Health professionals for Τόνωση αυτοεκτίμησης

Afrodopoulou Eleni is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist. She maintains a practice at the Medihall polyclinic center in Kifisia and is the scientific director of the Ariadne and Odysseus Psychosocial Rehabilitation Hostel. She graduated from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens with postgraduate training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and holds a postgraduate diploma in Life Coaching - AC Accredited. She has experience and provides specialized interventions for anxiety management, improvement of relationships, as well as personal self-esteem, and assistance in every aspect of a person's life who wishes to develop.

Vagena Xristina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed a postgraduate program in Counseling Psychology at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Subsequently, she underwent a 4-year training program at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, she is certified in the administration of the MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) by ISON Psychometrica. She has worked as a trainer at the public IEK of Aridea and Sindos and at the Mental Health Vocational Training Center, providing training to caregivers of individuals with dementia, autism, and Alzheimer's disease. Furthermore, she has served as a Psychologist at the American College of Anatolia in Thessaloniki, as a School Psychologist at the 12th Vocational High School (EPAL) of Thessaloniki, and as a Forensic Psychologist Expert at the Thessaloniki Court of First Instance. Finally, she was a collaborator for 6 years at the Speech Therapy Center "Playlearning" in Thessaloniki.

Dr. Eleni Vazakidou, PhD, MSc, is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice (center located near the Church of Agios Dimitrios) in Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a specialization in Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling from the Center for Systemic Therapy and Counseling (Κε.Σ.Με.Θ). Additionally, she holds a Doctorate (PhD) in Criminology with a full scholarship and a Master's degree in Clinical Criminology from the University of Leicester, as well as a Law degree from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She possesses extensive academic experience, having lectured at the Department of Criminology at the University of Leicester and at the Department of Psychology at the European Campus of York, City College in Thessaloniki. Finally, in her private practice, the specialist provides support to adults, couples, and families through a systemic, comprehensive, and scientifically substantiated therapeutic approach.

Clinical Psychologist Vazouras Mixalis graduated from the Psychology Department of the American College of Greece (DEREE). He then completed his postgraduate studies in the Clinical Psychology program at Utrecht University. He has been trained in cognitive behavioral therapy during his postgraduate studies and has attended seminars on grief management, trauma, and the provision of psychological first aid. He has volunteered at the Sismanoglio Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinic and the NGO M.A.N.A. Finally, in recent years, he has worked as a psychologist in private centers and as a clinical psychologist in a rehabilitation center. Currently, he manages his private practice.

Roxani - Maria Vakalou is a Psychologist, graduate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in Clinical Psychology. She is a certified Cognitive-Behavioral Therapist and is training in Bioenergetic Clinical Hypnosis.

Her choice of specializations is based on the integration of two critical pillars: focusing on the "here and now," addressing dysfunctional patterns of thinking and behavior, and processing emotional traumas formed during early developmental stages before the development of logical thinking.

Her career in the Mental Health field includes voluntary service at S.O.F.PSY. Serres, coordinating therapeutic groups and cognitive-behavioral interventions; collaboration with the Hellenic Alzheimer’s Disease Association; specialization in "Dance Theatre"; and mental health counseling in a multinational environment through conducting psychoeducational groups and individual sessions (since 2024).

She firmly believes that Psychotherapy is the most valuable investment in oneself and the cornerstone of self-awareness and mental well-being. Her goal is, within an environment of trust, understanding, and acceptance, to help individuals genuinely "embrace" themselves.

