Mental Health and Counseling results in Attica

Vasiliki Koumantaki, BA, MSc, is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a Master’s degree from the Medical School of Athens, specializing in Liaison Psychiatry: Integrated Care of Physical and Mental Health. She has also completed training in Clinical Psychopathology at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the NKUA.

She is a Clinical and Health Psychologist / Psychotherapist, an EMDR Europe Accredited Consultant and Therapist, with more than 3,000 hours of clinical experience in EMDR therapy and expertise in Psychotraumatology.

She has designed and coordinated psychoeducational programs for healthcare professionals and has collaborated as a scientific associate with the 2nd Psychiatric Clinic of the Attikon University General Hospital. Since 2018, she has been a visiting lecturer at the Medical School of Athens in the Master’s Program of the “Alexandra” General Hospital.

She is actively involved as a Consultant in the basic EMDR training programs as well as in specialized TACT HELLAS seminars on complex trauma. In parallel, she collaborates clinically with the Henry Dunant Hospital Center and works in both individual and group therapeutic settings.

She has a strong research background and longstanding participation in international and national conferences in the fields of Health Psychology, Psychotraumatology, and EMDR therapy, contributing through scientific presentations and educational interventions.

She serves as a Board Member of the Hellenic Psychological Society (SEPS), and is also a member of EMDR Hellas, EMDR Europe, and the British Psychological Society (BPS).

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.

Η Τσούση Νίκη είναι Ψυχολόγος – Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια με μεταπτυχιακή εξειδίκευση στην Ψυχολογία της Υγείας από τo Τμήμα Ιατρικής και Επιστημών Υγείας του Πανεπιστημίου του Surrey της Μ. Βρετανίας.

Στο ιδιωτικό της γραφείο, επί της οδού Ριζάρη 32 στο Παγκράτι, πλησίον μετρό «Ευαγγελισμός», παρέχει ψυχοθεραπευτική υποστήριξη σε ενήλικες και εφήβους άνω των 16 ετών αλλά και συμβουλευτική γονέων. Αντιμετωπίζονται αιτήματα που σχετίζονται με αγχώδεις διαταραχές - κρίσεις πανικού, ιδεοψυχαναγκαστική διαταραχή, φοβίες, αγοραφοβία, άγχος υγείας -, καταθλιπτικό συναίσθημα, τραυματικές εμπειρίες και απώλειες, διατροφικές διαταραχές, καθώς και επαναλαμβανόμενα συναισθηματικά ή διαπροσωπικά μοτίβα που επηρεάζουν τη σχέση με τον εαυτό και τους άλλους. Παράλληλα, υποστηρίζονται ψυχοθεραπευτικά άτομα που ζουν με χρόνιες νόσους ή/και οι φροντιστές τους , άτομα που δυσκολεύονται με την οριοθέτηση, την αυτοεκτίμηση, τη διαχείριση του θυμού , την αναβλητικότητα αλλά και τον αναμηρυκασμό της σκέψης. Το θεραπευτικό της πεδίο απευθύνεται με ασφάλεια και σεβασμό στη ΛΟΑΤΚΙ+ κοινότητα, προσφέροντας ένα επιβεβαιωτικό πλαίσιο .

Στο πλαίσιο της συνεχιζόμενης επιμόρφωσης της, έχει εξειδικευτεί στην εξατομίκευση της θεραπείας ανάλογα με τις ανάγκες του κάθε θεραπευόμενου, ενσωματώνοντας εργαλεία όπως:

·      Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία με Εξειδίκευση στην Ψυχολογία της Υγείας

·      Εστιασμένη στο Σχήμα Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (Schema-Focused CBT)

·      Θεραπεία Εστιασμένη στη Συμπόνια (Compassion Focused Therapy – CFT)

·      Πρακτική της Ενσυνειδητότητας (Μindfulness)

·      Female-Specific Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία, η οποία εστιάζει στις ιδιαιτερότητες της ψυχικής υγείας των γυναικών, (π.χ. περιγεννητική ψυχική υγεία, απώλεια κύησης, εμμηνόπαυση, caregiving – που αφορά κυρίως αλλά όχι αποκλειστικά γυναίκες – και εμπειρίες σεξουαλικής παραβίασης που εμφανίζονται συχνότερα σε γυναικείους πληθυσμούς).

