Health professionals for Trauma

Η Αρανίτου Κατερίνα είναι Κλινικός Ψυχολόγος και διατηρεί το ιδιωτικό γραφείο της στο Χολαργό. Έχει άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος, με αριθμό 691715, είναι Τακτικό μέλος του Συλλόγου Ελλήνων Ψυχολόγων (ΣΕΨ) με ΑΜ: 3455 και Μέλος της American Psychological Association (APA). Ξεκίνησε την ακαδημαϊκή της πορεία αποκτώντας πτυχίο Ψυχολογίας,  από το κρατικό Πανεπιστήμιο της Νέας Υόρκης (State University of New York – Empire State University). Είναι κάτοχος  Μεταπτυχιακού διπλώματος (MSc) ειδίκευσης στην Κλινική Ψυχικής Υγείας, από το  Ηellenic American University, New Hampshire – USA, με εξειδίκευση στη Γνωστική Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT). Το Μεταπτυχιακό Πρόγραμμα στην Ψυχολογία (MSPsy) παρείχε ολοκληρωμένη εκπαίδευση και κατάρτιση στην τεκμηριωμένη (evidence-based) γνωσιακή συμπεριφοριστική προσέγγιση στη συμβουλευτική και την ψυχοθεραπεία. Είναι εκπαιδευμένη στη Θεραπεία Τραύματος με τη μέθοδο EMDR από την TAC HELLAS.

 Στο πλαίσιο της μετεκπαίδευσης της στην Κλινική Ψυχικής Υγείας  πραγματοποίησε κλινική πρακτική άσκηση και συμβουλευτική, υπό εποπτεία στη Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του 414 Στρατιωτικού Νοσοκομείου Ειδικών Νοσημάτων, από τον Ιούλιο 2021 έως τον Ιούλιο 2023.

Επίσης, κατά τη διάρκεια των βασικών σπουδών της στην Ψυχολογία, πραγματοποίησε πρακτική άσκηση στο Διακλαδικό Κέντρο Ψυχικής Υγείας,  από το 2018 έως 2019.

Επιπλέον, ειδικεύεται μέσω τετραετούς προγράμματος εκπαίδευσης στην Συστημική ψυχοθεραπεία, στο Εργαστήριο Διερεύνησης Ανθρωπίνων Σχέσεων, από τον Σεπτέμβριο 2024. 

Έχει συμμετάσχει σε αρκετά επιστημονικά συνέδρια, συγκεκριμένα,  στο 63th Annual European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA) Conference, που διεξήχθη στις 21-22 Οκτωβρίου 2022, βραβεύτηκε για την έρευνα που έχει διεξάγει στα πλαίσια του μεταπτυχιακού της, με τίτλο  "Ψυχική Ανθεκτικότητα ως Προστατευτικός Παράγοντας στις Ψυχιατρικές Διαταραχές κατά τη διάρκεια της στρατιωτικής θητείας" .

Επίσης, συμμετείχε ως ομιλήτρια για την Τεχνητή Νοημοσύνη στο χώρο της Ψυχικής Υγείας - τίτλος "Global Perspectives on Ethical Artificial Intelligence in Mental Health Care:Navigating the Ethical and Social Challenges", τον Οκτώβριο 2024, στο 65th Annual European Branch of the American Counseling Association (EB-ACA) Conference, στη Νυρεμβέργη Γερμανία. Τέλος, συμμετείχε στο 6th ICMM Pan European Regional Congress on Military Medicine, τον Απρίλιο 2024 και σε αρκετά Διεπιστημονικά Συνέδρια « Εγκέφαλος και Νους» το 2022,2023 & 2024, αντίστοιχα.   Κατά τη διάρκεια των εκπαιδεύσεων της στον τομέα της ψυχικής υγείας, ήταν στέλεχος των Ενόπλων Δυνάμεων με πολυετής εμπειρία, η οποία της προσέφερε βαθιά κατανόηση της ανθρώπινης συμπεριφοράς, του εργασιακού στρες και της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας—στοιχεία που εμπλουτίζουν την θεραπευτική της προσέγγιση.