Ο Βακόνδιος Νίκος είναι πτυχιούχος Ψυχολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, νευροψυχολογικής κατεύθυνσης, πρωτεύοντας στις εισαγωγικές κατατακτήριες εξετάσεις για τη συγκεκριμένη σχολή και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Χαλάνδρι. Έχει άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος Ψυχολόγου από το έτος 2004. Κατά τη διετή θητεία του στο Πολεμικό Ναυτικό, υπηρέτησε ως Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας στο Ναυτικό Νοσοκομείο Σαλαμίνας και στο γραφείο Πρόληψης Ψυχικής Υγιεινής. Εκεί εκπαιδεύθηκε σε όλο το φάσμα της ψυχολογίας της ζωής του καθημερινού ανθρώπου, και ειδικότερα στο άγχος, κρίσεις πανικού, φόβους και φοβίες, αλλαγές της συναισθηματικής διάθεσης, και γενικότερα τη δυναμική της ανθρώπινης προσωπικότητας και της ικανότητας να αλλάζουν τα χαρακτηριστικά της προσωπικότητάς μας. Εκπαιδεύθηκε στην ελληνική εταιρία Ομαδικής Ανάλυσης και Ψυχοθεραπείες στις ομαδικές συνεδρίες. Κατά την εποπτεία του, επί πολλά έτη, εκπαιδεύθηκε και συνεργάστηκε με ιατρούς και ψυχολόγους στην ψυχοθεραπεία με κεντρικό άξονα τη γνωστικο-συμπεριφορική και ψυχοδυναμική προσέγγιση, σε ένα φάσμα καταστάσεων που περιλαμβάνει διατροφικές, ψυχοσεξουαλικές διαταραχές, άγχος, κατάθλιψη, θεραπεία ζεύγους και οικογενειακή θεραπεία, αυτοεκτίμηση-αυτοαντίληψη, και γενικότερα κάθε έκφανση της προσωπικότητας και του ψυχισμού του ανθρώπου σε εφήβους και ενήλικες. Από το 2021 ειναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας στη Διεύθυνση Κοινωνικής Μέριμνας (κεντρικός τομέας) με αντικείμενο την ψυχολογική εκτίμηση ζευγαριών, υποψηφίων για υιοθεσία και αναδοχή. Επίσης, στην ίδια διεύθυνση, πραγματοποιεί σεμινάρια επιμόρφωσης με αντικείμενο την δημιουργία ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητα στα παιδιά, ως εργαλείο μια ευτυχισμένης ζωής τους ως ενήλικες. Παράλληλα, στη Διεύθυνση Κοινωνικής Μέριμνας της Περιφέρειας Αττικής, ο Νίκος Βακόνδιος, διατηρεί και την ιδιότητα του Κοινωνικού Συμβούλου, από το 2021, στον ίδιο τομέα. Παράλληλα, πραγματοποιεί σεμινάρια επιμόρφωσης σε υποψήφιους προς υιοθεσία και αναδοχή γονείς. Η αρθρογραφία του, η οποία ξεκινά από το 2008, περιλαμβάνει πολλές δημοσιεύσεις και συνεντεύξεις σε ραδιόφωνο, κυριακάτικο τύπο και τηλεόραση σε μέσα όπως το ραδιόφωνο της ΕΡΤ, το Έθνος, το περιοδικό Επίκαιρα κ.α.

Elisavet Valkanioti is a Psychologist in Volos providing individual sessions for adults and adolescents (17+ years old), both in-person and online. She creates a safe, supportive, and confidential therapeutic environment tailored to the needs of each client.

She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Canterbury Christ Church University with a grade of Excellent and holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Psychology from University of East London.

She applies Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and has specialized training in Clinical Hypnotherapy (CBH), combining scientifically validated methods with contemporary therapeutic techniques. She offers support in issues such as:

• anxiety and panic attacks
• phobias
• sleep disorders
• smoking cessation
• chronic pain management
• weight control

She holds an advanced diploma in Cognitive-Behavioral Clinical Hypnotherapy (CBH) and has been trained in Regressive Therapy as well as in DSM-V (Understanding DSM-V), with an emphasis on the analysis of the psychiatric classification manual and the understanding of psychological phenomena.

Her therapeutic approach is integrative and individualized, combining the structured methodology of CBT with the dynamic aspects of clinical hypnotherapy, while incorporating experiential and humanistic elements.

She has experience in the field of Occupational Psychology, supporting individuals with work-related stress, professional relationships, and workplace behavior. Additionally, she has been trained in Forensic and Criminal Psychology, with a focus on psychological assessment within legal contexts.

