Health professionals for Συμβουλευτική γονέων και παιδιών near Elliniko

Denaksa Lena is a Psychologist and the founder - Scientific Director of the Counseling & Psychotherapy Center "Close to the Family" in Glyfada. She studied Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Synthetic Systemic Psychotherapy at the Laboratory for the Study of Human Relationships. Additionally, she has completed several postgraduate trainings in areas such as Cognitive Behavioral Drama (CBD), eating disorders, learning difficulties, and Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD). She has extensive experience, having worked in various institutions and organizations, and continues to coordinate experiential parent groups in schools.

Mpanouta Maria is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist - Child Psychologist and maintains a private practice in Palaio Faliro. She studied Psychology (BSc in Psychology) at the University of Essex and obtained a Master's degree in Child Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire.

She holds certified training in Special Education - Mental Disorders of Children and Adolescents from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and in Sexual Education in schooling from the University of the Aegean. Finally, she has completed studies at the Athens Academy of Clinical Studies (AKSPA).

Toumanian Nektar is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Ilioupoli. She studied Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and holds a license to practice as a Psychologist. She completed postgraduate studies in Clinical and Developmental Psychopathology at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, and later specialized in the four-year Systemic Psychotherapy and Family Therapy Program at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relationships, enabling her to work therapeutically with individuals, families, couples, and groups. Additionally, she has been trained in Grief Support and Counseling for children, adolescents, and mourning families, the role of applied neuroscience in mental health, Vocational Guidance, as well as the Multidimensional Personality Inventory MMPI-2. She has extensive experience, having collaborated with mental health organizations in both the private and public sectors, providing psychological support and counseling to socially vulnerable groups, children, adolescents, and families. In the past, she has volunteered with NGOs, Mental Health and Research Centers, as well as Psychosocial Rehabilitation Units and Residential Facilities. Finally, she regularly attends scientific conferences and continuing education seminars, considering continuous education and self-development a fundamental "tool" in her professional career.

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.

Katsika Athanasia is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist with a private practice in Argyroupoli. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology of the Faculty of Philosophy in Athens and is licensed to practice as a psychologist. She specializes in Systemic Counseling and Psychotherapy and holds certification as a systemic psychotherapist. She has been trained in the assessment and rehabilitation of learning difficulties and in specialized behavioral intervention models for the psychoeducation of families with children with developmental disorders. For more than ten years, she worked as a psychologist in private special education centers, conducting individual and group sessions for children and adolescents with developmental and learning difficulties. Concurrently, she provided counseling sessions for parents and families. Additionally, she has participated as a speaker in national conferences on special education and counseling society events.

Frrokai Foteini - Elvisa is a Psychologist - Systemic Family Psychotherapist (BSc, MSc, PhDc), PhD Candidate in Psychology, a Sylff Japanese Foundation Fellow, and maintains a private practice in Glyfada. Regarding her educational background, she obtained her first degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and subsequently earned a Master’s Degree specializing in "Counseling Psychology" from the University of Athens. As a top graduate of the University of Athens, she was awarded by the Sylff Japanese Foundation for "High academic performance and leadership skills." She continued her studies as a PhD Candidate in Psychology at the Department of Early Childhood Education of the University of the Aegean under the supervision of Professor Anastasia Tsabarli, with her doctoral thesis entitled "The Quality of the Sibling Relationship in the Greek Family with a Child with Anxiety Disorder." Concurrently, she completed the four-year program in Systemic Psychotherapy (Individual, Couple, Family) at ESYTHEPAS, which is recognized training by the European Family Therapy Association (EFTA). Between 2019-2022, she served as President of the Chios Psychologists Association and for three consecutive years (2020-2022) she held the 1st position among distinguished businesses in the Health sector in Chios as assessed by the company "AEOTI TIS YGEIAS." She is a highly trained professional with many years of experience, as detailed below. She engages in an ongoing process of education, personal psychotherapy, and supervision, believing that a good therapist has a dual role: that of a professional and a scientist.

