Health professionals for Sadness and distress in Prefecture of Thessaloniki

Η Σοφία Τσακίρη MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος, απόφοιτη του προγράμματος Bachelor στην Ψυχολογία και Συμβουλευτική του Mediterranean College, σε συνεργασία με το Teesside University (Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο), από το οποίο αποφοίτησε το 2011. Το 2012 ολοκλήρωσε τις μεταπτυχιακές της σπουδές στην Ψυχολογία στο University of Plymouth (Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο). Σήμερα εκπαιδεύεται στη Συστημική Ψυχοθεραπεία και βρίσκεται στο 4ο έτος της τετραετούς εκπαίδευσής της. Εργάζεται ιδιωτικά, παρέχοντας υπηρεσίες ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης και συμβουλευτικής, ενώ έχει προσφέρει εθελοντικά τις υπηρεσίες της στο «Χαμόγελο του Παιδιού», αποκτώντας πολύτιμη εμπειρία στην υποστήριξη παιδιών και οικογενειών. Στο θεραπευτικό της έργο προσεγγίζει κάθε άνθρωπο ως τον μοναδικό ειδικό της δικής του εμπειρίας, αναγνωρίζοντας ότι οι προσωπικές ιστορίες, οι σχέσεις και τα νοήματα που συνδιαμορφώνονται επηρεάζουν τον τρόπο με τον οποίο αντιλαμβανόμαστε τον εαυτό μας και τον κόσμο γύρω μας. Μέσα από μια διαδικασία διαλόγου και συνδιαμόρφωσης νοήματος, υποστηρίζει τους ανθρώπους στην ανάδειξη των προσωπικών τους πόρων και δυνατοτήτων, στην εξερεύνηση νέων προοπτικών και στη διαμόρφωση αλλαγών που ανταποκρίνονται στις ανάγκες, τις αξίες και τις επιθυμίες τους. Βασική της προτεραιότητα αποτελεί η δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς, συνεργατικού και υποστηρικτικού θεραπευτικού πλαισίου, μέσα στο οποίο κάθε άνθρωπος μπορεί να νιώσει ότι ακούγεται, γίνεται κατανοητός και αντιμετωπίζεται με σεβασμό. Παράλληλα, έχει παρακολουθήσει σεμινάρια όπως η Συμβουλευτική Γονέων, η Συστημική Σεξολογία και Σεξοθεραπεία Ζευγαριών και Ατόμων, Άγχος και Κρίσεις Πανικού, Ψυχοπαθολογία κ.α.

Elena Georgakopoulou is a Counseling Psychologist - Psychotherapist for children, adolescents, and adults. She holds a professional license to practice in England (HCPC Register PYL 15025) since 2006, and a professional license in Greece since 2008. She is also a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and has worked as a Psychologist in the National Health Service of the United Kingdom (NHS), providing therapy to adults and children with severe clinical symptomatology. She has worked with adults and children and utilizes an eclectic and integrative model combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), systemic, and person-centered approaches. Her work often involves collaboration with parents, as well as coordination with other agencies such as educational settings, while in Greece she works remotely. She is interested in and can assist in areas such as autism and autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, anxiety and depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), low self-esteem and self-confidence, loss of meaning and direction in life, relational and attachment difficulties, and parental counseling. Sessions are also provided in English.

Ο Ρασκάτος Κωνσταντίνος MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος, ψυχαναλυτικής κατεύθυνσης λακανικού προσανατολισμού και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στην Θεσσαλονίκη. Είναι απόφοιτος του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης και κάτοχος Μεταπτυχιακού Τίτλου (MSc) στην Αλγολογία και την Ανακουφιστική - Παρηγορική Φροντίδα από το τμήμα Ιατρικής του Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλίας. Από το 2022 παρακολουθεί το εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα της Ακαδημίας Κλινικών Σπουδών της Αθήνας. Έχει εργαστεί στην Ομάδα Ψυχοκοινωνικής Μέριμνας του Ελληνικού Στρατού, καθώς και σε δομές ψυχοκοινωνικής αποκατάστασης, ξενώνες και προστατευόμενα διαμερίσματα, προσφέροντας ψυχολογική υποστήριξη σε άτομα με ψυχώσεις. Είναι μέλος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας της Νέας Λακανικής Σχολής και συμμετέχει ενεργά στις εργασίες της Σχολής. Ακόμη, λαμβάνει μέρος σε επιστημονικά συνέδρια και ενημερώνεται διαρκώς για τις σύγχρονες εξελίξεις στον χώρο της ψυχολογίας και της ψυχανάλυσης. Τέλος, ως ειδικός στο ιδιωτικό του γραφείο παρέχει υπηρεσίες ψυχολογικής υποστήριξης και ψυχανάλυσης.

