μεταπτυχιακό Πρόγραμμα στη Συμβουλευτική Ψυχολογία στο The American College of Greece (Deree College). Παράλληλα, ολοκλήρωσε την εκπαίδευσή της στο συνθετικό μοντέλο Συστημικής Ψυχοθεραπείας στο Ινστιτούτο Εκπαίδευσης και Έρευνας «Λόγω Ψυχής», αποκτώντας την θεραπευτική προσέγγιση. Έχει εργαστεί σε ποικίλα θεραπευτικά και εκπαιδευτικά πλαίσια, παρέχοντας ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε εφήβους και ενήλικες, ενώ διαθέτει εμπειρία σε σχολικές δομές και δομές φιλοξενίας ενηλίκων. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Μονάδα Μελέτης Ύπνου του Αιγινήτειου Νοσοκομείου και έχει παρακολουθήσει εξειδικευμένο εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα σχετικά με την Ιατρική του Ύπνου στο Εδιμβούργο της Σκωτίας. Επιπλέον, έχει συμμετάσχει σε ελληνικές και ευρωπαϊκές ερευνητικές μελέτες μέσω του Αιγινήτειου Νοσοκομείου και έχει παρουσιάσει τα αποτελέσματα των ερευνών της σε ευρωπαϊκά επιστημονικά συνέδρια. Η θεραπευτική της προσέγγιση βασίζεται σε ένα εμπλουτισμένο μοντέλο Συστημικής Ψυχοθεραπείας, η οποία αντιμετωπίζει τον άνθρωπο μέσα στο πλαίσιο των σχέσεων του και της προσωπικής του ιστορίας.

Papafilippou Xristoforos MSc is a Psychotherapist - Mental Health Counselor maintaining a private practice in Pangrati. He has completed his postgraduate studies in Person-Centered Counseling and Psychotherapy at the University of Strathclyde and also holds a Diploma in Person-Centered Counseling from the same university. In the past, he volunteered with the Social Solidarity Network "Syn-Existence," offering his knowledge and assistance in various cases.

He conducts individual sessions aimed at adolescents as well as adults who seek a space of safety and acceptance, where they can explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences at their own pace.

His work is based on the Person-Centered approach, where the therapeutic relationship is the core element of the process, standing alongside the client as a companion on their journey of self-exploration. His role is not to direct or provide ready-made solutions but to create a space where the individual can hear themselves more clearly.

For him, the foundation of therapy is the relationship: to listen to the client, to see them for who they are, and to stand with acceptance towards all parts of them, including those they may struggle to embrace.