Health professionals for Sadness and distress near Exarcheia

O Θεοδωρόπουλος Αργύρης MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Σύνταγμα. Είναι αριστούχος απόφοιτος του Λυκείου Αμαρουσίου Αναβρύτων και του τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης. Οι μεταπτυχιακές του σπουδές στο Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών αφορούν την πρόληψη και την προαγωγή της ψυχικής υγείας. Όσον αφορά την ψυχοθεραπεία, έχει εξειδίκευση στη Γνωσιακή – Συμπεριφορική ψυχοθεραπεία (Ινστιτούτο Έρευνας και Θεραπείας της Συμπεριφοράς, πρόεδρος Καλαντζή-Αζίζι Αναστασία, Ομότιμη Καθηγήτρια Κλινικής Ψυχολογίας, Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών) και στη Συστημική – Υπαρξιακή ψυχοθεραπεία (Εκπαιδευτικό Κέντρο Συστημικής και Υπαρξιακής Ψυχοθεραπείας, πρόεδρος Καραγιάννης Δημήτρης, ψυχίατρος – ψυχοθεραπευτής). Η Γνωσιακή – Συμπεριφορική θεραπεία βοηθάει τον άνθρωπο να κατανοήσει και να επιλύσει τα διάφορα συμπτώματα (συμπτώματα κατάθλιψης : άσχημη διάθεση, απώλεια ενεργητικότητας, ανηδονία, αρνητικές σκέψεις κ.ά. και συμπτώματα άγχους : κρίσεις πανικού, ψυχαναγκασμοί, ψυχοσωματικά κ.ά.). Η Συστημική – Υπαρξιακή Θεραπεία συμβάλλει στο να κατανοήσει το άτομο τα προβλήματα σχέσης και οικογένειας που δημιουργούνται καθώς εντοπίζει τα λάθη που το ίδιο κάνει στην αλληλεπίδραση και στο πώς σχετίζεται με τους άλλους ανθρώπους, συνδέοντας παράλληλα πώς ο ίδιος έχει επηρεαστεί από την οικογένεια στην οποία μεγάλωσε. Η Υπαρξιακή Ψυχοθεραπεία κινητοποιεί τον άνθρωπο να αξιοποιήσει τις δυνατότητές του, να τις εξελίξει σε ικανότητες και να βιώσει ολοκλήρωση και ευχαρίστηση στη ζωή του. Οπότε ο συνδυασμός των παραπάνω ψυχοθεραπευτικών προσεγγίσεων βοηθάει με τον καλύτερο τρόπο τον άνθρωπο αγγίζοντας τον εις βάθος. Εκτός από την ψυχοθεραπεία, η οποία είναι η βασική του επαγγελματική δραστηριότητα, ο Αργύρης Θεοδωρόπουλος έχει εργαστεί σε διάφορα δημόσια και ιδιωτικά πλαίσια (σχολεία, νοσοκομεία, κλινικές κ.ά.). Η εκπαιδευτική του εμπειρία περιλαμβάνει τη διδασκαλία σε ιδιωτικές σχολές Ψυχολογίας μαθημάτων σχετικά με τη διάγνωση και τη θεραπεία ψυχικών και σεξουαλικών διαταραχών. Εργασίες του έχουν δημοσιευτεί σε ελληνικά και διεθνή ψυχολογικά και ψυχιατρικά συνέδρια, όπως το Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο Ψυχιατρικής, το International Psychiatric Conference, το World Congress for Mental Health, το Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο Ψυχολογίας, το Συνέδριο Εφηβικής Ιατρικής κ.ά. Επίσης, συμμετείχε στη συγγραφή των βιβλίων «Ας μιλήσουμε για τις σχέσεις μας» (εκδόσεις Λιβάνης), «Για σένα έφηβε» (εκδόσεις Μίνωας) και «Σεξουαλική Υγεία» (εκδόσεις Λιβάνης). Τέλος, ο ειδικός αρθρογραφεί σε περιοδικά, εφημερίδες και ηλεκτρονικό τύπο (tovima.gr, in.gr, protothema.gr, iatronet κ.ά).

Η Λευκαδίτη Ιωάννα MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος, με μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές (MSc) στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία από το University of Wales, UK και πτυχίο Ψυχολογίας από το Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο κέντρο της Αθήνας, στην περιοχή του Συντάγματος.

