Health professionals for Sadness and distress

Η κα Χατζιδοσπυριδάκη Μαρία Ελένη είναι Κλινική Ψυχολόγος,MSc – Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια Παιδιών, Εφήβων και Ενηλίκων. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Μάκρη. Διαθέτει πολυετή εμπειρία στον χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας, έχοντας εργαστεί σε νοσοκομεία, ιδιωτικά ιατρεία, κλινικές και δομές υποστήριξης παιδιών και οικογενειών.

Αναλαμβάνει παιδιά, εφήβους, ενήλικες, γονείς και ζευγάρια που αντιμετωπίζουν συναισθηματικές και ψυχολογικές δυσκολίες, διαταραχές συμπεριφοράς, διατροφικές διαταραχές. Επίσης, μαθησιακές δυσκολίες σε παιδιά και εφήβους, αλλά και προβλήματα όπως άγχος, φοβίες, κρίσεις πανικού, διαταραχές συμπεριφοράς, κατάθλιψη, χαμηλή αυτοεκτίμηση, δυσκολίες στις σχέσεις, ειδικές μαθησιακές δυσκολίες, διαταραχές του φάσματος αυτισμού, καθώς και προβλήματα που προκύπτουν στη διάρκεια της εγκυμοσύνης και της λοχείας. Παρέχει κλινική αξιολόγηση, συμβουλευτική και ψυχοθεραπεία σε ενήλικες, ζεύγη ,εφήβους και παιδιά. Επιπλέον,έχει εξειδίκευση στην ψυχοπροφυλακτική υποστήριξη εγκύων - λεχώνων, καθώς και στην αντιμετώπιση διατροφικών διαταραχών.

Σπούδασε Ψυχολογία στο Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών και είναι κάτοχος μεταπτυχιακού τίτλου (MSc) στην Κοινωνική Ψυχιατρική και Παιδοψυχιατρική από την Ιατρική Σχολή του Πανεπιστημίου Ιωαννίνων, με εξειδίκευση στην ψυχική υγεία παιδιών και ενηλίκων. Επιπλέον, έχει ολοκληρώσει πολυετή εκπαίδευση στην ψυχοθεραπεία μέσω της Ομοσπονδίας Ευρωπαϊκών Οργανισμών Εκπαίδευσης στην Ψυχοδραματική Ψυχοθεραπεία (F.E.P.T.O.), εμπλουτίζοντας την κλινική της πρακτική με σύγχρονες και βιωματικές ψυχοθεραπευτικές τεχνικές.

Η επαγγελματική της διαδρομή, άνω των 20 ετών, περιλαμβάνει θέσεις σε δημόσιες και ιδιωτικές δομές ψυχικής υγείας, ψυχοπαιδαγωγικά κέντρα, σχολεία, νοσοκομεία και ψυχοθεραπευτικά ιατρεία. Παράλληλα με την ψυχοθεραπεία παιδιών, εφήβων και ενηλίκων, ειδικεύεται στην αξιολόγηση και υποστήριξη μαθησιακών δυσκολιών, καθώς και στη συμβουλευτική και ψυχοθεραπεία γονέων και ζευγαριών.

Η φιλοσοφία της θεραπευτικής της προσέγγισης βασίζεται στη δημιουργία μιας ουσιαστικής και εμπιστευτικής σχέσης με τον θεραπευόμενο, που διέπεται από σεβασμό, αποδοχή και ενσυναίσθηση. Κάθε παρέμβασή της είναι εξατομικευμένη, προσαρμοσμένη στις ανάγκες, στο αίτημα και στον προσωπικό ρυθμό του κάθε ατόμου, παιδιού ή ενήλικα.

