Health professionals for Trauma in Athens

Pliakou Maria BSc, MSc is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Kaisariani (near Karavel - Evangelismos metro station). She studied Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, completing her fourth year of studies at Universität Konstanz in Germany, following a scholarship she received. During her studies, she completed clinical training at the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki (P.H.Th.) and at the Day Care Center for Individuals with Memory Disorders. After completing her undergraduate studies, she gained significant experience in the assessment and support of patients with severe mental disorders, within the framework of clinical training in mental health at the Psychiatric Clinic of Papageorgiou General Hospital of Thessaloniki. She specialized in Clinical Psychology through postgraduate studies at Leiden University in the Netherlands, completing clinical training at the Leiden University Treatment and Expertise Centre, providing psychological support to university students. She followed a four-year specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies (SCBS), and received theoretical training in therapy for children and adolescents. She worked for several years as a psychotherapist in the Adult Therapy Department of the Institute for Research and Behavior Therapy (IRBT), and has worked in numerous therapy centers, providing individual psychotherapy to adults, children, adolescents, as well as counseling for parents.

Ο Καρκάνης Γιώργος MSc είναι Κλινικός και Εγκληματολογικός Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Μεταξουργείο. Διαθέτει εξειδικευμένη εκπαίδευση στη Δικαστική Ψυχολογία και στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία και Ψυχική Υγεία, έχοντας ολοκληρώσει τις μεταπτυχιακές του σπουδές στα πανεπιστήμια Coventry University και Swansea University, αντίστοιχα, καθώς και τις προπτυχιακές του σπουδές στη Δικαστική Ψυχολογία στο University of Lancashire. Η επαγγελματική του ενασχόληση περιλαμβάνει τη συμβουλευτική και ψυχοθεραπεία ενηλίκων, τη διαχείριση συναισθηματικών δυσκολιών, την υποστήριξη ατόμων που έχουν βιώσει ψυχολογικό τραύμα ή ενδοοικογενειακή βία, καθώς και την κλινική υπνοθεραπεία. Παράλληλα, έχει εκπαιδευτεί στον Νευρογλωσσικό Προγραμματισμό (NLP), διευρύνοντας τις γνώσεις του σε προσεγγίσεις που εστιάζουν στην κατανόηση της ανθρώπινης συμπεριφοράς και στην προσωπική ανάπτυξη.

Maria Vlachaki, MSc, is a Psychologist, Cyberpsychologist, and Psychotherapist, currently operating a private practice in Alimos, Athens.She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and a Master's degree in Cyberpsychology from the same institution.She has specialized in Systemic and Family Therapy through studies at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations (Charis Katakis, 2022–2023) and the University Mental Health Research Institute (UMHRI). She is also attending the annual program “Therapeutic Approaches to Addictions” at the 18 ANO Addiction Rehabilitation Center.Her professional experience includes providing individual psychotherapy sessions since September 2023, as well as collaborations with the Psychiatric Clinic of Attikon University General Hospital (volunteer work), the Evaluation Committee for the Ministry of Health’s “Personal Assistant for People with Disabilities” program (June–July 2023), and the “ARGO” Association for Children with Special Needs. Since 2024, she has been working with the Municipal Health Clinics of Nea Smyrni and the P. Sakellaropoulos Association for Social Psychiatry.She is trained in the administration of psychometric tools such as the MMPI-1, Raven's Progressive Matrices, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), MoCA, and the Geriatric Depression Scale.Maria actively participates in numerous scientific conferences, symposia, and workshops related to psychotherapy, psychoanalysis, mental health, and technology. Notably, she has attended the Psychotherapy Conferences of the Hellenic Psychiatric Association, the Panhellenic Conference on Counseling Psychology, events at Attikon Hospital, and seminars by the Hellenic Psychological Society, as well as initiatives promoting community mental health awareness.As a speaker, she presented her research titled “Netflix and binge watching: A qualitative exploration of the subjective viewing experience” at Panteion University (April 9, 2024). She has also participated in a women’s empowerment and breast cancer awareness event at the Kallithea Municipal Library (October 2024), and in a public seminar on cyberbullying organized by the Municipality of Rentis/Moschato (November 2024).

Afxentiou Spyros is a Psychologist and has a private office in Exarchia. He studied Psychology at the European University of Cyprus and holds two master's degrees. Specifically, in Synthetic Psychotherapy at the European University EurAka Switzerland and in Counselling Psychology from the London Metropolitan University. Finally, he has been trained in systems therapy and holds a diploma of training in mental health counselling.

