Health professionals for Counseling and psychotherapy in Macedonia

Petrou Vilma MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and conducts online sessions. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Athens with honors. She has held a professional practice license since 2021 and has specialized in stress management and anxiety disorders through the postgraduate program "Science of Stress and Health Promotion" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her psychotherapeutic approach is based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in which she was trained through the four-year training program of the Institute for Research and Behavioral Therapy (IEΘS). Simultaneously, through her participation in a holistic stress management and lifestyle change program for heroin-dependent users at the OKANA Unit of Sismanogleio Hospital, she gained valuable experience in the management of addictions, providing both individual and group sessions. In recent years, she has worked with children, adolescents, and adults, offering psychotherapy and counseling on issues such as anxiety disorders, depression, emotional difficulties, and interpersonal relationship challenges. Her experience includes individual adult sessions (both in-person and online), as well as sessions with children and adolescents through her collaboration with Special Therapy Centers. Her goal is to tailor the techniques she applies to the individualized needs of each client, aiming to improve their mental health and quality of life.

Η Αγγουρά Μιχαέλα είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας, με ολοκληρωμένες σπουδές στη Συμβουλευτική και Ψυχολογία και εξειδίκευση στη Συμβουλευτική Σχέσεων, στη Συστημική Προσέγγιση και στην Ομαδική Ψυχοθεραπεία. Υποστηρίζει ανθρώπους που θέλουν να διαχειριστούν το άγχος, να βελτιώσουν τις σχέσεις τους και να αποκτήσουν περισσότερη αυτοπεποίθηση. Στις συνεδρίες της θα βρεις ένα χώρο όπου μπορείς να μιλήσεις ανοιχτά, χωρίς φόβο ή κριτική και να βρεις τρόπους να ταιριάζουν σ' εσένα ώστε να αισθάνεσαι καλύτερα. Στόχος της είναι να φύγεις από κάθε συνεδρία νιώθοντας πιο δυνατός και με ξεκάθαρα εργαλεία που μπορείς να εφαρμόσεις στην καθημερινότητά σου και να αποκτήσεις μεγαλύτερη σιγουριά, ηρεμία και ισορροπία. Ενθαρρύνει με βαθιά πίστη τη δύναμη της ανθρώπινης σύνδεσης και την ικανότητα του κάθε ανθρώπου να αναπτυχθεί μέσα από την επίγνωση, την αποδοχή και τη φροντίδα του εαυτού του. Μέσα σε ένα ασφαλές και υποστηρικτικό θεραπευτικό πλαίσιο, προσφέρει τον χώρο στον θεραπευόμενο να εκφραστεί ελεύθερα, να διερευνήσει τα βιώματά του και να εργαστούν μαζί προς την κατεύθυνση της προσωπικής ενδυνάμωσης και εξέλιξής του. Η βάση της δουλειάς της στηρίζεται στη Συστημική Προσέγγιση, την οποία εμπλουτίζει με στοιχεία από άλλες μεθοδολογίες, ώστε να ανταποκρίνεται ουσιαστικά και ολοκληρωμένα στις ανάγκες των ανθρώπων που απευθύνονται σε εκείνη. Η εκπαίδευσή της περιλαμβάνει: Ατομική Συστημική Θεραπεία και Θεραπεία Ζεύγους, Ομαδική Συμβουλευτική και Ψυχολογία, Συμβουλευτική και Ψυχολογία, Συμβουλευτική Σχέσεων και Ζευγαριών. Η επαγγελματική της εμπειρία περιλαμβάνει εργασία σε ιδιωτικά κέντρα ψυχικής υγείας, όπου υποστηρίζει ενήλικες και ζευγάρια σε ποικίλες ψυχοκοινωνικές προκλήσεις. Στην πορεία της έχει συνοδεύσει ανθρώπους που αντιμετωπίζουν άγχος, στρες, συναισθηματική κόπωση, δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές και ερωτικές σχέσεις, έλλειψη αυτοεκτίμησης και αυτοπεποίθησης, θλίψη, απώλεια, συναισθηματικά τραύματα, μεταβάσεις ζωής και υπαρξιακά ερωτήματα. Η προσέγγισή της βασίζεται στη Συστημική Θεωρία, η οποία βλέπει το άτομο ως μέρος ενός ευρύτερου πλαισίου – της οικογένειας, των σχέσεων και των κοινωνικών του δικτύων. Μέσα από αυτό το πρίσμα, μαζί με τον θεραπευόμενο διερευνούν πώς οι σχέσεις και τα συστήματα στα οποία ανήκει επηρεάζουν τις σκέψεις, τα συναισθήματα και τις συμπεριφορές του. Πιστεύει ότι η θεραπευτική διαδικασία είναι μια δυναμική και δημιουργική διαδρομή κατανόησης και αλλαγής, με στόχο την ενίσχυση της σύνδεσης, της επικοινωνίας και της εσωτερικής ισορροπίας. Απευθύνεται σε όποιον νιώθει την ανάγκη για αλλαγή, επιθυμεί να ακουστεί σε βάθος ή να συνδεθεί ουσιαστικά με τον εαυτό του, συνοδεύοντάς τον με σεβασμό και ενσυναίσθηση.

«Η αλλαγή ξεκινά από τη στιγμή που αποφασίζεις να σε ακούσεις.»