Λόγω της εκπαίδευσής της στη συστημική ψυχοθεραπεία νιώθει ότι βρίσκεται σε προνομιακή θέση που δεν είναι υποχρεωμένη να αναφέρεται σε εκείνους που έρχονται για βοήθεια, ούτε ως ασθενείς ούτε ως πελάτες. Αποσυνδέεται η σχέση, τόσο από την παθολογία όσο και από την οικονομική συναλλαγή, καλώντας τους θεραπευόμενους.

Στη θεραπεία συνοδεύουμε τον θεραπευόμενο, να πει το αφήγημά του, μέχρι να βρει τη λύση στα προβλήματα που τον απασχολούν. Την λύση την έχει μέσα του, απλά δεν το γνωρίζει.

Ο θεραπευόμενος δεν πάει στη θεραπεία για συμμόρφωση ή για να τον αλλάξουν. Πάει στη θεραπεία για να τον ακούσουν, προκειμένου να μπορεί να καταλάβει ο ίδιος τι συμβαίνει και εφόσον το  επιθυμεί να αλλάξει μόνος του.

 Ένας «φροντισμένος» εαυτός, μέσω της θεραπείας, θα φροντίσει να κάνει  υγιείς σχέσεις, σε προσωπικό, ερωτικό, επαγγελματικό και κοινωνικό επίπεδο.

Semeli Balta-Messari is a Psychologist and Dance Therapist who maintains a private practice in Neos Kosmos. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete (2018). She holds a specialization in Jungian – Psychodynamic Counseling through Dance Therapy under the supervision of the Hellenic Center for Training – Psychotherapy through the Arts (Hellenic-British College of Athens), which she successfully completed in 2022. She has been trained in the Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) system and the Authentic Movement technique. The therapeutic model she follows combines Counseling Psychology techniques with the analysis of symbols and dreams, the approach to archetypes through creative methods, the Authentic Movement technique, and the Active Imagination technique. She has worked as a psychologist and dance therapist in both private and public institutions, providing psychological and counseling support to children, adolescents, and families, as well as populations with increased social and psycho-emotional needs. Currently, she is coordinating auxiliary work, as a specialist scientist, for the “Women InterACT” group at Restart Theater Athens, within the framework of a European program addressing the dual exclusion of women.

Stergiou - Stamou Stella is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Thessaloniki, providing psychotherapeutic and counseling services to adults, couples, and families. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with a focus on social-clinical psychology. She participated in the clinical training program of the 1st University Psychiatric Clinic of Papageorgiou Hospital. Subsequently, she completed her three-year training in systemic psychotherapy and counseling at the Systemic Institute of Thessaloniki. She is a member of the Greek Psychologists Association with registration number 2692, as well as the Systemic Society of Northern Greece. She holds a professional license to practice psychology throughout Greece since 2013. She has maintained a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki since 2016 and has also offered her services voluntarily at various institutions, such as the Mental Health Center of the Western Sector and the Thessaloniki Social Clinic. Additionally, the specialist has been trained and has a particular interest in issues such as depression, phobias, anxiety - panic attacks, psychosomatic disorders, trauma and post-traumatic stress, personality disorders, among others. She also deals with problems arising in the context of family and work, as well as couple-related issues. Finally, she has participated and continues to participate in psychology and psychotherapy workshops and conferences, aiming to stay continuously updated with developments in the mental health field.

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

Christina Xristidou is a Psychotherapist specializing in Art Psychotherapy. She has training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy and Humanistic Psychotherapy. She has completed continuing education programs in the management of depression and anxiety disorders, Trauma-Informed Care, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and Sandplay Therapy. She adopts an integrative approach, aiming to best meet the needs of each individual client.

She maintains a private practice in the center of Thessaloniki since 2019, where she provides individual psychotherapy sessions for adults and adolescents. Additionally, she collaborates with psychologist Vicky Filippidou and My Therapy Room to conduct self-awareness and psychotherapy groups.