Έχει ολοκληρώσει εκπαίδευση στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία για την Ψυχολογία της Υγείας (CBT for Health Psychology), στο πλαίσιο προγράμματος συνεργασίας του Βρετανικού Εθνικού Συστήματος Υγείας (NHS) με το Πανεπιστήμιο του Surrey. Η συγκεκριμένη κατεύθυνση δίνει χώρο στις σύνθετες εμπειρίες των ανθρώπων που ζουν με χρόνιες ασθένειες, καθώς και των φροντιστών τους, ενδυναμώνοντάς τους μέσα από την εκπαίδευση σε δεξιότητες επικοινωνίας συγκεκριμένων μοντέλων όπως το Doctor–Patient Communication Model, την εκπαίδευση/υιοθέτηση του Μοντέλου Ενεργού Ασθενούς (Active Patient Model), καθώς και μέσα από άλλα εξατομικευμένα πρωτόκολλα διαχείρισης, προσαρμοσμένα στις ιδιαίτερες ανάγκες του καθενός.

Έπίσης, η ίδια , έχει παρακολουθήσει εξειδικευμένη επιμόρφωση στην «Ψυχοεκπαίδευση και Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία Οικογένειας», από την Α’ Κλινική του Αιγινήτειου Νοσοκομείου, Ιατρικής Σχολής ΕΚΠΑ, καθώς και παρακολούθηση σειράς βιωματικών εργαστηρίων στο Βερολίνο, τόσο με την C. Padesky, με έμφαση στην ανάπτυξη της ψυχικής ανθεκτικότητας σε περιόδους αντιξοότητας (How to Build Resilience in Times of Adversity), όσο και με την J. Beck, εστιάζοντας στη θεραπευτική σχέση και την ενδυνάμωση του θεραπευτή στο εδώ-και-τώρα της συνάντησης.

Εργασιακά , από το 2013 έως σήμερα, έχει ακολουθήσει μια πορεία στον χώρο της ψυχικής υγείας με έμφαση στην υποστήριξη ευάλωτων πληθυσμών σε ποικίλα θεσμικά και πολιτισμικά περιβάλλοντα, στην Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό.

Στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο εργάστηκε ως Assistant Psychologist στη Μονάδα Φοιτητικής Μέριμνας του Πανεπιστημίου Portsmouth Student Health and Wellbeing Service, καθώς και ως Research Assistant στο Τμήμα Αναπτυξιακής Ψυχολογίας της Σχολής Κοινωνικών Επιστημών, υπό την επίβλεψη της καθηγήτριας V. Devonshire.

Στον Διεθνή Οργανισμό Μετανάστευσης του ΟΗΕ (IOM), εργάστηκε ως Ψυχολόγος Πεδίου στο πλαίσιο Ψυχοκοινωνικής Υποστήριξης (Μental Health and PsychoSocial Support -MHPSS), παρέχοντας κλινική υποστήριξη σε πληθυσμούς που έχουν υποστεί σοβαρές μορφές τραύματος, όπως επιζώντες πολέμου, επιζώντες Έμφυλης και Σεξουαλικής Βίας (Victims of Violence) (Victims of Sexual Viοlence) , Εμπορίας Ανθρώπων (Victims of Trafficking) και Βασανιστηρίων (Victims of Torture). Το έργο της αναπτύχθηκε σε πολυπολιτισμικό πλαίσιο και απαιτούσε ευαισθησία, σταθερότητα και υψηλή επαγγελματική συγκρότηση.

Στο πλαίσιο της συνεργασίας της με δομές παιδικής προστασίας όπως η ΑΜΚΕ Συνύπαρξις της Ιεράς Συνόδου ,είχε αναλάβει τον ρόλο εξουσιοδοτημένου προσώπου αναφοράς ανηλίκων κατόπιν σχετικής εισαγγελικής εξουσιοδότησης. Εξειδικεύτηκε στη διενέργεια εκτιμήσεων του Βέλτιστου Συμφέροντος του Παιδιού (Best Interest Assessments), με γνώμονα τη Σύμβαση της Γενεύης και τις προβλέψεις του Κανονισμού του Δουβλίνου για την οικογενειακή επανένωση ασυνόδευτων ανηλίκων, εντός του ευρωπαϊκού πλαισίου προστασίας. Οι παρεμβάσεις της εστίαζαν στην ψυχοσυναισθηματική αποκατάσταση παιδιών και εφήβων που είχαν βιώσει πολλαπλές μορφές απώλειας, αστάθειας ή μετακίνησης λόγω πολέμου.