Η προσέγγισή της είναι προσωποκεντρική, με έμφαση στην ενσυναίσθηση, την αυθεντική επικοινωνία και τον σεβασμό στις ανάγκες και στον ρυθμό κάθε ατόμου. Αυτό σημαίνει ότι η θεραπεία διαμορφώνεται πλήρως εξατομικευμένα, θέτοντας τα θεμέλια για πραγματική αλλαγή που διαρκεί. Παράλληλα ενσωματώνει στοιχεία από προσεγγίσεις όπως το IFS και το TIST, καθώς και τις σωματικά προσανατολισμένες ψυχοθεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις. Οι προσεγγίσεις αυτές υποστηρίζουν το άτομο να χτίσει μια νέου είδους σχέση με τον εαυτό και κατ' επέκταση με τους γύρω του, με περισσότερη ροή και άνεση. Δημιουργεί ένα ασφαλές, υποστηρικτικό περιβάλλον, εντός του οποίου υποστηρίζει το άτομο να διερευνήσει τα συναισθήματα (όπως θλίψη, άγχος, θυμός, πένθος) και τις καταστάσεις που το δυσκολεύουν (όπως προβλήματα σχέσεων, θέματα στην εργασία, κοινωνική ζωή, προσωπικές επιλογές, burnout, συμπεριφορές που έχουν να κάνουν με εθισμό).

Η προσωποκεντρική προσέγγιση έχει στον πυρήνα της την αποδοχή και τον σεβασμό στην προσωπικότητα του κάθε ατόμου. Έτσι, η θεραπεία δεν πιέζει το άτομο, αλλά το υποστηρίζει ουσιαστικά και το συνοδεύει στο ταξίδι του προς τον προορισμό που το ίδιο θα επιλέξει για τον εαυτό του. Εντός αυτού του πλαισίου, το άτομο νιώθει ελεύθερο να διερευνήσει τον εαυτό του, να ενδυναμώσει το ίδιο τις δεξιότητές του και εντέλει να κάνει τις επιλογές που το εκφράζουν. Η κατανόηση των λόγων που αναδύονται "δύσκολα" συναισθήματα, των επιλογών καθώς και των αξιών που οδηγούν το άτομο σε αδιέξοδα, αλλά και των αυθεντικών επιθυμιών μπορεί να οδηγήσει όχι μόνο σε μεγαλύτερη αυτογνωσία αλλά και στην καλλιέργεια προσωπικής ισορροπίας, ώστε να στεκεται το άτομο με περισσότερη αυτοπεποίθηση στις προκλήσεις της ζωής.

Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Γνωσιακή Αναλυτική Ψυχοθεραπεία και βρίσκεται σε εκπαίδευση στην Προσωποκεντρική Θεραπεία και Focusing. Έχει ολοκληρώσει κύκλους εκπαίδευσης μικρής διάρκειας στην τραυματοθεραπεία και στο Internal Family Systems (IFS), διάρκειας από 3 ημέρες έως και 6 μήνες, υπό την αιγίδα της PESI. Οι εκπαιδεύσεις πραγματοποιήθηκαν με εισηγητές διεθνούς κύρους, όπως οι Frank Anderson, Janina Fisher και Bessel van der Kolk, και της έδωσαν τη δυνατότητα να εμβαθύνει σε σύγχρονες θεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις που συνδέουν τη θεωρία με την πρακτική εφαρμογή στην ψυχοθεραπευτική διαδικασία.

Η εκπαίδευση της στους τομείς αυτούς είναι συνεχόμενη, περιλαμβάνοντας κύκλους εκπαίδευσης στην Θεωρία του Πνευμονογαστρικού νεύρου, ενσωματώνοντας στοιχεία από τις τελευταιες εξελίξεις στον χώρο της νευροεπιστήμης στην προσέγγισή της. Έχει επίσης σπουδάσει Αγγλική Φιλολογία στο Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών και πραγματοποιεί συνεδρίες και στα Αγγλικά. Συνοδεύει με σταθερότητα και συνέπεια τους θεραπευόμενους να ανακαλύψουν και να σταθούν στις αξίες τους, να ανακαλύψουν μια νέα σχέση με τον εαυτό, να αγκαλιάσουν τις δυνατότητές τους, και να δημιουργήσουν μια ζωή που αντανακλά ποιοι πραγματικά είναι.