Konstantoulaki Eleni MSc, MA is a licensed Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist specialized in the Systemic - Existential approach, with experience in the treatment of adolescents, young adults, adults, couples (EFT | Emotionally Focused Therapy) and families. She provides psychotherapy both individually and in group settings, with sessions available online. Her goal is to create a safe therapeutic environment where each individual or group can feel acceptance and trust, having the space to explore thoughts, feelings, and relationships, progressing with awareness towards a more conscious, meaningful, and authentic life.

Xatzopoulos Dimitrios is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Kavala, a space where personal contact and trust create the ideal environment to begin the journey of self-awareness and well-being. As a psychologist with a degree in Psychology from the University of East London (UEL), he creates a safe and confidential environment for his clients, offering psychological support and counseling to individuals facing various issues and difficulties. Every person is unique, as are the challenges they encounter. He provides a safe space for individuals to explore their emotions, understand their behaviors, and develop new coping strategies. Through the application of theories and techniques learned during his studies, personal study, and professional experience, he offers specialized support for issues such as mental disorders (e.g., depression, ADHD, etc.), psychological problems (e.g., caregiver anxiety, anger, and hostility, etc.), as well as medical issues with psychological factors (e.g., insomnia, migraine, etc.). His approach is based on professional ethics and his commitment to providing quality care to his clients. Through his skills and enthusiasm for psychology, he offers a valuable source of support.

Anastasia Xani is a Psychologist-Psychotherapist conducting online sessions. She holds a BSc degree in Applied Psychology and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology and Counselling (MSc) from the University of Derby. She completed her internship at Roots Wellness Center as a Clinical and Counselling Psychologist, managing a substantial number of cases under clinical supervision. She has collaborated with Specialized Therapy Centers, conducting individual and group psychotherapy sessions with adults, adolescents, and children, as well as offering parental counselling. Currently, she provides online sessions, addressing issues such as anxiety, mood disorders, self-esteem, and confidence. Additionally, she has attended numerous seminars related to psychotherapeutic intervention, focusing primarily on cognitive-behavioral therapy. The main focus of her therapeutic approach is to establish a relationship of safety and trust with the client, aiming to improve their mental health.

Oikonomou Nasia is a certified Systemic Psychotherapist and Family Therapist. She has been trained in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relationships, holds a postgraduate degree in Special Psychology-Counseling from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and is a graduate of Oxford Brookes University in Psychology. 

She has received training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (couples therapy) and has specialized in trauma treatment using BEAR GUIDELINES for the treatment of trauma.

She has collaborated professionally and voluntarily with the Foundation for Children, Pammakaristos, the School for the Deaf of Filothei, the Psychopedagogical Center of Marousi, the Psychopedagogical Center of Vyronas, and the diagnostic department of the Agia Sofia Children's Hospital. She has also worked with the Dandolina daycare and the Model Daycare of Erythraia. Currently, she maintains a private practice in Kifisia where she works with adults, groups, couples, parents, and families, providing Psychotherapy and Counseling services on issues related to anxiety, relationship and emotional management (loneliness, depression, grief, abuse, panic attacks), and self-awareness (psychological empowerment).

Dr. Angelos Panagiotopoulos is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist, a graduate of the University of Geneva, PhD and researcher at the Department of Psychology of the University of Athens, supervisor of theses at the Society for Cognitive Behavioral Studies and a certified Cognitive Behavioral Therapist.

He studied Psychology at the University of Plymouth, England, where he received a commendation for academic excellence. He specialized in Clinical Psychology at the University of Geneva, Switzerland as a University Scholar, doing his clinical training at the Psychiatric Department of the University Hospital of Geneva. Upon his return to Greece, he served for one year at the General Staff of the Army as a psychologist at the Soldiers' Support Line.

He followed a 4-year specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Society for Cognitive Behavioral Studies and worked as a psychotherapist for children, adolescents and adults at the Institute for Behavioral Research and Treatment and the Center for Child Neurodevelopmental Education. Along with his clinical training, he completed his PhD thesis at the Department of Psychology, University of Athens as a fellow of the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation.

He is currently a thesis supervisor at the Society for Cognitive Behavioral Studies, works as a researcher at the Department of Psychology of the University of Athens in a funded research project and maintains his private office in the area of Ampelokipoi-Platia Mavilis.