Επιπροσθέτως, έχει εργαστεί στον Διεθνή Οργανισμό Caritas Internationalis της Καθολικής Εκκλησίας , στη ΜΚΟ Ευρωπαϊκή Έκφραση (Δομή Παιδικής Προστασίας) και σε Κέντρο Κοινότητας δήμου, στο πλαίσιο προγραμμάτων κοινωνικής προστασίας του Υπουργείου Εργασίας και Κοινωνικής Αλληλεγγύης.

Σήμερα, παράλληλα με την ιδιωτική της πρακτική, είναι επιστημονική συνεργάτιδα του Τμήματος Θεραπείας Ενηλίκων του Ινστιτούτου Έρευνας και Θεραπείας της Συμπεριφοράς (ΙΕΘΣ), όπου συνεχίζει να ασκεί το κλινικό της έργο με έμφαση στις Γνωσιακές Συμπεριφορικές Θεραπείες.

Vaitsou Dimitra is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Neo Irakleio. She holds a degree in Psychology from Athens Metropolitan College and the University of Preston in the United States. During her studies, she attended the HND Edexcel Success through qualifications BTEC Higher National Diploma program, European Educational Organization care practice. Simultaneously, she received additional training in Systemic - Family Psychotherapy through the four-year program at the "Laboratory of Human Relationships Exploration." In her professional career, she has collaborated with "The Smile of the Child," providing psychological and moral support to children; continued as a scientific associate at the "Bioanelixi" Center, heading the Counseling Psychology department by conducting individual sessions and group workshops on self-awareness, self-image, and self-esteem. Additionally, she worked as a coordinator for self-awareness groups and educational seminars at the Alternative Wellness Center "Sharmilla," provided individual counseling and family therapy at the Municipal Polyclinics of Lykovrysi, and at the Day Care and Daytime Care Center for people with disabilities in the Prefecture of Fthiotida. To date, she delivers educational lectures and seminars in schools, addressing parents, children, and educators.

Panagiotis Tagaris holds an MSc and is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with private practices in Nea Filadelfeia and Neo Iraklio. He has extensive experience managing a wide range of clinical cases. He holds a BSc in Psychology from Panteion University, a BSc in Primary Education from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, an MSc in School Counseling and Guidance from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and the University of Cyprus, as well as an MSc in Educational Sciences from the University of the Aegean.

Additionally, he has been trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) by the Society of Cognitive and Behavioral Studies, recognized by the European Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Therapies (EABCT), and is a Certified Career Counselor (Certified Ariston Counsellor – CAS).

He works privately, providing individual psychotherapy sessions for adults, children, and adolescents with a broad spectrum of interpersonal difficulties (separation, grief), depression, anxiety disorders (Generalized Anxiety Disorder, Panic Disorder, Social Anxiety Disorder, Phobias), Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and also offers parental counseling sessions.

He is employed as a Psychologist at the Ministry of Education, providing psychological support and counseling to students, educators, and families. He has many years of experience in mental health, education, and social service, actively participating in initiatives for the prevention of school bullying and adult education.

He has participated as a speaker in numerous conferences and training sessions and has been honored by the Hellenic Cardiological Society and the European Resuscitation Council for his longstanding contribution to the education of citizens and healthcare professionals in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation.

Ο Οικονομίδης Απόστολος είναι Ψυχολόγος – Ψυχοθεραπευτής και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Νέο Ψυχικό. Είναι κάτοχος πτυχίου Ψυχολογίας από το Αμερικανικό Κολλέγιο Ελλάδος και το Open University της Αγγλίας και μετέπειτα έλαβε διετή ειδίκευση στη Θεραπεία Συμπεριφοράς Διαταραχών Άγχους, Ιδεοψυχαναγκαστικής και Μετατραυματικής Διαταραχής στο Ερευνητικό Πανεπιστημιακό Ινστιτούτο Ψυχικής Υγιεινής σε συνεργασία με την Α’ Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Επίσης, έχει παρακολουθήσει μονοετή μετεκπαιδευτικά προγράμματα στην Κλινική Ψυχοπαθολογία και τις Κλινικές Δεξιότητες από την Α΄ Ψυχιατρική Κλινική του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών σε συνεργασία με την Ελληνική Ψυχιατρική Εταιρεία. Στο παρελθόν συνεργάστηκε με το Ιατρείο Θεραπείας Συμπεριφοράς, ενώ από το 2017 προσφέρει τις υπηρεσίες του στη Μονάδα Θεραπείας Συμπεριφοράς του Ελληνικού Κέντρου Ψυχικής Υγιεινής και Ερευνών, όπου διαχειρίζεται ως επί το πλείστον περιστατικά αγχωδών και συναφών διαταραχών (διαταραχή πανικού, αγοραφοβία, γενικευμένο άγχος, ιδεοψυχαναγκαστική διαταραχή, κ.α). Συμμετέχει σταθερά σε ομάδες εποπτείας ψυχολόγων, ενώ έχει εμπειρία στην διοργάνωση ψυχοεκπαιδευτικών ομάδων με έμφαση στις δεξιότητες διαχείρισης ψυχοπιεστικών καταστάσεων. Ιδιωτικά αναλαμβάνει την στήριξη και θεραπεία ενηλίκων με ψυχοκοινωνικές δυσκολίες.