Papaeuaggelou Maria is a Psychologist – Systemic Family Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She holds a BSc in Psychology from London Metropolitan University and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire. She has obtained a Professional Diploma in Systemic and Family Therapy from the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations, as well as a Professional Diploma in Mental Health Counseling (Person-Centered Approach) from the College for Humanistic Sciences – ICPS, certified by Pearson UK. Additionally, she has specialized in Emotional Trauma Management and Personality Disorders at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has completed clinical internships at the Outpatient Detoxification Clinic "Athena" of Aiginiteio Hospital and at OKANA (Organization Against Drugs), gaining experience in the assessment and therapeutic support of individuals with addictive behaviors and their families. Her therapeutic approach is based on Systemic and Person-Centered Psychotherapy, emphasizing the creation of a safe framework of trust and acceptance that facilitates personal awareness, empowerment, and meaningful change. Finally, her office provides personalized psychotherapy and counseling services tailored to the needs of each individual, couple, or family, aiming at empowerment, improvement of quality of life, and meaningful personal development.

Giorgos Orfanos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains two private practices, in Peristeri and Athens (Ilisia - Hilton). He holds a distinction-awarded master's degree in Applied Clinical Psychology (MSc in Applied Clinical Psychology with Distinction) from the University of Central Lancashire, as well as a first-class honours degree in Psychology (BSc Hons Psychology Science – First Class Honours) from the University of Essex. Additionally, he has completed studies in Economics at Kingston University in London. He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which he completed at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling, with experience in individual sessions and group interventions within mental health organizations such as the NGOs Agkalia and Symvallein. His therapeutic approaches incorporate elements from the "third wave" of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). Furthermore, his extensive background in the business sector has motivated him to continuously develop his knowledge of critical psychological concepts such as anxiety, stress, and generally high psycho-emotional pressure and performance conditions (performance psychology). He believes in a collaborative relationship, considering the therapeutic alliance and unconditional acceptance as the cornerstone for the success of therapy, the enhancement of self-awareness, psychological resilience, and personal development.

Niki Sofoulaki is a Social Worker and Systemic Psychotherapist, maintaining a private office in Ilisia. She trained in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Εργαστήριο Διερεύνησης Ανθρώπινων Σχέσεων and has been working since 2018 supporting individuals and families. She deeply believes that every person has within them the capacity for growth. As a systemic therapist, she approaches each session through the lens of relationships, how we were raised, which beliefs we inherited, and how we learn to belong.

Throughout her professional journey, she has worked therapeutically with individuals who have experienced deep traumatic experiences, anxiety, depression, issues related to self-awareness, and more. Her work is based on connection, trust, and acceptance, through an open dialogue with the individual(s), providing the necessary space and time they need. The systemic approach is applied in individual sessions, couples therapy, family therapy, and groups, depending on the needs and goals of the individual(s), with respect for each person’s pace and the uniqueness of every relationship.

Since 2018, she has been actively involved in the field of mental health, while her private practice began in 2021, where she provides psychotherapy sessions and counseling to individuals and families. Having had the opportunity to meet and support people at very different stages of their lives, her professional journey began in NGOs, where she worked with vulnerable social groups. She provided counseling support aimed at social reintegration, helping people gradually regain a sense of safety and connection with their support systems. She has also worked clinically in a Day Center for individuals with psychosis and related disorders. There, she coordinated therapeutic rehabilitation groups, in which the group functioned as a field of relationship, interaction, and meaning-making of experience, supporting functionality, daily life, and the reconnection of individuals with their social role, while at the same time providing individual psychotherapeutic support to people facing mental health difficulties. This experience taught her in depth how important it is to see the person beyond the diagnosis, within the system of relationships, experiences, and meanings that surround them.

In addition, alongside her private office, she also works in an adolescent and family unit. There, she supports young people experiencing intense emotional difficulties, while also providing family psychotherapy sessions, aiming to empower the entire system and restore bonds within the family framework.

Polyxronaki Panagiota is a clinical psychologist - psychotherapist providing online sessions.

She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Leiden University, Netherlands. She has been trained in the Cognitive Behavioral Approach by the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies.