Ariadni Karatzeni is a graduate of the School of Social Work. She studied at the University of West Attica, specializing in Counseling Psychotherapy and Clinical Child and Adolescent Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. As an active member of the Hellenic Association of Social Workers, she is committed to promoting social change, resolving interpersonal issues, and empowering individuals to enhance their well-being. Guided by the principles of social work, she applies theories of human behavior and social systems to intervene at points where individuals interact with their environment. The principles of human rights and social justice, along with respect for these rights, are fundamental. Her primary objective is to facilitate the social integration of marginalized, excluded, and vulnerable social groups experiencing high-risk situations. Intervention using specific scientific approaches in dysfunctional social situations and crises empowers individuals, groups, and communities to resolve biopsychosocial problems and promote their social adaptation and well-being.

The Kentro Eidikon Therapeion Epi Paidos in Alimos is committed to supporting children with difficulties and their families who need assistance during this stage of their lives from a qualified professional with expertise and genuine concern for the optimal and swift progress of the child. The center offers assessments and therapeutic sessions conducted by a Speech Therapist, Occupational Therapist, and Child Psychologist. Special education and academic support sessions are also provided. Parents receive support through counseling sessions. The interdisciplinary team is supervised by Kassimi Penny, Speech Therapist, specialized in ADHD and Developmental Disorders. She studied Speech Therapy at the School of Health Sciences of the Technological Educational Institute of Patras and holds a diploma from the Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), with a professional practice license and work experience since 2009. She specializes in speech and language delay, phonological disorders, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, apraxia, developmental disorders, and learning difficulties. The individualized therapeutic programs, tailored to the needs of each child with respect for their personality and uniqueness, aim primarily to improve the quality of life for the child and their family.

Papaioannou Natassa is a Psychologist - Child Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Alimos. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the Open University of the United Kingdom and completed her postgraduate studies in developmental psychology with distinction (Master of Science in Child Psychology) at the University of Central Lancashire, England. As part of her continuous education and training, she is being trained in the systemic family and couples therapy approach at EPIPSY (Research University Institute of Mental Health), as well as in the theoretical foundations and practice of the modern and innovative therapeutic approach "play therapy." She is also a certified member of Play Therapy (PTUK - Play Therapy UK) of England. She has served as a Psychologist at the largest special education school in the Balkans (EEEEDK Agios Dimitrios) and in child protection facilities in the public and private sectors, most notably the SOS Children’s Villages, where she continues to work, providing her services always with the aim of the best possible support for the individualized needs of each person she undertakes. Additionally, since 2020, she has been working at Aeginiteio University Hospital of Athens (1st Psychiatric Clinic) as a Psychologist on research projects. The groundbreaking results of the research conducted to date have been published in two reputable international scientific journals. Finally, it is worth mentioning that sessions are available — for both adults and children — in person or online.

Passa Xrysanthi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist maintaining a private practice in Glyfada. She holds a degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a master's degree in Developmental Disorders from the University of Lancaster, UK. She specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy from the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling and is certified in developmental psychopathology and parent counseling. She is trained in the administration and evaluation of psychometric tools (WISC-III, Athens Test, projective tests (CAT & TAT), Achenbach). Currently, she participates in a one-year professional training program in clinical hypnosis - bio-rhythmic psychotherapy and collaborates with centers for specialized therapies offering psychotherapy for adults, children, and parent counseling. Additionally, she works with and coordinates parent groups at Lollipop kindergartens. She is a member of the Association of Greek Psychologists, the British Psychological Society, and the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, while being certified by the European Federation of Psychologists’ Associations. Finally, she participates and speaks at conferences, seminars, and workshops covering the full spectrum of Psychology topics, maintaining unwavering interest and passion for her field.

The Kentro Eidikon Therapeion Epi Paidos in Alimos envisions supporting children with difficulties and their families who need assistance during this period of their lives, provided by a qualified professional with expertise and genuine interest in the optimal and accelerated progress of the child. The center conducts assessments and therapeutic sessions by Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Child Psychologists. Sessions of special education and school support are also provided. Parents receive support through counseling sessions. Its multidisciplinary team is supervised by Kassimi Penny, a Speech Therapist specialized in ADHD and Developmental Disorders. She studied Speech Therapy at the School of Health Sciences of the Technological Educational Institute of Patras and holds a diploma from the Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education (ASPETE), with a professional license and work experience since 2009. She specializes in speech and language delays, phonological disorders, attention deficit and hyperactivity, apraxia, developmental disorders, as well as learning difficulties. The individualized therapeutic programs, tailored to the needs of each child with respect to their personality and particularities, aim primarily at improving the quality of life of the child and the family.

