Health professionals for Couple counseling near Kalamaria

Ioannou Xristina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in Thessaloniki. She holds a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University. She has completed an Annual Seminar in Clinical Psychopathology, a Theoretical Experiential Seminar on Understanding and Managing Self-Destructive Behavior, and has participated in a Self-Awareness Group and Seminars related to the First Interview Technique, Relaxation Methods, Daydream Technique, Breathing Exercises, and Addiction.

Loizos Nikos is a Clinical Psychologist who maintains a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. He is a graduate of the Psychology Department of Panteion University. He completed his postgraduate studies in medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a specialization in "Clinical Mental Health," through which he has acquired extensive knowledge and understanding of the complexity of the human mind and mental functions. Additionally, he is in the process of completing his training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), aiming to obtain official certification as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist. His knowledge of psychopathology and mental disorders qualifies him as a competent therapist capable of providing reliable and valid diagnoses. This is exceptionally important for the implementation of effective treatment. As a Cognitive Behavioral Therapist, he possesses all necessary knowledge, research-backed techniques, and management strategies for comprehensive and effective intervention across a wide range of mental disorders. Research has shown that CBT is the most effective therapeutic method compared to other therapeutic approaches. It is a short-term therapy, typically lasting 3 to 4 months on average, depending on the nature of the difficulties and the needs of the client. His goal is to help those who trust him find functional ways to manage their difficulties. A key concern of his is to develop a strong therapeutic relationship with his clients, based on understanding, empathy, and compassion. He strives to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where individuals can openly express their concerns and collaborate towards improving their mental health and overall quality of life.

Dr. Samaras Apostolos is a Mental Health Counselor with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He holds a degree in Clinical Psychology and Pathology from the University of Paris Paris VIII and possesses an advanced diploma (D.E.A.) in education from the same University. The Mental Health Counselor specializes in communication issues, interpersonal relationships, and has particular expertise in family and marital psychotherapy, anxiety disorders, and behavioral problems. He continuously participates in conferences and seminars to stay updated on developments in his field and has a substantial number of publications in the Greek press. Finally, Dr. Samaras Apostolos is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society, the World Federation for Mental Health, the International Association of Family Therapy, and the International Society of Psychopathology & Clinical Psychology.

Lampardis Pasxalis is a Psychologist and author with a private practice in Thessaloniki. He studied Psychology and completed postgraduate studies in Clinical and Community Psychology at the University of East London, specializing in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Additionally, he has undertaken introductory training in Person-Centered Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Center for Focusing, Psychoanalytic Therapy at the Freudian Society of Northern Greece, and Art Therapy at the Art Therapy Studio. He has extensive experience working with human behavior and the treatment of mental disorders, as well as authoring literary books related to psychology. In therapy, his primary priority is the effective management of each individual's psychological issues to alleviate distress and facilitate better coping with their difficulties. Within a framework of safety, trust, and respect for the uniqueness of each person, potential solutions to any issue are explored.

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.

Andromaxi Sdoukou is a Psychologist and Systemic Psychotherapist practicing privately in Thessaloniki. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed her postgraduate degree in Systemic Psychotherapy at the University of Central Lancashire (UClan), in collaboration with the College of Humanities ICPS. She has completed training programs in Postmodern Systemic Approaches to Psychotherapy (Solution-Focused, Narrative, Collaborative Approach) at the Bienestar center, as well as in Systemic and Family Therapy at the Mental Health Center (KPSY) of the Western Sector of Thessaloniki. Additionally, she has completed training in Grief Support and Counseling at Merimna Thessaloniki and in Cinematherapy at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. As part of her training, she has gained clinical experience in public mental health structures and non-governmental organizations in Thessaloniki, specifically in the Alternative Therapy Program for Dependent Individuals "ARGO," at the Mental Health Center of the Western Sector of Thessaloniki, and in the Social Service of ARSIS. From 2020 to 2021, she provided voluntary psychotherapeutic and counseling services in the Short-Term Psychological Support Group in days of Covid-19, a solidarity initiative she co-created with other Solution-Focused psychotherapists. She has volunteered at the Cinematherapy Festival, the world’s first Cinematherapy Festival, and since 2020 she has been writing articles on cinema and psychology. Currently, she provides psychotherapeutic services to adults, families, and couples through face-to-face or online sessions.

Maria Tsirakidou is a Psychologist with a private practice in Thessaloniki. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth and holds a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Child Clinical Psychology from Anglia Ruskin University in England. Subsequently, she trained and was certified in Systemic Therapy and Counseling through a four-year program at the Center for Systemic Therapy and Counseling (Ke.S.Me.Th.). She has clinical experience in healthcare institutions. Her professional expertise covers a broad range of adult mental health issues including anxiety, panic attacks, mood disorders, eating disorders, unwanted behaviors including addictions, trauma, phobias, obsessive thoughts and compulsions, grief, chronic pain, and psychosomatic problems. Additionally, she provides psychological support for chronic and non-chronic conditions, aiming at managing the challenges arising from an illness and promoting overall health. Within a framework of safety, trust, and respect for the uniqueness of each individual, the goal is the well-being of clients and the management of their individualized needs. She has participated in educational programs for refugee children in schools in England.