Η κα Χατζιδοσπυριδάκη δίνει μεγάλη έμφαση στη συμβουλευτική γονέων, υποστηρίζοντας τον ρόλο τους σε κάθε στάδιο ανάπτυξης του παιδιού. Το γραφείο της αποτελεί έναν εξειδικευμένο φορέα Ψυχολογικής, Παιδοψυχολογικής και Ειδικής Παιδαγωγικής Υποστήριξης. Κάθε θεραπευτική διαδικασία πραγματοποιείται με σεβασμό στις μοναδικές ανάγκες του κάθε παιδιού ή εφήβου, σε στενή συνεργασία με την οικογένεια και, όπου απαιτείται, με το σχολικό περιβάλλον.

Στόχος της είναι η ολόπλευρη ανάπτυξη και η ενίσχυση της ψυχολογικής, κοινωνικής, μαθησιακής και συναισθηματικής ευημερίας κάθε ατόμου που την εμπιστεύεται – μικρού ή μεγάλου – ώστε να μπορέσει να πορευτεί με περισσότερη αυτογνωσία, σταθερότητα και ποιότητα στη ζωή του.

Eleonora Tsilimpakou is a Social Worker, graduate of Democritus University of Thrace, with postgraduate studies in Clinical Social Work with families and children from the University of West Attica. After completing her postgraduate studies, she trained as a Career Guidance Counselor at the Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education and completed a four-year training program in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy and Training Center. Additionally, she has been trained in coordinating parent groups by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as in the Healthy Relationship Building Program between the two genders. She possesses extensive professional experience as a Social Worker, having worked in both private and public sectors, including the Elderly Care Unit "Frontizo," the Adult Psychiatric Clinic "Agia Aikaterini," the 2nd Special Vocational Education and Training Laboratory (EEEKK) of Piraeus "Anixi," the Foster Care Service of SOS Children’s Villages, the 2nd Local Health Unit of Nea Filadelfeia, as well as the Day Center for Children and Adolescents of the Hellenic Society of Medical Psychology. As a Career Guidance Counselor, she has collaborated with the Career Office of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and since 2020 she has maintained a private practice in Agia Paraskevi, Attica, where she provides psychotherapy services in both individual and group settings.

Dr. Maria Livanou, PhD, MSc, Senior Lecturer, is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist specializing in child and adolescent therapy, with a particular emphasis on the psychodynamic approach. She has an academic background in the United States and the United Kingdom and holds an academic post at King’s College London (KCL). Her research focuses on child and adolescent mental health.

Her therapeutic approach is primarily grounded in psychodynamic therapy, aiming to understand deeper emotional processes and relationship patterns. At the same time, it remains individualized and holistic, responding to the unique needs of each child, adolescent, adult, and family.

During sessions, parental counselling and parent therapy are offered—from pregnancy through the early years of the child—along with support for families during early parenthood. Discussions may include topics related to early child development and the parent–infant relationship. She places particular emphasis on addressing communication difficulties, enhancing psychological well-being, building self-confidence, and improving social relationships.

She works with a wide range of issues concerning childhood and adolescence, including:

• Anxiety and anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic attacks)
• Phobias, separation anxiety, and attachment issues
• Depressive mood, depression, social withdrawal
• Adjustment difficulties and emotional distress
• Psychosomatic symptom
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulties in communication and social relationships, family conflicts, and adaptation to change (e.g., divorce)
• Grief and loss management
• Eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns
• School-related difficulties, academic stress, and performance anxiety
• Issues of identity, self-image, and adolescent development
• Conduct problems, anger management difficulties, delinquent behavior
• Family counselling and therapy
• Neurodevelopmental difficulties (e.g., autism, ADHD)
• Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), developmental trauma, and adverse childhood experiences

Pavlos Karathanos is a licensed Psychologist (License No. 281828/5193) who offers online therapy sessions based in Athens, Greece. He completed his undergraduate studies in Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and pursued further training in Theoretical Approaches at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in Music Therapy (therapy through the arts).

In 2011, he provided his services as a Psychologist at the Psychological Support and Telecounseling Helpline of KETHEA, and later worked at the American School of The Hague in the Netherlands, offering one-to-one coaching

He has specialized in issues related to anxiety disorders, emotional regulation difficulties, panic attacks, psychosomatic symptoms, performance anxiety, school-related stress (including university entrance exam anxiety), tics, and the empowerment of LGBTQI+ individuals.

