Mental Health Counselors in Athens

Danai Volitaki is a Social Anthropologist - Systemic Family Psychotherapist providing sessions to adults and couples. She completed her undergraduate studies in Social Anthropology and History at the University of the Aegean, followed by a one-year postgraduate training program in Applied Counseling. She specialized in the Systemic and Family Psychotherapy program at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations, certified by international and European psychotherapy bodies (ELESYTH, EFTA, EAP, EEPS), gaining valuable clinical experience alongside esteemed trainers and supervisor psychotherapists. Subsequently, she completed the annual seminar on Therapeutic Treatment of Addictions at the public Detoxification Center 18 ANO. During her specialization in systemic family therapy, she participated in a clinical psychotherapy team at the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations and began working privately as a psychotherapist. She has extensive experience in the field of Non-Governmental Organizations, having worked with vulnerable groups, providing counseling services to ex-prisoners, unemployed individuals, and people facing substance, alcohol, and gambling addiction issues, which enables her to offer a holistic therapeutic approach. Additionally, she has worked with infants, adolescents, and adults with disabilities (ASD and intellectual disabilities). She has volunteered at the Detoxification Unit 18 ANO, participating in individual and family sessions with addicted individuals and their families. Since 2018, she has worked privately as a Systemic Family Psychotherapist and concurrently as a Therapist for addicted individuals in the organization Group for UNESCO of Piraeus and Islands.

Sgouromalli Dimitra graduated from the Psychology Department of the University of Crete in 2018. Subsequently, she completed her postgraduate studies in the program "Counseling Psychology & Counseling in Special Education, Training & Health" at the University of Thessaly. She is currently training as a Systemic Psychotherapist at the "Logou Psychis" Training Institute. Simultaneously, she has been working as a Psychologist and Psychotherapist in private and public institutions for the past 5 years, providing Counseling & Psychotherapy services to children, adolescents, adults, and parents. These activities facilitate a deeper understanding of issues such as self-awareness and self-acceptance, relationships and parenting, crisis management, and the handling of dysphoric symptoms.

Το πιο σημαντικό για εμάς είναι η δημιουργία ενός χώρου συνάντησης χωρίς προκαθορισμένες απαντήσεις, μακριά από παγιωμένες πεποιθήσεις. Είναι η αποδοχή της ιδιαιτερότητας του υποκειμένου που θα μας επισκεφτεί. Η από κοινού δημιουργία ενός πλαισίου ασφάλειας και εμπιστοσύνης, όπου θα αναπνεύσει και θα εκφραστεί το προσωπικό αίτημα, μέσα από έναν τρόπο ενικό.

Διανοίγουμε έτσι την προοπτική ρήξης με το πεπρωμένο, τον εξαναγκασμό της επανάληψης, την οδύνη του συμπτώματος, την δυσφορία που αναστέλλει τη ζωή.

Έτσι, κάνοντας τομές στις προκαταλήψεις (φύλου, ηλικίας, θρησκευτικών και πάσης φύσεως κοινωνικών επιταγών) διεκδικούμε σταδιακά τον ορίζοντα της προσωπικής επιθυμίας, μέσα από διαφορετικές επιλογές.

Ο Καλυβίτης Παναγιώτης είναι Κλινικός Ψυχαναλυτικής κατεύθυνσης (λακανικού προσανατολισμού). Είναι πιστοποιημένο μέλος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Συμβουλευτικής. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στο Κέντρο Ψυχαναλυτικών Ερευνών της Αθήνας, στο οποίο δραστηριοποιείται ενεργά σε διαλέξεις, ημερίδες, σεμινάρια, κλινικές βραδιές, εργαστήρια, καρτέλ, εποπτείες. Το πρόγραμμα του Κέντρου Ψυχαναλυτικών Ερευνών είναι εμπνευσμένο από το έργο της Section Clinique, της κλινικής διδασκαλίας η οποία ξεκίνησε την δεκαετία του ’70 στο Τμήμα Ψυχανάλυσης που ίδρυσε ο Jacques Lacan στο Πανεπιστήμιο Paris VIII.