Tranta Elena is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. Having completed her studies at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, she moved to the United Kingdom, specifically to the University of Sheffield, where she pursued postgraduate studies in Counseling Psychology. Additionally, she received further training in Systemic - Family Therapy at the Institute of Systemic Thinking and Psychotherapy. She also holds certified postgraduate training from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on clinical psychology of children and adolescents as well as divorce management. She has experience working in various settings, both through internships and voluntary work. Finally, she has attended and participated in numerous postgraduate and scientific seminars.

Η Μαρία Ζήκου είναι Ψυχολόγος με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος και Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια. Αποφοίτησε από το Τμήμα Ψυχολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης, ενώ έχει ολοκληρώσει το μεταπτυχιακό πρόγραμμα «Διαχείριση της Μαζικής Μετανάστευσης και Πληθυσμών σε Κίνηση» του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεία στο Ινστιτούτο Συστημικής Θεραπείας Θεσσαλονίκης, πιστοποιημένο εκπαιδευτικό ινστιτούτο από το Επιμελητήριο Ινστιτούτων Εκπαίδευσης της Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρείας Οικογενειακής Θεραπείας (EFTA TIC) και από την Ευρωπαϊκή Εταιρεία Ψυχοθεραπείας (EAPTI, ΕΕΨΕ).

Η επαγγελματική της πορεία από το 2019 συνδέεται με τον χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας, της παιδικής προστασίας και της υποστήριξης ευάλωτων πληθυσμών. Έχει εργαστεί ως ψυχολόγος σε δομές ψυχικής υγείας και κοινωνικής φροντίδας, καθώς και σε οργανώσεις που δραστηριοποιούνται στην προστασία παιδιών και εφήβων με προσφυγικό ή μεταναστευτικό υπόβαθρο. Μέσα από τη συνεργασία της με φορείς όπως η ΜΕΤΑδραση και η ΑΡΣΙΣ, απέκτησε πολυετή εμπειρία στην ψυχοκοινωνική υποστήριξη εφήβων, νέων ενηλίκων και οικογενειών, στη διαχείριση σύνθετων περιστατικών και στην υποστήριξη ανθρώπων που βρίσκονται αντιμέτωποι με μεταβατικές ή ιδιαίτερα απαιτητικές συνθήκες ζωής. Έχει δραστηριοποιηθεί επαγγελματικά στον τομέα της παιδικής προστασίας, συντονίζοντας και υποστηρίζοντας υπηρεσίες για ασυνόδευτους ανηλίκους. Εργάζεται ιδιωτικά ως ψυχολόγος-ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και είναι μέλος της Συστημικής Εταιρείας Βόρειας Ελλάδας (Σ.Ε.Β.Ε.).

Προσεγγίζει την ψυχοθεραπεία ως μια διαδικασία συνεργασίας, στην οποία θεραπευτής και θεραπευόμενος συνδιαμορφώνουν έναν χώρο ασφάλειας, εμπιστοσύνης και αποδοχής. Μέσα από τη συστημική οπτική, δίνει έμφαση στην κατανόηση του ανθρώπου μέσα στο πλαίσιο των σχέσεών του και των εμπειριών που έχουν συμβάλει στη διαμόρφωση της ιστορίας του. Πιστεύει ότι η θεραπεία μπορεί να αποτελέσει μια ευκαιρία για βαθύτερη αυτογνωσία, ενίσχυση των προσωπικών πόρων και δημιουργία νέων τρόπων σύνδεσης με τον εαυτό και τους άλλους. Μέσα από τη συστημική προσέγγιση, δίνει έμφαση στην κατανόηση του ανθρώπου ως μέλους ενός ευρύτερου δικτύου σχέσεων και εμπειριών. Θεωρεί ότι οι δυσκολίες που αντιμετωπίζουμε δεν αποτελούν χαρακτηριστικά της προσωπικότητάς μας, αλλά συχνά συνδέονται με τα πλαίσια μέσα στα οποία ζούμε και σχετιζόμαστε. Η θεραπεία μπορεί να αποτελέσει έναν χώρο όπου αναδύονται νέες οπτικές και νέοι τρόποι αντιμετώπισης των προκλήσεων της ζωής.

Nomikou Maria is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist based in Thessaloniki. She studied Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed postgraduate studies in the field of Cognitive Psychology (MSc in Cognitive Psychology and Applications, AUTH). As a Psychotherapist, she has received training in various forms of psychotherapy. She has undergone extensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and is a certified member of the EACBT. Additionally, she trained in Bioenergetic Psychotherapy - Clinical Hypnosis and is currently a trainee in Schema Therapy. Furthermore, she has specialized in the administration of the MMPI-2 (Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory) through ISON Psychometrica and has attended numerous professional development seminars. Psychotherapeutically, she works with adults, families, couples, and adolescents in face-to-face sessions or via Skype. Her clinical experience was acquired through employment and volunteer roles in mental health facilities in both the public and private sectors, with additional specialization in dementia and developmental disorders, providing psychological support to children, the elderly, and their family networks.

Valamoutopoulos Theodoros is a Psychiatrist - Psychotherapist - Group Analyst, Consultant at the 424 General Military Training Hospital, and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. He manages a wide range of cases encompassing the entire spectrum of his discipline, with a notable specialization in Psychoanalysis, Group Psychotherapy, Psychoses, Psychosexual Disorders, and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy. Additionally, since March 2021, the doctor has been a member of the International Psychoanalytical Association.