Dr. Christina Patitsa is a licensed Psychologist practicing privately in her office in Paleo Faliro. She holds a PhD from Panteion University, with a research focus on relationship counseling and partner selection. She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology in Boston, USA, holds a master's degree in counseling psychology from Boston College, and has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy and Counseling. She has attended numerous postgraduate training programs, including those at Harvard Medical School and the Benson Institute, related to positive psychology and family therapy. She possesses ten years of clinical experience and has worked in various settings. She provides psychological support to adults, both individually and as couples, as well as online, addressing a broad range of issues such as anxiety problems, interpersonal relationships, anger, self-esteem, infertility, crisis management, and occupational stress. She has an extensive teaching background and a recognized body of written and research work on mental health topics.

Gkirlemi Aria is a Clinical Psychologist and PhD candidate in Clinical Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a private practice in Glyfada. She graduated from the Department of Psychology and holds a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she received further training in the Medical School Program on "Anxiety Disorders in Children and Adolescents" and "Assessment and Treatment of Infants, Children, and Adolescents with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She also attended a postgraduate seminar in Clinical Psychopathology at the "Panagiotis Oulis" First Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens - Aeginiteio Hospital, in collaboration with the Research University Institute of Mental Health. She served as an external collaborator at the Inpatient Unit - Child Psychiatry Department at the General Children's Hospital "Agia Sofia" and subsequently worked as a psychologist at the Center for Special Therapies "Speech and Communication." From 2020 to 2022, she worked as a psychologist at the Center for Special Therapies "Efthymia Logou." Since 2022, she has been working in the Mobile Mental Health Units of the Northeastern and Western Cyclades of the Regional Development and Mental Health Company. In 2023, she began collaborating with the Galinos Mental Health Institute. Finally, she has published articles in reputable journals.

Η Χρυσάνθη Σωφρονά, Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας – Master Positive Psychology Coach, διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Γλυφάδα, παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες συμβουλευτικής ψυχικής υγείας, ψυχοθεραπευτικής υποστήριξης και επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένου (evidence-based) coaching σε ενήλικες. Το coaching που εφαρμόζει βασίζεται στις αρχές της Ψυχολογίας του Coaching και αξιοποιεί επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένες μεθόδους, με στόχο την ενίσχυση της ψυχικής ευημερίας, της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας και της προσωπικής ανάπτυξης.

Είναι κάτοχος Μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου (MSc) στην Εφαρμοσμένη Θετική Ψυχολογία και την Ψυχολογία του Coaching από το University of East London. Παράλληλα, διαθέτει πολυετή εξειδικευμένη εκπαίδευση στη Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική Ψυχικής Υγείας, στην Αναλυτική Ψυχολογία κατά Carl Gustav Jung, στην Ψυχοθεραπεία μέσω Τεχνών και στο Evidence-Based Coaching, ενσωματώνοντας δημιουργικά τις αρχές της Θετικής Ψυχολογίας, της Αναλυτικής Ψυχολογίας, της Συνθετικής Συμβουλευτικής Ψυχικής Υγείας και της Ψυχολογίας του Coaching σε μια συνθετική, εξατομικευμένη και επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη θεραπευτική προσέγγιση.

Η διαρκής επιστημονική εξέλιξη αποτελεί βασική αρχή της επαγγελματικής της πορείας. Εκπαιδεύεται συνεχώς σε σύγχρονες ψυχοθεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις και επιμορφώνεται στους τομείς της Θετικής Ψυχολογίας, της Ψυχικής Ανθεκτικότητας (Resilience), της Ευημερίας (Wellbeing), της Συναισθηματικής Νοημοσύνης, της Ψυχοεκπαίδευσης και του συντονισμού βιωματικών ομάδων.