Είναι αριστούχος απόφοιτος του τριετούς προγράμματος μετεκπαίδευσης Ψυχαναλυτική και Ψυχοδυναμική Συμβουλευτική Προσέγγιση, Τομέας Ψυχολογίας, CPS Arts & Psychotherapy.

Συμμετέχει σε κλινικές παρουσιάσεις, σε συνεργασία με το Ψυχιατρικό Τμήμα Ενηλίκων του Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών "Γ. Γεννηματάς", ενώ εργάστηκε εθελοντικά στην Εταιρία EPAPSY - Association for Regional Development and Mental Health.

Είναι απόφοιτος του Παντείου Πανεπιστημίου και της Σχολής Σκηνοθεσίας Θεάτρου Ελεύθερο Σχήμα. Συνέχισε με μεταπτυχιακές σπουδές στο θέατρο στο Royal Holloway University of London (MA, Department of Drama & Theatre, pathway Playwriting) και στη συνέχεια στη Νέα Υόρκη, όπου διδάχτηκε την τεχνική The View Points System δίπλα στην Anne Bogart και το Siti Company, καθώς και την μέθοδο Suzuki Actors Training του Tadashi Suzuki.

Είναι μέλος της Εταιρίας Ελλήνων Σκηνοθετών.

Ασχολείται με την ψυχανάλυση και την ψυχοθεραπεία τα τελευταία δέκα χρόνια. Παράλληλα, ασχολείται με την συγγραφή θεατρικών έργων, γράφει ποίηση και σκηνοθετεί παραστάσεις. Το θεωρητικό του υπόβαθρο περιλαμβάνει όλες τις θεμελιωμένες ψυχοδυναμικές προσεγγίσεις, αλλά η κλινική του προσέγγιση είναι λακανικού προσανατολισμού. Ο άνθρωπος που θα αποφασίσει να μπει σε ανάλυση, θα μπει σε διαπραγματεύσεις με το ασυνείδητό του, την απόλαυσή του, το σύμπτωμα και την ασυνείδητη επιθυμία του.

Papafilippou Xristoforos MSc is a Psychotherapist - Mental Health Counselor maintaining a private practice in Pangrati. He has completed his postgraduate studies in Person-Centered Counseling and Psychotherapy at the University of Strathclyde and also holds a Diploma in Person-Centered Counseling from the same university. In the past, he volunteered with the Social Solidarity Network "Syn-Existence," offering his knowledge and assistance in various cases.

He conducts individual sessions aimed at adolescents as well as adults who seek a space of safety and acceptance, where they can explore thoughts, feelings, and experiences at their own pace.

His work is based on the Person-Centered approach, where the therapeutic relationship is the core element of the process, standing alongside the client as a companion on their journey of self-exploration. His role is not to direct or provide ready-made solutions but to create a space where the individual can hear themselves more clearly.

For him, the foundation of therapy is the relationship: to listen to the client, to see them for who they are, and to stand with acceptance towards all parts of them, including those they may struggle to embrace.

The Kentro Symfyia - Sakalidi Ioanna is located in Ano Patissia. The philosophy of "Symfyia," as its name suggests, symbolizes healing through the union and synthesis of the self, emphasizing the idea of integration and harmonious coexistence. The name of our psychotherapeutic center reflects the inspiration behind its creation—the process by which two or more entities/ideas closely unite in a way that they become inseparable and function as a single harmonious whole. Embodying these ideas, the center follows the Synthetic Psychotherapeutic approach both individually and in groups. Its purpose is to provide support to individuals so that they can address issues that concern them, such as anxiety management, crisis intervention, interpersonal relationships, self-improvement, personal development, and emotional conflicts. This approach is based on the relationship developed between therapist and client, which, to be effective and creative, must be well-defined, involve warmth and responsiveness, and take place in an atmosphere of acceptance and trust, where free expression of emotions is encouraged.

Giannis Xristopoulos is a Psychotherapist - Group Psychoanalyst and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi, where he provides individual and group psychotherapy.

He studied Sociology and subsequently trained for five years in Group Psychoanalyst Education at the Athens Institute of Group Analysis of the Open Psychotherapeutic Center (E.G.A.T.I.N., National Society of Psychotherapy of Greece), where he remains a collaborator to this day.