Valla Faii is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki at 10 Tsimiski Street. She has completed undergraduate studies in Psychology and postgraduate studies in Neuroscience, focusing on the integration of basic research with clinical application at the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Her thesis concerns the functional connectivity of the brain in patients with Schizophrenia. Among other qualifications, she has attended the introductory lecture series in Psychoanalysis by the Hellenic Psychoanalytic Society and has participated in activities of the Northern Greece Psychoanalytic Society. She has gained valuable experience through her collaboration with an institution for individuals with intellectual disabilities, as well as through her work in a mental health facility serving patients with psychiatric disorders. Throughout her career, she has engaged with the pediatric population, collaborating with specialized therapy centers for children and adolescents and providing parental counseling sessions. Additionally, she worked as an evaluating psychologist in the "Personal Assistant" program for people with disabilities, offering supportive services. Concurrently, she is a trainee member at the European Institute of Counseling and Psychotherapy of Chania, specializing in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. She receives continuous supervision and personal analysis.

Vamvaka Marina is a Mental Health Counselor and Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Kozani, providing compassionate and personalized care to her clients. She holds a degree in Psychotherapy and trained in Gestalt psychotherapy at the Gestalt Foundation of Thessaloniki. She is a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and Obesity and is a certified Mindfulness Instructor. She has attended experiential workshops at the Institute of Drama Therapy of Northern Greece and educational seminars in Gestalt psychotherapy, gaining experience in the use of valuable therapeutic tools and techniques. She is a member of HAGT (Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy) and EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy). She has collaborated with the YWCA, providing psychological support to women, in parenting schools, with Arsis, and as a coordinator of psychological support groups, with the Cancer Patients Association of Macedonia–Thrace and Ptolemaida, and she is a collaborator of EAP Hellas. She has offered and continues to offer volunteer work related to her specialty.

Η Αναστασία Βαρβάρα είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια με εξειδίκευση στις αγχώδεις διαταραχές σε ενήλικες, εφήβους και παιδιά. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Θεσσαλονίκη παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ψυχοθεραπείας και συμβουλευτικής δια-ζώσης και διαδικτυακά. Είναι απόφοιτος Ψυχολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης και κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου στην Ψυχολογία Παιδιού και Εφήβου από το Πανεπιστήμιο Greenwich του Λονδίνου. Ειδικεύεται στη Γνωστική- Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία (CBT), μια επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη προσέγγιση με υψηλή αποτελεσματικότητα στην αντιμετώπιση αγχωδών διαταραχών, όπως κρίσεις πανικού, γενικευμένο άγχος, φοβίες, ψυχαναγκαστική-καταναγκαστική διαταραχή και κοινωνικό άγχος. Παράλληλα, υποστηρίζει θεραπευόμενους σε ένα ευρύ φάσμα δυσκολιών, όπως διαταραχές διάθεσης, διατροφικές δυσκολίες, νευροαναπτυξιακές διαταραχές (όπως ΔΕΠΥ και αυτισμός) και δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις. Βρίσκεται σε συνεχιζόμενη εκπαίδευση στο τετραετές πρόγραμμα της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Γνωστικής Συμπεριφορικής Ψυχοθεραπείας, πιστοποιημένο από την Ευρωπαϊκή Εταιρεία Συμπεριφορικών και Γνωστικών Θεραπειών (EABCT). Έχει σημαντική επαγγελματική εμπειρία στο Λονδίνο, όπου εργάστηκε σε μη κυβερνητικές οργανώσεις και στο Εθνικό Σύστημα Υγείας της Αγγλίας (NHS), παρέχοντας ατομική και ομαδική ψυχοθεραπεία, καθώς και συμβουλευτική υποστήριξη σε ενήλικες και παιδιά, με βάση τα πλέον σύγχρονα θεραπευτικά μοντέλα της CBT(Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy). Στο πλαίσιο αυτό, έχει εξειδικευτεί στην αξιολόγηση και διαχείριση συναισθηματικών κρίσεων, διαπροσωπικών δυσκολιών και περιστατικών βίας σε παιδιατρικό και εφηβικό πληθυσμό, λαμβάνοντας εντατική κλινική εποπτεία. Κατά τη διάρκεια της επαγγελματικής της πορείας, έχει συνεργαστεί με Κέντρα Ειδικών Θεραπειών στη Θεσσαλονίκη, υποστηρίζοντας παιδιά με νευρο-αναπτυξιακές διαταραχές όπως ΔΕΠΥ και φάσμα του αυτισμού και τις οικογένειες τους. Δίνει ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στη δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς, εμπιστευτικού και υποστηρικτικού θεραπευτικού πλαισίου, ενώ παράλληλα διασφαλίζει την ποιότητα των υπηρεσιών της μέσω συνεχούς επιμόρφωσης, συμμετέχοντας σε διεθνή επιστημονικά συνέδρια του Ευρωπαϊκού φορέα Γνωστικών-Συμπεριφορικών θεραπειών.