Ana de la Guía is a qualified Clinical Psychologist and Psychotherapist and professional license holder. After completing her five-year studies in Psychology at the University of Jaén, Spain, she continued her studies at the University of Málaga in a pre-doctoral master's degree in Social Research and Intervention. After that, she specialized in a four-year certified program by the European Association for Psychotherapy in Person-centered Psychotherapy at the College of Humanities ICPS in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde (Scotland). Later, she completed a two-year master's degree in Clinical Psychology at the University of Elche, Spain. Ana has also specialized in cognitive behavioral therapy as a Bachelor's and Master's approach and she has completed the first level of EMDR in trauma. In this moment, she has just completed her specialization in sexual therapy from the University of Valencia. As a personal interest, she studies existential psychology, as well as philosophy and anthropology. She is currently taking a training program in Couples Counseling Therapy at KETHESY. During her professional career she has worked in the public and private sectors in Spain and in Greece providing psychotherapy services in different contexts as well as psychosocial intervention in international organizations such as the UN High Commissioner, International Organization for Migration or the Greek Forum of Refugees. In recent years until today, she has been working privately providing individual and group sessions for adults and teenagers, educational programs and workshops as well as personal development retreats.

Karouzi Ioanna is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Agios Eleftherios. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Counseling and Psychotherapy Program in the Person-Centered Approach at ICPS, College of Human Sciences. She is a member of the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP).

During her professional career, she has worked in numerous shelters and mental health centers, gaining valuable experience in counseling support for children and their families as well as psychological support for refugees. She has previously volunteered with the Non-Profit Organizations "Freedom Gate Greece" and "The Smile of the Child." In her private practice, she specializes in counseling, non-directive intervention, and the person-centered approach. Finally, she has attended numerous seminars and conferences aimed at continuous education and training in her field.

Diamantopoulou Amalia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Kalamata. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and a master's degree in "Addictology - Addiction Treatment" from the same university. She has been trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Behavior and is participating in the four-year International Postgraduate Program in Counseling and Psychotherapy: Systemic, Narrative, and Collaborative-Dialogical Approach at the KEDIVIM of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She completed her practical training at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni" and at the Damon and Phintias Boarding House, and has volunteered at The Smile of the Child and the Child Mental Health Center in Athens. Additionally, she has worked as a Psychologist in a Special Education Center, a center for creative activities and emotional development. To date, she continues to offer her services as a collaborator in a private office while also volunteering at the Psychological Support Line milamou.gr. In her private practice, she provides a wide range of services, respecting the unique needs of each client.

Papaeuaggelou Maria is a Psychologist – Systemic Family Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She holds a BSc in Psychology from London Metropolitan University and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire. She has obtained a Professional Diploma in Systemic and Family Therapy from the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations, as well as a Professional Diploma in Mental Health Counseling (Person-Centered Approach) from the College for Humanistic Sciences – ICPS, certified by Pearson UK. Additionally, she has specialized in Emotional Trauma Management and Personality Disorders at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has completed clinical internships at the Outpatient Detoxification Clinic "Athena" of Aiginiteio Hospital and at OKANA (Organization Against Drugs), gaining experience in the assessment and therapeutic support of individuals with addictive behaviors and their families. Her therapeutic approach is based on Systemic and Person-Centered Psychotherapy, emphasizing the creation of a safe framework of trust and acceptance that facilitates personal awareness, empowerment, and meaningful change. Finally, her office provides personalized psychotherapy and counseling services tailored to the needs of each individual, couple, or family, aiming at empowerment, improvement of quality of life, and meaningful personal development.

Ranoutsou Georgia is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She holds a degree in Sociology from the School of Social Sciences at the University of Crete and a degree in Psychology from the School of Social Sciences at MBS College. She has worked as a Psychologist in the private practice of Ioanna Niakaki, in the breast cancer organization, in the Psychiatric Clinic of Venizeleio - Pananio Hospital, and in the Oncology Clinic of the Regional University General Hospital of Heraklion. Additionally, she has worked as a Psychologist in the Pathology Clinic at the "ALLILEGGYIS" Alzheimer's Center and as a Psychologist - Sociologist at the Mental Health Center of Rethymno. In her practice, she addresses cases across the entire spectrum of psychology and mental health, with a specialization in couples therapy, depression, and anxiety and mood disorders.