Danai Loukopoulou is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist maintaining a private practice in Ymittos, with a primary focus on Group Analysis. She is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and has completed a four-year training in Diagnostic Psychology at the Institute of Diagnostic Psychology of the Open Psychotherapeutic Center. Concurrently, she is training as a Group Analyst / Group Psychotherapist at the Athens Institute of Group Analysis, as part of a five-year training program.

Her therapeutic approach is based on group dynamics, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal relationships and the understanding of the self through relationships with others. Within this framework, she facilitates psychotherapeutic groups, offering a safe space for expression and personal development.

From 2020 to 2024, she worked as a Psychologist in Centers for Special Therapies, where she provided parent counseling and conducted individual and group sessions with children and adolescents, as well as psychological assessments. In parallel, she performs psychological evaluations of adults as part of the therapeutic process.

In her private practice, she works with adults both individually and in groups, focusing on issues related to anxiety and mood, panic attacks, obsessive-compulsive symptomatology, and difficulties in interpersonal relationships.

Sakaloglou Nikos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains private practices in Keratsini and Ilisia. He studied Psychology (BA in Psychology) at the European University Cyprus and completed the four-year clinical training program in Psychotherapy at the Institute of Training and Research in Systemic Psychotherapy "Logos Psychis". He holds a professional license to practice as a Psychologist and is a regular member of the Hellenic Psychological Society. He has collaborated with various mental health structures, both private and public. In recent years, he has been working privately as a psychologist – psychotherapist, providing services to adults, couples, families, and therapeutic groups.

Antonia Mpeka is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Galatsi. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and possesses a certified four-year specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) from the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies. She has worked as a Psychologist at The Smile of the Child, supporting children and parents through counseling helplines. Additionally, she has conducted individual CBT Psychotherapy sessions. Within the framework of lifelong learning, she attends seminars in the field of mental health.

Kypraiou Areti is a Psychologist with a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. She specializes in individual and group psychotherapy, family therapy, couples counseling, and adolescent counseling. Additionally, she coordinates parent groups. She completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Psychology and Counseling at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Subsequently, she received training in Parent Group Coordination at the Panhellenic Association of Parent Schools (a member of the International Federation for Parent Education - Fédération Internationale pour l'Éducation des Parents), with which she collaborates. She continues her education through specialized seminars on various topics related to individual therapy. Finally, she frequently delivers lectures and seminars for parents, adolescents, and educators, contributes articles to newspapers, and serves as a scientific collaborator for websites concerning psychology and child-rearing issues.

Kalouptsi Antonia is a Psychologist and holds a professional practice license. After completing her studies, she trained in Existential Systemic Psychotherapy for Individuals, Couples, Families, and Groups at the Therapeutic and Educational Institute "Antistixi." Concurrently, she successfully completed the postgraduate program "Pain Management" at the Medical School of Ioannina, while further specializing in "Medical Psychology," "Psychopathology of Infants, Children, and Adolescents," and "Divorce Management" at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Since 2012, she has worked as an external collaborator with developmental centers focusing on parental counseling, and in recent years, she has maintained collaborations with private clinics, providing her services to both patients and healthcare staff. In her private practice, she works psychotherapeutically with adolescents, adults, and couples and organizes parenting groups. She works with individuals while respecting their needs and desires. Her psychotherapeutic expertise enables her to see beyond symptoms and offer a holistic approach to each problem. Her excellent and multifaceted scientific training, combined with her extensive experience and qualities such as respect, empathy, confidentiality, and acceptance, shape the manner in which she collaborates with those seeking her assistance.