Mpousmpoureli Stefania is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist, with postgraduate studies in Neuroscience from the University of Sydney. She completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology at the University of Surrey and continues to train in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Multidisciplinary Psychotherapeutic Center "Synghiseis." She has worked as a Research Assistant at the University of Surrey and as a Corporate Wellness Consultant at Travelgems. To date, she volunteers as a Psychologist at milamou.gr and serves as a Psychologist - Retreat Coordinator at the international organization "Enrich Global." In private practice, she provides psychotherapeutic support to adults, adolescents, and couples, focusing on relationships, anxiety, self-awareness, and communication improvement. Her goal is to understand personal and family dynamics within a safe and supportive framework.

Η Καράμπαλη Ελένη MSc είναι Κλινική Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στα Εξάρχεια. Είναι απόφοιτος του Πανεπιστημίου Καρόλου της Πράγας, με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος (Αρ.πρωτ. 8234) και πολυετή εμπειρία στην υποστήριξη ενηλίκων, εφήβων και παιδιών. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) και στην Art Therapy, καθώς και σε πρωτόκολλα παρέμβασης σε τραύμα και ψυχολογική παρέμβαση σε κρίση. Στην πορεία της καριέρας της έχει εργαστεί σε διαφορετικά περιβάλλοντα ψυχικής υγείας στην Ελλάδα (Παιδικά Χωριά SOS, Ελληνικός Ερυθρός Σταυρός) και στο εξωτερικό, υποστηρίζοντας κυρίως ευάλωτες ομάδες. Σήμερα διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο κέντρο της Αθήνας και εργάζεται στο Ελληνικό Συμβούλιο για τους Πρόσφυγες, αναλαμβάνοντας την ψυχολογική στήριξη παιδιών, εφήβων και γονέων. Εξειδικεύεται στη διαχείριση άγχους, κατάθλιψης, μετατραυματικού στρες, πένθους, φοβιών, κακοποίησης και δυσκολιών στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις. Παράλληλα, έχει εμπειρία στη διάγνωση ψυχοπαθολογίας και στη χρήση ψυχομετρικών εργαλείων, προσφέροντας εξατομικευμένες παρεμβάσεις με σεβασμό στις ανάγκες του κάθε ατόμου. Στη θεραπευτική της προσέγγισης αξιοποιεί κυρίως τη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT), μια επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένη μέθοδο που βοηθά το άτομο να αναγνωρίσει και να τροποποιήσει τις σκέψεις και τα μοτίβα συμπεριφοράς που ενισχύουν τη δυσφορία του. Η CBT δίνει πρακτικά εργαλεία, ενδυναμώνει και καλλιεργεί νέες, πιο υγιείς οπτικές απέναντι στη ζωή. Παράλληλα, ενσωματώνει στοιχεία Θεραπείας μέσω Τέχνης (Art Therapy), ειδικά όταν δουλεύει με παιδιά, εφήβους ή ενήλικες που δυσκολεύονται να εκφραστούν λεκτικά. Η δημιουργία γίνεται ένα ασφαλές “κανάλι” έκφρασης συναισθημάτων, αναμνήσεων και εσωτερικών συγκρούσεων, χωρίς τη χρήση λόγου. Δεν ακολουθεί μία αυστηρή “συνταγή”. Κάθε άνθρωπος είναι μοναδικός, και κάθε συνεδρία προσαρμόζεται στις ανάγκες του - με σεβασμό στον ρυθμό του, στην ιστορία του και στις αντοχές του. Οταν δουλεύει με παιδιά, δίνει ιδιαίτερη σημασία στη συνεργασία με τους γονείς. Ο στόχος δεν είναι μόνο η “αντιμετώπιση” μιας δυσκολίας, αλλά η ενδυνάμωση της σχέσης γονιού - παιδιού, ώστε το ίδιο το σπίτι να γίνει χώρος θεραπείας, εμπιστοσύνης και ανάπτυξης. Τέλος, προσφέρει συνεδρίες και στα αραβικά και στα τσεχικά.