Katerina Varela is a Psychotherapist - Social Worker, licensed to practice professionally. She maintains a private practice in Argyroupoli and provides psychotherapy services to adults, both in-person and remotely. She graduated from the Department of Social Work at the University of Patras and completed her training in the Person-Centered Psychotherapeutic Approach at the University of Strathclyde in Glasgow. She is a certified Psychotherapist by the European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP).

Since 2016, she has worked with vulnerable social groups, such as migrants and refugees, in the field of child protection and with women who have experienced abuse. Additionally, she has experience in coordinating parent groups and in providing therapeutic support to adolescents and their families within the framework of rehabilitation programs at KETHEA. Her work emphasizes the creation of a trusting relationship and a safe, supportive environment where each individual can freely express themselves and work respectfully with their uniqueness and needs.

Varelas Giorgos is a Consultant in Mental Health with a Integrative Approach and maintains a private practice in Akadimia Platonos. He studied Counselling (COSCA, Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) at the Athens Synthesis Center, has completed a one-year seminar in Group Analysis at the Group Analysis Institute 'S.H.Foulkes' and is a member of the Hellenic Counselling Society. Currently, he works as a Mental Health Consultant providing individual adult sessions both in-person and online.

Varinou Eirini - Soul Rythm is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist - Expressive Art Therapist who works online with clients in Greece and abroad. She graduated with honors from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has completed postgraduate studies in Dynamics, Communication, and the roles of individuals within groups at the University of Essex. Her passion for the Arts led her to specialize in Psychotherapy through Expressive Arts, a model developed by Avi Goren-Bar that integrates fundamental psychotherapeutic approaches with the Arts, aiming to understand the human psyche and harmonize the various aspects of the individual. This approach treats the human psyche holistically, allowing emotions to be better contained, as the arts complement what language and cognition often fail to reach.

Additionally, her training is consistently enriched with psychotherapeutic methods, including a three-year training in Psychodrama, a four-year participation in monthly seminars on Relational & Group Psychotherapy, and numerous workshops in the Internal Family Systems method, Authentic Movement, and body-inclusive psychotherapy approaches.

Throughout her career, she has provided services to numerous organizations and hospitals and is a founding member of the Association of Greek Expressive Therapists & Jungian Coaches. She conducts individual sessions with adults, couples, adolescents, and children who, for various reasons, prefer and choose online support. Finally, through continuous supervision and active participation in international and Greek conferences and study trips, she expands her knowledge and skills. More information about her approach can be found on her website soulrythm.com.

Varna Eleni is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Zografou. She studied Psychology at the University of Surrey and holds a master’s degree in Health Psychology from University College London. Subsequently, she specialized in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at Aeginiteio Hospital, at the Research University Institute of Mental Health, thereby shaping her psychotherapeutic approach and acquiring theoretical training and clinical experience. She gained further experience by completing her internship at the Hellenic Bipolar Organization. Concurrently, she has volunteered in psychological support and social assistance services via telephone. Subsequently, she collaborated with mental health facilities, acquiring experience with adults on the autism spectrum. In private practice, she focuses on counseling and psychotherapy for adults. Finally, she specializes in anxiety and mood disorders as well as psychosomatic symptoms.