Nicoletta Gogou is a Psychologist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Department of Philosophy, Pedagogy, and Psychology at the University of Ioannina. Later, she continued with Psychology (B.Sc.) and subsequently completed her master's degree in Clinical and Community Psychology at the University of East London. She has served as an Assistant Psychologist at the Adult Psychiatric Clinic of Papanikolaou Hospital in Thessaloniki and currently worked as a Psychotherapist – Psychologist at the Institute of Psychology and Health in Thessaloniki. Notably, she provides psychological services in Parent Counseling and Child and Adult Therapy at Learning and Sensory O.E. in Thessaloniki. Additionally, she has participated in numerous clinical and specialized workshops focusing on trauma at the Institute of Psychology and Health. In her private practice, she offers individual therapy sessions based on the Psychodynamic approach.

Ο Νίκος Τσιούμας είναι Ψυχολόγος - Γνωσιακός Συμπεριφορικός Ψυχοθεραπευτή, και συνιδιοκτήτης του Κέντρου Ψυχοθεραπείας και Συμβουλευτικής Ενηλίκων «Δια Ψυχής». Ολοκλήρωσε τις σπουδές του στην επιστήμη της Ψυχολογίας το 2014, ενώ τo 2016 αποφοίτησε με τιμητική διάκριση από το Μεταπτυχιακό του Cardiff Metropolitan University στην Ψυχολογία της Υγείας. Το 2017 ολοκλήρωσε με επιτυχία το Ετήσιο Πρόγραμμα Κατάρτισης στην Γνωσιακή – Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία του Πανεπιστημίου Αιγαίου, προσέγγιση στην οποία και αποφάσισε να εκπαιδευτεί περεταίρω στην μετέπειτα πορεία του.

Έχει εργαστεί ως καθηγητής σε προπτυχιακά και μεταπτυχιακά προγράμματα από το 2018, όταν και επέστρεψε από σπουδές στην Αγγλία, μέχρι και το 2025, όπου επέλεξε να αφοσιωθεί εξ ολοκλήρου στην Ψυχοθεραπεία. Έχει διδάξει σε τμήματα Εργοθεραπείας, Λογοθεραπείας, Παιδαγωγικών, Διαιτολογίας και Ψυχολογίας, ενώ έχει διετελέσει μέλος της διοικητικής ομάδας του τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Aegean College. Από το 2022 εκπαιδεύεται στην Γνωσιακή – Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία στο Κέντρο Εφαρμοσμένης Ψυχοθεραπείας & Συμβουλευτικής [ΚΕ.ΨΥ.ΣΥ] καθώς και έχει εργαστεί ψυχοθεραπευτικά, τόσο ιδιωτικά όσο και ως θεραπευτής στο Κέντρο Λογοθεραπείας – Εργοθεραπείας «Το Ρόδι».

Κατέχει άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος Ψυχολόγου στην Ελλάδα, έχει πραγματοποιήσει πρακτική στο Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Νίκαιας Πειραιά «Άγιος Παντελεήμων» και στο Κέντρο Ημέρας Alzheimer στο Μαρούσι, ενώ έχει παρουσιάσει ερευνητικές εργασίες σε πανευρωπαϊκά και διεθνή συνέδρια. Εξειδικεύεται στην θεραπεία ενηλίκων και εργάζεται με ευρύ φάσμα συμπτωματολογίας, συμπεριλαμβανομένων αγχωδών διαταραχών, συναισθηματικών διαταραχών, φοβιών και διαταραχών προσωπικότητας. Ως ψυχοθεραπευτής, στόχος του είναι η δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς περιβάλλοντος με έμφαση στην κατανόηση και την αποδοχή. Για τον ίδιο, η επίτευξη απτών αποτελεσμάτων και εμφανούς αλλαγής αποτελούν χαρακτηριστικά υψίστης σημασίας στην πορεία προς την αυτογνωσία και το ευρύτερο θεραπευτικό ταξίδι.