Διαθέτει πολυετή επαγγελματική εμπειρία στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό και υποστηρίζει ενήλικες που αντιμετωπίζουν άγχος, χρόνιο στρες, φοβίες, μεταβάσεις και κρίσεις ζωής, δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις, χαμηλή αυτοεκτίμηση, συναισθηματικές δυσκολίες, πένθος και απώλεια, καθώς και επαγγελματική εξουθένωση (burnout). Παράλληλα, συνεργάζεται με άτομα που επιθυμούν να ενισχύσουν την αυτογνωσία, την ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα, τη συναισθηματική ευημερία και την προσωπική ή επαγγελματική τους ανάπτυξη.

Στην ψυχοθεραπευτική της εργασία ακολουθεί μια συνθετική, εξατομικευμένη και επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη προσέγγιση, αξιοποιώντας στοιχεία από τη Θετική Ψυχολογία, την Αναλυτική Ψυχολογία, τη Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική Ψυχικής Υγείας και την Ψυχολογία του Coaching. Δημιουργεί ένα ασφαλές και υποστηρικτικό θεραπευτικό πλαίσιο, βασισμένο στην εμπιστοσύνη, τον σεβασμό και τη συνεργασία, μέσα στο οποίο κάθε άνθρωπος μπορεί να κατανοήσει βαθύτερα τον εαυτό του, να αναπτύξει τις προσωπικές του δυνάμεις, να ενισχύσει την ψυχική του ανθεκτικότητα και να επιτύχει ουσιαστική και διαρκή αλλαγή.

Παράλληλα, σχεδιάζει και υλοποιεί προγράμματα ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας, προσωπικής ανάπτυξης, ευημερίας και επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένου (evidence-based) coaching για ιδιώτες, ομάδες, εκπαιδευτικούς και οργανισμούς. Συμμετέχει επίσης ενεργά σε δράσεις ψυχοκοινωνικής υποστήριξης και ενδυνάμωσης ατόμων τρίτης ηλικίας, συμβάλλοντας στην προαγωγή της ενεργού γήρανσης, της ποιότητας ζωής και της ψυχικής ευημερίας.

Triantafyllidou Sofia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Alimos. She holds a doctorate in Clinical Social Psychology from the University of Crete. She has received specialized training in a range of psychotherapeutic approaches, including Clinical Psychotherapy using Hypnotherapy (certified by GHSC), EMDR, as well as Music Therapy employing the Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and Music Imagery (MI) methods. Additionally, she completed postgraduate studies in Educational Psychology at the University of Nicosia. Her professional experience includes extensive work as a psychologist in private practice, as well as in psychosocial support structures for students at higher education institutions such as the University of West Attica and the former Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Athens. She taught Psychology courses for several years at tertiary institutions and vocational training centers (IEK), and has been a member of the Collaborating Educational Staff at the Hellenic Open University since 2013. She has provided psychological support to vulnerable social groups, including individuals with visual impairments and detainees at the Korydallos Judicial Prison Second Chance School, and has served as a Parent Counselor in schools in the Attica region. Her scientific and teaching activities are further supported by research work conducted at the Universities of Crete and Athens.

The INTERNUS counseling and psychotherapy center, led by clinical psychologist Mr. Kargakis Emmanouil - Internus, maintains offices in Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, and Athens, offering a wide range of services concerning treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, and promotion of mental health, primarily based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Mr. Kargakis, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with postgraduate studies in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at La Salle University of Philadelphia, and his experienced associates, supported by a modern and continuous framework of supervision, training, and professional development through attendance at national and international psychology conferences, ensure the provision of the most advanced mental health services. Over the years, our center has developed activities and collaborations with various organizations such as SOS Children's Villages, O.E.V.E.N.H, O.E.V.E.N.X, secondary education tutoring centers, schools of various levels, sports clubs, educational seminars for the general public, appearances on television and radio programs, and contributions to local blogs. Sessions are conducted by appointment either in person or online.