Η ψυχανάλυση προσφέρει έναν χώρο, όπου ο καθένας μπορεί να πάρει τον λόγο και να μιλήσει ελεύθερα για όσα τον δυσκολεύουν. Μέσα από αυτή τη διαδικασία μπορεί να ανακαλύψει τον δικό του τρόπο να αντιμετωπίσει αυτό που τον φέρνει σε αδιέξοδο. Η ψυχανάλυση δεν δίνει έτοιμες λύσεις, ούτε συμβουλές. Δημιουργεί τις προϋποθέσεις, ώστε ο αναλυόμενος να επεξεργαστεί τη δική του πορεία, να αναγνωρίσει την επιθυμία του και να βρει έναν τρόπο ζωής που να ανταποκρίνεται στη μοναδικότητά του.

Angeliki Voulgaroglou is a Clinical Psychologist, holding undergraduate degrees from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology from Erasmus University of Rotterdam. She is trained in Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling for individuals, families, couples, and groups, integrating the systemic perspective into her entire clinical practice.

As a therapist, she approaches the individual within the context of their relationships and interactions, emphasizing patterns that shape behavior, emotions, and communication. Her goal is the joint exploration of new ways of connection and understanding within a safe and collaborative therapeutic environment.

She has worked both in specialized therapy centers and hospital settings, with significant experience at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of Papageorgiou General Hospital. She has expertise in adult psychotherapy, family therapy, couple therapy, parent counseling, as well as therapeutic support for children and adolescents. 

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.

Elena Soltaridou MSc, PhDc is a Psychologist and a doctoral candidate at the University of Thessaly. She is the scientific director of the Center for Psychotherapy of Children, Adolescents, and Adults located in Kalamaria, Thessaloniki. She conducts sessions at her office in Thessaloniki as well as online. She graduated with honors from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and has successfully completed the Master's program at the University of Piraeus in the field of Health Administration. She is specialized in Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy. She has published a children's story addressing anger management titled "Snowy and Gray learn about Anger" (2019) and a self-improvement and new behavior development guide titled "Changing Me" (2020). The book "Snowy and Gray learn about Anger" was a nominee for both the Public Audience Awards and the State Children's Book Awards, organized by the Ministry of Culture. Her book "Changing Me" was also nominated for the Public Audience Awards. In 2022, her next self-development book was published by Kaktos Editions, titled "100 Self-Development Tips 100 Lessons of Self-Knowledge," which was likewise nominated for the Public Audience Awards.

Silía Petronikolou is a Psychologist licensed to practice and a Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapist. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a degree grade of 9.01, and her postgraduate studies focus on Adolescent Medicine (Medical School, A.U.Th.). Simultaneously, she specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research - Macedonia Branch (EEES), a program certified by the European Association for Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT). Since 2020, she has been a scientific collaborator at the Laboratory of Medical Physics and Digital Innovation, Department of Medicine, A.U.Th., engaged in both clinical and research activities. Her research interests primarily focus on improving specific aspects of the quality of life of vulnerable population groups through the use of innovative technologies. Recognizing the importance of continuous education and training, she continues to attend trainings, conferences, and seminars related to her field, while also being under ongoing supervision. In her private practice in eastern Thessaloniki, she conducts psychotherapy and counseling sessions for adults and adolescents, both in person and online.

Skoufa Lida is a Psychologist with a private practice in Thessaloniki. She holds a PhD from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed postgraduate studies in Pain Management at the University of Ioannina. Additionally, she specialized in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy. She has significant experience and is currently a Research Associate at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki as well as a Trainer in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Medical Psychotherapeutic Center.

Maurovitou Andromaxi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist - Child Psychologist with a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and a Master's degree from the Medical School of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, specializing in "Developmental Psychopathology of infancy and early childhood." She has received further training in Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling through a comprehensive training program certified by the E.F.T.A. – European Family Therapy Association and the E.E.P.S.E – National Society of Psychotherapy of Greece. Her professional experience has been enriched by working in various psychological support settings for children and their families as well as adults. One of these includes her many years of work as a Psychologist - Coordinator at the Mother and Child Center of METAdrasi - Action for Migration and Development. Furthermore, respecting the need for continuous education and training in her work, she participates in seminars and training programs and is a member of the Systemic Society of Northern Greece. The practice offers psychotherapy and counseling services both in-person and online. Specifically, there is the possibility for individual psychotherapy and counseling for adults and adolescents, family psychotherapy, parent counseling, and couples counseling. This is an open and well-trained environment ready to listen to and support the concerns of any individual, particularly regarding issues of anxiety and stress, depression, gender identity, interpersonal relationships, grief management, parenting and couples' matters, eating disorders, self-esteem, and self-awareness.