He has extensive professional experience as a psychotherapist and has concurrently coordinated numerous therapeutic groups, providing sessions to adults.

He attends and participates in a significant number of conferences, seminars, and educational programs to continuously enrich his professional tools. In his private practice, he offers individual psychotherapeutic sessions to adults and group sessions through Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy.

Varelas Giorgos is a Consultant in Mental Health with a Integrative Approach and maintains a private practice in Akadimia Platonos. He studied Counselling (COSCA, Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) at the Athens Synthesis Center, has completed a one-year seminar in Group Analysis at the Group Analysis Institute 'S.H.Foulkes' and is a member of the Hellenic Counselling Society. Currently, he works as a Mental Health Consultant providing individual adult sessions both in-person and online.

Aggelaki Ioanna is a Mental Health Counselor and maintains a private practice in Exarcheia. She holds a diploma in Counseling Psychology from KE.PSY.SY. At the same center, she is pursuing further training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She has attended numerous seminars on mental health and counseling topics. Her experience encompasses a wide range, including management of anxiety, stress, panic attacks, grief, assertiveness, LGBTQ+ empowerment, and more. As a mental health counselor, she is dedicated to helping individuals improve their mental health and well-being. With a passion for psychology and a desire to positively impact people's lives, she provides a warm and non-judgmental environment to explore your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors together. If you are struggling with anxiety, stress, or any other mental health issue, she is here to support you on your journey toward healing and growth.

Pagona Aria is a Psychotherapist - Group Analyst with a private practice in Ampelokipi. She holds a degree from the Department of Sociology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences. She has been trained in Group Analysis at the Hellenic Society of Analytical Group and Family Psychotherapy, as well as in Behavioral Therapy and Anxiety Disorders at the Research University Institute of Mental Health (E.P.I.PSY.). Additionally, she has attended the Lacanian Psychoanalysis Seminar at the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni," conducted in collaboration with the Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dromokaiteion" and the Academy of Clinical Studies of Athens. Furthermore, she completed her internship at Aeginiteio Hospital, focusing on clinical cases with obsessive-compulsive disorder, and has worked at the Eastern Attica branch for persons with disabilities belonging to the Social Welfare Centers, where she conducted individual and group sessions with the clients. She has also volunteered for six years at the psychological support network "Synypaxi," providing individual and group sessions. As part of her continuing education, she has attended numerous psychology conferences and seminars. In her private practice, she offers individual counseling and psychotherapy for adults and adolescents, as well as analytic group psychotherapies. Specifically, she provides specialized interventions for the treatment of panic attacks, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, specific phobias, depression, post-traumatic stress, as well as for improving interpersonal relationships.

Farantakis Giannis is a Mental Health Consultant - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Ano Patisia. He is a graduate of the four-year Psychology program at Athens Metropolitan College and holds a postgraduate degree in Reichian Body Psychotherapy "Body Posture and Character" from the Hellenic Institute of Neurophytotherapy & Character Analysis "Wilhelm Reich". Concurrently, he has specialized as a Psychotherapist in body psychotherapy at the "Wilhelm Reich" Center. He has gained significant work experience, having served as a workgroup coordinator for the improvement and development of interpersonal and client relations at the company Web-Net Digital Agency, as well as working as a Psychotherapist at the mental health service provider company Man Of Style. He also provided psychological support on the counseling helpline "Together for the Child 11525". In his private practice, he offers a wide range of services, respecting the unique needs of each client.

Eirini Miliara is a Mental Health Counselor with a Synthetic Approach, a regular member of the Hellenic Counseling Society, and maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She studied Counseling (COSCA, Counselling & Psychotherapy in Scotland) at the Athens Synthesis Center. Her initial focus was on preschool children due to her first degree as a preschool education specialist. Subsequently, she continued her training for parents and adolescents in Synthetic Counseling and Psychotherapy. She has volunteered her services at "Synypaksi," a network of social solidarity, mental health support, and culture. Currently, she works as a Mental Health Counselor offering individual sessions to adults and adolescents both in-person and online.