He is in ongoing personal therapy and clinical supervision.

Patenidis Fotis is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki, where he conducts individual sessions. Online sessions are also available; however, in-person attendance is encouraged as it facilitates a more meaningful connection between the client and therapist and contributes more effectively to the therapeutic process. A limited number of reduced-fee slots are available for individuals facing financial difficulties (students, unemployed).

For the past 5 years, he has been training in Character Analysis, an approach based on the principles of psychodynamic theory and the connection between emotion and bodily sensations. He is a graduate of the Applied Psychology (BSc Hons) program at the University of Derby and the Mathematics Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holding a Master's degree with a specialization in Philosophy and Didactics of Mathematics, as well as additional training in Special Education.

He emphasizes the creation of a relationship built on safety and trust, where the client can establish meaningful contact with their emotions, reconnect with their body, and explore deeper aspects of the self. The goal is to understand internal conflicts and ultimately resolve them through the experiential processing of traumatic experiences, leading to gradual personal change, always respecting the pace and needs of each individual.

Kalograiaki Iro is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who provides individual psychotherapy and counseling support sessions at her private practice in Cholargos.

Her approach is systemic, with an emphasis on understanding the individual within the context of relationships, family, and significant systems.

The therapeutic process focuses on exploring internal conflicts, relational patterns, and emotional difficulties that recur in the individual's life. Simultaneously, communication methods, roles, and experiences that have influenced emotional functioning are examined, taking into account the personal and family context as well as the impact of traumatic experiences.

The goal of therapy is not superficial relief but a deeper understanding of the self, enhancement of psychological resilience, and meaningful change, enabling the individual to relate with greater freedom and awareness to themselves and others.

Sessions are conducted both in-person and online, within a framework of safety, confidentiality, and respect.

Ioanna Marmarou BSc, MSc, PhD is a Clinical - Counseling Psychologist who maintains a private practice in the center of Athens, in Exarchia. She holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology from the University of East London, a master's degree in Clinical & Community Psychology, and a bachelor's degree in Psychology from the same university. The therapist is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society with professional license number 309612. The therapeutic process follows the Integrative Approach, which successfully incorporates Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy, Psychodynamic therapy, and Gestalt therapy. She holds certifications in School Psychology, Sexual Education for Children and Adolescents, and Drama Therapy. At Ioanna Marmarou's private practice, the counseling and psychotherapeutic process focuses on the uniqueness of each individual, allowing them to express every right - wrong, good - bad, normal - abnormal, realistic - imaginary, light - dark aspect of themselves and their broader life. The purpose of this therapeutic process is to serve as a journey for the client to explore their own self and their relationship with themselves, as well as the relationships and boundaries they have established within their social environment. A core principle of the therapist is the empowerment of the individual, aiming to build healthy relationships, achieve inner fulfillment, and maintain functionality in daily life.

Kazepi Mikaela - Ermioni is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Marousi. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specializes in stress and anxiety disorders through her postgraduate studies in the "Science of Stress and Health Promotion" program at the Medical School of Athens. She is specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) with certification from Aeginiteio Hospital, the Research University Institute of Mental Health. She has been a member of Aeginiteio Hospital of Athens in the "Early Intervention in Crisis" department and in the hospital’s regular outpatient clinics. Additionally, she has previously served as a Psychologist at the Mental Health Center of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas". Subsequently, she completed the postgraduate seminar in Clinical Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis" of the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has completed her academic training in the annual postgraduate Clinical Training Program for Psychologists of the same institution. Concurrently, she conducts psychotherapy sessions with adults and adolescents, providing support for issues related to anxiety, stress, and other psychological difficulties.