Η Βέρρου Μαρία είναι Ψυχολόγος και διατηρεί το ιδιωτικό της γραφείο στους Αμπελόκηπους. Είναι πτυχιούχος του Κρατικού Πανεπιστημίου του Στρασβούργου, στις Ανθρωπιστικές και Κοινωνικές Επιστήμες με κατεύθυνση την Ψυχολογία, έχοντας παράλληλα συμβάλει στην Ακαδημαϊκή Έρευνα με δημοσίευσή της στο επιστημονικό περιοδικό Applied Psychology Research, της ποσοτικής ερευνητική της μελέτης με θέμα τη "Η Σχέση του Βirdnesting με την Ψυχική Ανθεκτικότητα των Γονέων" που αφορούσε χωρισμένους γονείς που εφαρμόζουν αυτή την μορφή συμβίωσης και ανατροφής των παιδιών τους, βάζοντας το πρώτο σχετικό ερευνητικό λιθαράκι στην Ελλάδα. Επιπλέον, έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Σχολική Ψυχολογία και την Ειδική Αγωγή και Εκπαίδευση στο Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών και έχει ολοκληρώσει τριετές πρόγραμμα Συμβουλευτικής στο Κέντρο Θεραπευτικής Συμβουλευτικής παιδιών και ενηλίκων. Επιπλέον, η κλινική της κατάρτιση βρίσκεται σε εξέλιξη μέσω Μεταπτυχιακών Σπουδών στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία - με ειδίκευση στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) στο Επιστημονικό Κολλέγιο Ελλάδος. Έχει πιστοποιηθεί ως Εκπαιδεύτρια Ενηλίκων από το Πανεπιστήμιο Πατρών καθώς και ως Χορηγήτρια Ψυχομετρικών Εργαλείων για την αξιολόγηση παιδιών και εφήβων όπως: WISC-V, ΕΔΑΛΦΑ και ΛΟΓΟΜΕΤΡΟ. Έχει πληθώρα εμπειρίας σε παιδιά και εφήβους, σε άτομα με αναπηρία, οικογένειες και πολυπολιτισμικά περιβάλλοντα καθώς έχει εργαστεί στην εκπαίδευση σε Ιταλία και Γαλλία αλλά και στην Ελλάδα στον τομέα του Μεταναστευτικού και στην Παραγωγή Εκπαιδευτικού Λογισμικού (Intelearn). Ενημερώνεται διαρκώς σχετικά με τις εξελίξεις στον κλάδο της και τους τομείς που την ενδιαφέρουν συμμετέχοντας σε ημερίδες και επιστημονικές δράσεις, όπως (ενδεικτικά): το "1ο Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο για την Ψυχική Υγεία της Γυναίκας" και "Η Ψυχική Υγεία του Παιδιού και του Εφήβου Σήμερα και Αύριο". Απολαμβάνει τη συνεργασία μέσα σε διεπιστημονικές ομάδες, την αναστοχαστική πρακτική και την ανάπτυξη καινοτόμων ψυχοεκπαιδευτικών προσεγγίσεων.

Στο ιδιωτικό της γραφείο προσφέρει Υπηρεσίες Ψυχικής Υγείας σε συνεργασία με τον Νίκο Τσιλιβαράκο, Κλινικό Κοινωνικό Λειτουργό, Ειδ. Ψυχοθεραπευτή- Δραματοθεραπευτή καθώς επίσης και με την Ζήνα Μπερίκου, Σύμβουλο Εκπαίδευσης και Σχολικού Προσανατολισμού σε ο,τι αφορά στον Επαγγελματικό Προσανατολισμό των μαθητών.

Dimitris Georgantas is a Mental Health Counselor and Psychotherapist who conducts online sessions. He studied Counseling Psychology at Mediterranean College in Thessaloniki in the Counseling and Psychology department, earning an HND degree from the British University, University of Derby. Simultaneously, he has attended numerous seminars such as the "Training in Psychology, Counseling, and Life Coaching" at the University of the Aegean, as well as the "Effective Parenting" training by Gordon Hellas. Currently, he is training in Psychodynamic Psychotherapy at the Recognized Center "Interdisciplinary & Research Psychosocial Support for Children and Adults" (D.I.K.E.Ps.Y). In recent years, he has maintained a private Counseling and Psychotherapy Center in the center of Komotini, working both online and in person. He believes that Psychodynamic Psychotherapy helps individuals to better understand themselves, recognize deeper feelings and thoughts, and improve the way they relate to others. A crucial role in this process is played by the real and authentic relationship experienced between the Psychotherapist and the Client. This relationship becomes an important tool, where patterns and emotions that emerge within the therapeutic relationship facilitate the understanding of the Client’s relationships outside therapy. Thus, over time, the Client can express themselves freely, better understand themselves, process difficult emotions, and ultimately live more freely, with greater self-awareness and authenticity in their relationships.