Andreadaki Kalliopi is a psychologist – child psychologist, maintaining a private practice in Piraeus and has held a Psychologist Professional License from the Piraeus Prefecture since 2008. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Research University Institute of Mental Health E.P.I.PSY of Aiginiteio Hospital. She has successfully completed the two-year training seminar "New Trends in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy" at the Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research and has attended seminars on "Clinical Psychopathology" at Aiginiteio, as well as "Counseling of Children and Families in Serious Illness and Bereavement" from the organization Merimna. Additionally, she has participated in training related to Clinical Psychopathology in children. Moreover, she has completed practical training at the Primary School of the National Foundation for the Deaf, the 1st Primary School for Autistic Children in Piraeus, and the Athena Boarding School. From 2008 to 2010, she worked as a psychologist in the Child Psychiatric Department of Tzaneio General Hospital of Piraeus, while from 2011 to 2019 she was part of the team of the sos 15900 helpline of the General Secretariat for Gender Equality, providing psychological support to women victims of violence. Finally, since 2019, she has been working as a school psychologist in primary schools in Piraeus.

Papaleksi Xristina is a Psychologist and Systemic and Family Psychotherapist. She maintains a private practice in Koukaki. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a Master's degree in Applied Child Psychology (M.Sc.) from the University of Nottingham (Nottingham Trent University). She has significant and extensive work experience in Greece and the United Kingdom with children, adolescents, and adults presenting with mental, developmental, and emotional disorders and difficulties, across various clinical and community settings. She conducts individual and group sessions, couples therapy, and parental counseling.

Gkikas Panagiotis is a Mental Health Counselor - Systemic Psychotherapist and Family Therapist, maintaining a private practice in Neo Iraklio. He holds a degree from the Psychology Department of the American College of Greece and has specialized in a four-year training program in Systemic Counseling and Psychotherapy and Family Therapy, under the supervision of Dr. Haris Kataki at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relationships. The comprehensive program included theoretical training, techniques, experiential workshops, and supervision in Systemic Therapy and Family Psychotherapy. Additionally, he completed a two-year weekly follow-up of families and groups, as well as participation in a two-hour weekly therapeutic group for personal therapy and development lasting seven years. Furthermore, Mr. Gkikas has worked with the STAGE program at the Social Service of the Municipality of Lykovrysi and provided voluntary services one year later. Simultaneously, he volunteered to support individuals living with HIV/AIDS at the "Center of Life." Lastly, he has attended numerous seminars and conferences aimed at continuous professional development in his field and is a member of the Hellenic Counseling Society.

Zavitsanou Xrysa is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist with a private practice in Peristeri. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Faculty of Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology (Psychology Program) of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She subsequently completed postgraduate studies in "Stress Management and Health Promotion" at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specializes in Stress Management in patients with autoimmune diseases, particularly those with Multiple Sclerosis. Recognizing her science as a dynamic and ever-evolving process and embracing her role within this evolution, she has attended and continues to attend numerous Continuing Education Programs, Professional Training Seminars, and Supplementary Education and Training Programs. She serves as a Psychologist at the KIDS UP Center for Special Therapies. Her extensive experience, combined with her scientific expertise and her compassion for people, ensures the desired outcomes for the cases she undertakes, always focusing on the specific needs of each individual patient. Based on the above, she is particularly engaged in adult Psychotherapy addressing issues such as depression, anxiety, phobias, panic attacks, interpersonal relationships, anger management, and improvement of self-esteem and self-image. She also has significant experience and involvement in the Psychotherapy of children and adolescents, as well as in parental counseling.

Pyrovolisianos Dionysis is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Kypseli. He holds a degree in Psychology from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and a Master's degree in "Research Methods and Psychology" from City University of London. Additionally, he has been trained in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Society for Cognitive Behavioral Studies and the Institute of Behavioral Research and Therapy. He specializes in anxiety and mood disorders, as well as issues related to sexual orientation and gender identity.

Anastasiou Savvina is a Psychologist and Scientific Director at the Psychotherapeutic Center - Multipurpose Space Animus Corpus, located in Ilisia. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and received further training in Clinical Psychopathology at the Athens University Hospital "Aiginiteio." Additionally, she has attended educational seminars on Psychotraumatology, a Counseling Psychology workshop, as well as training in the MMPI-II Personality Test. The psychotherapeutic interventions she applies include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and EMDR. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and the Hellenic Olympians Association, due to her distinction in Synchronized Swimming.