Gesthimani Pantelidou is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist and has been running the Mental Health Center - "aniGma" in Nea Smyrni for the past 7 years. She deals with issues related to personal anxieties, difficulties and dilemmas, family matters, issues and challenges concerning adolescents and the elderly, as well as emotional, psychosomatic, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, and the management of loss and grief. Additionally, as a personal coach with extensive experience in the business sector, she supports the encouragement of change, motivation, utilization of personal potential, enhancement of self-confidence and self-esteem, management of indecisiveness, as well as goal setting and achievement. Based on the Synthetic Approach, she combines techniques from Person-Centered, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Psychodynamic therapies, as well as personal coaching techniques, to flexibly adapt to the needs and personality of each client. In today’s era of general disorientation and loneliness, the human individual strives to cope with pain, fear, and anxiety arising from the ambiguity of their constantly changing life. Psychological support and counseling sessions aim to reveal the distinctly personal functional adaptation method of the individual to the present and future of their life, discovering the unused potentials of their soul in conjunction with the ongoing cultivation of their communication skills with their environment.

“...I am not entirely guilty for the life I lead, since I did not choose it, nor am I entirely innocent from the moment I continue it...”

Ntikouli Aleksandra was born and raised in Larissa and has lived in Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Kos, and Kozani. Additionally, during her postgraduate studies, she lived for two years in the city of Malmö, Sweden. After completing her studies, she gained clinical experience in various settings, working with children, adolescents, adults, and families. She studied Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and then completed her postgraduate degree in Criminology at Malmö University. Currently, she is training in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy (CBT) at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research. She completed her internship at the Counseling Center of KETHEA ITHAKI in Thessaloniki, where she provided counseling to families of adolescent and adult substance users, participated in group meetings of the center’s members, and engaged in report writing and file organization for the members. During her professional experience as a School Psychologist in Public Education, she collaborated with professionals such as Social Workers, Speech Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Special Educators, organized and conducted prevention and crisis intervention programs related to the school environment, provided parental counseling, as well as individual sessions to children and adolescents diagnosed with ADHD, Autism, and other Developmental Disorders. Additionally, she administered various standardized cognitive assessment tools for children, such as the Raven Standard Progressive Matrices Test, sets A, B, C, D, and E, and the Greek version of the Weschsler Intelligence Scale for Children (WISC-III). She also provided training in social skills using cognitive-behavioral techniques and various psychoeducational tools. Currently, she works privately as a Psychologist, offering online sessions to diverse populations.

Emmanouela Pappa is a Psychologist with a private practice in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, and extensive training in modern and psychoanalytic approaches. She graduated from the University of East London (2018) and has been trained in clinical hypnotherapy as well as child psychology through a certified training program at the University of the Aegean. She has completed the first cycle of training in systemic psychotherapy and is concurrently undergoing ongoing psychoanalytic training, focusing on the Lacanian approach. Additionally, she has attended a one-year coaching program at the Athens Coaching Institute, specializing in the relationship between guidance and psychological empowerment (without participation in certification examinations). She addresses cases of anxiety, depression, panic attacks, identity and relationship disorders, as well as difficulties in self-definition or emotional regulation. She has a particular interest in career direction and life-course changes. She works with individuals who feel blocked, uncertain, or pressured by choices, helping them connect with their needs and desires in order to build a meaningful path. She continually invests in further education and supervision, actively participating in psychoanalytic seminars, reading groups, and conferences both in Greece and abroad.