She is certified in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has completed the one-year postgraduate program in Clinical Psychopathology at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the Research University Mental Health Institute (EPISY), as well as holding a diploma in Coaching from UGROW and the Positive Psychology Society.

In parallel, she has attended numerous specialized trainings and continually pursues her professional development through supervision and ongoing education.

Regarding her professional training, she completed her internship as part of her postgraduate studies at the Psychiatric Clinic of the University Hospital of Heraklion and at the Alzheimer Day Center "Nefeli". Additionally, she completed an internship at the Student Counseling Center of NKUA, providing therapeutic support to students.

She works privately, providing sessions to adults and adolescents.

Mparmakelli Margarita is an Existential and Systemic Psychotherapist, Family Therapist, and Clinical Social Worker maintaining a private practice in Athens, at Pedion tou Areos. In 1990, she graduated from the Department of Social Work at the Technological Educational Institute of Athens (SEYP) and subsequently completed her postgraduate studies at the University of West Attica, specializing in clinical social work with children, adolescents, and families. She has been a co-therapist in adult psychotherapeutic groups from 2023 to the present. Additionally, she has worked as a program coordinator for the internship and professional rehabilitation of youth with intellectual disabilities at the Special Education Workshop "Margarita," as the head of a shelter for women survivors of violence and women victims of human trafficking at the National Center for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.), as well as providing counseling and social support to women survivors of domestic violence, women victims of human trafficking, and individuals undergoing social crises. She is a member of the Association of Social Workers of Greece (SKLE) as well as the Hellenic Society of Systemic Therapy (EL.ESY.TH.).

Eirini Printezi is a mental health counselor and psychotherapist. She holds a "Diploma in Integrative Counselling COSCA" and an ECP (European Certificate for Psychotherapy) from the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP). She is a member of the European Association for Psychotherapy as well as the National Society for Psychotherapy of Greece (E.E.P.S.E.).

Konstantoulaki Eleni MSc, MA is a licensed Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist specialized in the Systemic - Existential approach, with experience in the treatment of adolescents, young adults, adults, couples (EFT | Emotionally Focused Therapy) and families. She provides psychotherapy both individually and in group settings, with sessions available online. Her goal is to create a safe therapeutic environment where each individual or group can feel acceptance and trust, having the space to explore thoughts, feelings, and relationships, progressing with awareness towards a more conscious, meaningful, and authentic life.

Tsakiris Panagiotis holds a BSc in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and an M.A. in Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy from the University of East London. He is currently training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Institute of Psychotherapy for Professional & Personal Development (IPSEPA). He has completed the postgraduate seminar in Cognitive Counseling at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies, as well as the postgraduate seminar in Cognitive Counseling for children and adolescents at the same institution. Additionally, he has attended numerous seminars, including Introduction to Clinical Psychopathology from the Open University and the University of Michigan course "Understanding Psychosis." He has been practicing privately as a Psychologist since 2024, with experience in managing anxiety, self-confidence and self-esteem issues, as well as interpersonal relationship matters. Previously, he has collaborated with the Carpe Diem Psychotherapy Center and, within the scope of his internship, with the Roots Wellness Center Psychotherapy Center and the Community Service of the Municipality of Agios Dimitrios.

Giorgos Rossonis is a Psychotherapist - Mental Health Counselor with private practices in Pagkrati and Kifisia. He holds a degree from the Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology with a specialization in Psychology from the University of Ioannina. He possesses a Diploma in Counseling Skills from the Athens Synthesis Center and has completed postgraduate training in Integrative Psychotherapy at the same Center. Additionally, he has attended training programs on "Learning Disabilities and Counseling Skills for Specialists and Educators" and "Contemporary Issues in Child Psychiatry" at the General Children's Hospital "P. & A. Kyriakou." He has completed his internship in numerous groups both abroad and domestically within the alcohol detoxification program at the 10th Alcoholics DAFNI. Furthermore, he has worked as a Counselor on the 24-hour psychological support line for the armed forces at the Inter-Branch Mental Health Center of the Armed Forces, as well as in the Wishes Department of Make-A-Wish Greece. Finally, he is a member of the European Society of Integrative Psychotherapy and the Hellenic Society of Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy. As a psychotherapist, he is dedicated to helping individuals on their journey toward self-discovery, confronting their fears, and progressing toward self-actualization.

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.