Mpoutouridou Georgia is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Katerini. Concurrently, she works as a psychologist in a facility for individuals with disabilities. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology and specializes in Systemic Psychotherapy, training at the Center for Systemic Therapy and Study of Thessaloniki (KE.S.ME.TH). Additionally, she has completed a one-year specialization in Sensory & Messy Play through the mental health multipurpose center "Psycho-lo-Yia," where she worked as a Psychologist at the central Toumpa branch. She is distinguished by her love of learning and dedication to the science of Psychology, actively participating in numerous educational seminars and maintaining ongoing interest in the psychosocial development of children, adolescents, and adults. She has provided voluntary psychological services to Non-Governmental Organizations for people with disabilities as well as to a support center for abused women, and has completed internships both in a private psychology practice and at university counseling centers. She is fluent in Greek, English, and Romanian, combining theoretical training with genuine empathy and professional ethics. Finally, the specialist maintains a private practice and her own mental health and therapy multipurpose center "Psycho-lo-Yia Katerinis," offering services to children, adolescents, and adults.

Anna Xanioti is a Mental Health Counselor and Psychotherapist specializing in the Person-Centered Approach. She trained in the 4-year experiential program "Person-Centered Roots" at the College of Humanistic Studies ICPS in Athens. She is a certified Psychotherapist accredited by the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP) and holds the European Certificate of Psychotherapy (ECP). She ensures her professional development through continuous supervision, therapy, and participation in seminars and conferences. Her areas of interest include the integration of contemporary neuroscience with psychotherapy, developmental trauma and its impact on personal relationships, psychoemotional care of women during menopause, and encounter and personal development groups.

Dimitra Karakasi is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has completed postgraduate studies and specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). She has worked in mental health facilities and school units, gaining experience in providing psychological support to adults, adolescents, and children. She deals with issues related to anxiety, depression, difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and enhancing self-esteem. Her clinical practice is based on scientifically validated methods, aiming to promote mental health and personal development.

Papadopoulou Georgia (Tzia) is a Psychologist - Integrative Psychotherapist, graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of East London and holder of a master's degree in Counseling & Psychotherapy. She applies the integrative psychotherapy model, tailoring the approach to the unique needs of each individual client. She combines techniques from cognitive, psychodynamic, and person-centered approaches with the aim of improving emotional well-being, personal development, and self-understanding. She provides individual sessions for adults and young people over 18 years old who wish to address issues such as anxiety, stress, emotional difficulties, low self-esteem, relationship challenges, losses, or identity crises.

She does not undertake a diagnostic role but focuses on psychological support and counseling, offering a safe, confidential, and warm environment for the client. She deeply believes in the power of acceptance, authenticity, and internal change. Her goal is to provide high-quality and scientifically supported psychological care, with humanity, empathy, and respect for each person's needs.

“I am not here to tell the client what to do. I am here to explore together what is happening within and around them, and to find, step by step, the path that fits their unique personality.”

Kavadatos Aleksios, BSc, MSc, is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist with a private practice in Kozani. He graduated from the Department of Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and holds a Master's Degree (MSc) in Clinical Psychology from the same institution. He has been trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Group Analysis, and possesses over 20 years of experience in the field of Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Adult Psychotherapy. He has served as the Scientific Supervisor in psychosocial rehabilitation facilities in Thessaloniki and Kozani, as well as a Supervisor of the psychological support program of the 3rd Health Region “No One Alone During the Pandemic”. Additionally, he was a member of the Scientific Committee for the psychological support telephone line 10306. From 2009 to 2023, he maintained a private practice in Thessaloniki and currently practices professionally in Kozani. Since 2023, he has been the President of the NPO IONOS, an organization active in mental health and social rehabilitation. He has attended numerous seminars and conferences aimed at continuous professional development and has many publications and presentations in the mental health field. He has organized and coordinated counseling groups for parents, caregivers of persons with disabilities, educators, and healthcare professionals, as well as psychoeducational groups for managing anxiety and professional burnout.

Kollia Mairi is a psychologist. She holds a professional practice license with protocol number 4346/07-11-2019. She graduated with honors from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Athens. She specialized at the postgraduate level in Clinical Psychology (MSc in Clinical Psychology) at Leiden University in the Netherlands, where she graduated with distinction cum laude. She has completed a four-year study program in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Society of Cognitive and Behavioral Studies (ΕΓΣΣ). Additionally, she has been trained in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), also provided by the Society of Cognitive and Behavioral Studies (ΕΓΣΣ). Furthermore, she has specialized in trauma therapy using the EMDR method at the Institute of Trauma Therapy. She has also received training in "Counseling and Mental Health in Infertility, the Perinatal and Reproductive Period" at the University of West Attica, focusing on psychological support regarding infertility, pregnancy, and transition to parenthood (postpartum depression, perinatal anxiety, tokophobia, birth trauma, etc.). Currently, she works privately, conducting individual therapy sessions with adults, both in-person and online. She also collaborates with a clinic based abroad, providing psychotherapy online to clients worldwide. In parallel, she maintains a collaboration with an assisted reproduction (IVF) clinic and is a member of an interdisciplinary team at a gynecological clinic in central Athens. Sessions are conducted in Greek and English.

Mpita Eirini is a Psychodynamic Psychotherapist – Mental Health Counselor and a graduate of Sociology from Panteion University, with private practices in Athens and Norway. She has been trained in Couples Therapy & Parenting Counseling and has further specialized in Child Psychology and Infant and Preschool Child Psychology (NKUA). Additionally, she regularly attends annual seminars and lectures. Her internship at the Greek Forum of Migrants and her voluntary work with the Norwegian Red Cross have enhanced her sensitivity to issues of cultural integration, identity, and mental health support for vulnerable populations. Having lived and worked in multicultural environments, she approaches therapy with openness, understanding, and respect for the uniqueness of each individual. She works with adults and couples facing difficulties such as anxiety, depression, panic attacks, relationship challenges, or life transitional phases. For Mpita Eirini, therapy is a profound dialogue where symptoms serve as starting points for understanding and processing what has not yet been expressed. She creates a safe space where each person can freely express themselves and meaningfully connect with their inner self.