Η Βακονδίου Μαρία είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στους Αγίους Αναργύρους. Είναι απόφοιτη του τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και έχει ολοκληρώσει τετραετή κλινική εκπαίδευση στη Συστημική Συμβουλευτική και Ψυχοθεραπεία στο Ινστιτούτο Εκπαίδευσης και Έρευνας “Λόγω Ψυχής”. Στο ίδιο κέντρο ολοκλήρωσε, επίσης, κύκλο ειδίκευσης στη θεραπεία ζεύγους. Από το 2011 και μετά έχει εργαστεί τόσο σε εθελοντικό, όσο και σε πρακτικό και κλινικό πλαίσιο σε φορείς, όπως είναι το Παιδοψυχιατρικό Τμήμα του Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Παίδων “Π. & Α. Κυριακού”, στην Παιδοψυχιατρική Κλινική του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών στο Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Παίδων “Αγία Σοφία”, στο Ιατροπαιδαγωγικό Κέντρο Αθηνών, στον Συμβουλευτικό σταθμό του Δήμου Πετρούπολης, καθώς και στο Σύλλογο “Ανοιχτή Αγκαλιά” με παιδιά που βρίσκονται στο φάσμα του αυτισμού. Παράλληλα με τις σπουδές και την εξειδίκευσή της, έχει πάρει μέρος σε συνέδρια και σεμινάρια Ψυχολογίας, Συμβουλευτικής και Ψυχοθεραπείας, φροντίζοντας για συνεχή εκπαίδευση, προσωπική ανάπτυξη και ενημέρωσή της για τις σύγχρονες εξελίξεις. Τα πιο συνήθη αιτήματα που αντιμετωπίζονται στον προσωπικό της χώρο είναι τα εξής : άγχος, κρίσεις πανικού, δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις, ψυχοσωματικά συμπτώματα, αρνητικά συναισθήματα (θλίψη, θυμός, απογοήτευση), διαχείριση εργασιακού άγχους, υπερβολική ντροπή, συναίσθημα ενοχής, δυσκολία στη διεκδικητικότητα, πένθος και απώλεια αγαπημένων προσώπων. Από το 2015 διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στην Αθήνα, στην περιοχή των Αγίων Αναργύρων. Εργάζεται συμβουλευτικά και ψυχοθεραπευτικά με άτομα, ζευγάρια και οικογένειες. Στόχος της αποτελεί η δημιουργία μιας ασφαλούς βάσης, προκειμένου το άτομο να μπορέσει να αναγνωρίσει και να διευρύνει όλες τις πλευρές του εαυτού του, με στόχο μία καλύτερη ποιότητα ζωής. Στο γραφείο, και σε συνεργασία με συναδέλφους, αλλά και κατά μόνας, πολύ συχνά πραγματοποιεί βιωματικά σεμινάρια σχετικά με διάφορα θέματα ψυχολογίας και

ψυχοθεραπείας.

Anita Prodromou, always respecting the uniqueness of each individual, is a PhD candidate at the University of Essex in the United Kingdom. She is a Psychologist and has been operating a private practice in Piraeus (near the train and metro station) since 2012. She is a member of the SEPS, BPS, and BACP. She holds a degree in Integrative Counselling with a specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), as well as a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Essex. Additionally, she holds a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and Counselling from the University of Derby. She is also certified by the BPS as a supervisor of psychology students and professionals. Her approach is Integrative Counselling, incorporating Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as well as Person-Centered Therapy, always respecting the individual. The focus of the therapeutic process depends on each unique case. Following the initial assessment session, the most appropriate therapeutic approach is selected based on evidence-based research as the most effective method for each individual. Sessions are available for adults, adolescents, young adults, children, families, and couples.

A Step Beyond is a center for Counseling, Psychotherapy, Personal Development, Wellness, and Prosperity Growth. It was established by Kentro Psyxikis Ygeias Kai Euimerias A Step Beyond - Katranis Konstantinos Kai Synergates with the aim of providing therapies to individuals who wish to overcome their problems, to make their lives fuller and more beautiful, and to be guided towards wellness and prosperity through the necessary and appropriate means. The center’s specialists act as allies and companions for those who seek to discover new strategies and apply them, to enhance and utilize their internal resources, to learn new things or to view old matters from new perspectives, to heal traumas, to acquire new skills, to overcome fears and phobias, to eliminate chronic stress, and to live mindfully in the present moment, setting goals and achieving them. At A Step Beyond, the individual’s needs are addressed by selecting the appropriate specialist from among the trained Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Mental Health Professionals, or Personal Development Counselors to design a flexible and tailored evolution plan for each person.