Iosifina Aslanopoulou BSc, MSc, NLP, Reiki is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Syntagma. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology (BSc) from the State University of New York – Empire State College, as well as a Master's degree (MSc) in Person-Centered Psychotherapy from the University of Central Lancashire. She has specialized in Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), holding certifications as an NLP Practitioner, Timeline Therapy Practitioner, and Hypnosis Practitioner from the Hellenic NLP Academy. Additionally, she has trained in Reiki (Usui Shiki Ryoho) up to the second level, within the framework of the Usui System of Natural Healing.

She works as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Syntagma. In the context of her professional activity, she provides psychological support and psychotherapy services, aiming to enhance the mental resilience and personal development of her clients.

Katerina Toulgaridou is a Psychologist - Systemic Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Gyzi. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and completed her internship at the “Thetis” Shelter of EPAPSY. Immediately after her degree, she began a four-year training in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations. In recent years, she has been working by providing individual psychotherapy and counseling sessions to adults. Her aim is to create a profound therapeutic relationship within a safe, warm, and supportive environment, enabling the patient to explore their emotions, thoughts, and various aspects of the self.

Episkepsy Matthaios Zazanis Kai Synergates Psyxologoi-Psyxotherapeutes is a Psychologist - Integrative Psychotherapist with a Person-Centered orientation and is a co-founder of the Counseling Center for Education and Psychosocial Support epi S.K.E.P.S.Y. as well as the scientific director of the center in Ano Patissia. He has specialized training in addictions and mental disorders and is certified by Greek, British, and American organizations. Throughout his career, he has encountered distinguished mentors who serve as an inspiration to him.

Maria Matoula is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Exarcheia. She has a strong academic background and extensive experience in the field of mental health. She studied Psychology and specialized in Clinical Psychology at the University of Palermo in Italy, and has been extensively trained in Individual, Group, Family, and Couples psychotherapy by the Hellenic Society of Analytical Group & Family Psychotherapy (EEAOG&OP). Combining theoretical training and many years of practical experience, she provides psychotherapeutic work with adolescents, adults, couples, and families in her private practice. She is also particularly sensitive and therapeutically active with the LGBTQ+ community, as well as with intercultural cultures. She undertakes a wide range of cases including Anxiety Disorders, Eating Disorders, Depression, and Personality Disorders.

She conducts psychodynamic psychotherapy sessions also in the Italian language.

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.

Grapsa Vasiliki MSc is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in the Zografou area. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and a Master's degree (MSc) in Addiction Treatment - Addictology from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she has been trained in EMDR Trauma Therapy by TACT Hellas, in the use and interpretation of the MMPI-2 Psychometric Tool by ISON Psychometrica, and is currently attending a postgraduate program in Cognitive Psychotherapy at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens and the Research University Institute of Mental Health E.P.I.P.S.Y. She completed her clinical internship as a Psychologist at the Psychiatric Clinic of the 414 Military Hospital of Special Diseases and has been working as a Psychologist at ISON Psychometrica since 2023. Finally, with the aim of continuous professional development, she has participated in numerous conferences.

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.

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.

Vasileiadou Despoina is a Psychologist - Trained Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She studied at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She completed her thesis on issues of occupational burnout under the supervision of distinguished professors. She specializes in Gestalt psychotherapy, a holistic and human-centered approach to psychotherapy. As part of her lifelong learning, she attends educational seminars and lectures on topics concerning society and the role of psychotherapy within it. She participates as a group coordinator in caregiver support groups for cancer patients and provides voluntary work in the online program "E-therapy," which aims at crisis intervention. For personal development, she considers it essential to regularly engage in supervision (both individual and group) and personal therapy (individual and group).

Xondrogianni Nantia is a Clinical Psychologist licensed to practice, with a psychoanalytic orientation. She studied at the Department of Psychology of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and subsequently completed the three-year Postgraduate Program in Clinical Psychology at the same University.

She has worked in clinical and community settings for adults and adolescents, specifically at the Day Center for Women's Mental Health Care of the Non-Profit Organization Fainareti, the Youth and Adolescent Psychiatric Department of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas," the Psychiatric Department of the Specialized Anticancer Hospital of Piraeus "Metaxa," and at Special Therapy Centers. Additionally, she has participated as a researcher in programs at the University of Athens, the University of Strasbourg, the National Centre for Social Research, and the National Museum of Contemporary Art. Her work has been published in scientific conferences and journals.

In her private practice located in Kypseli, she welcomes adults, adolescents, and children. She is undergoing long-term clinical psychoanalytic training at the Forum of Psychoanalysis of the Lacanian Field of Athens, actively participating in the school's activities.