Psychotherapists in Athens

Polyxronaki Panagiota is a clinical psychologist - psychotherapist providing online sessions.

She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Leiden University, Netherlands. She has been trained in the Cognitive Behavioral Approach by the Society of Cognitive Behavioral Studies.

She is certified in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, has completed the one-year postgraduate program in Clinical Psychopathology at the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and the Research University Mental Health Institute (EPISY), as well as holding a diploma in Coaching from UGROW and the Positive Psychology Society.

In parallel, she has attended numerous specialized trainings and continually pursues her professional development through supervision and ongoing education.

Regarding her professional training, she completed her internship as part of her postgraduate studies at the Psychiatric Clinic of the University Hospital of Heraklion and at the Alzheimer Day Center "Nefeli". Additionally, she completed an internship at the Student Counseling Center of NKUA, providing therapeutic support to students.

She works privately, providing sessions to adults and adolescents.

Ο Χώρος Ψυχικής Υγείας MindΒloom γεννήθηκε από το όραμα της κλινικής ψυχολόγου και ψυχοθεραπεύτριας Φωτεινής Καναλουπίτη για την δημιουργία ενός ασφαλούς χώρου, ο οποίος να διακρίνεται από τις αξίες της συμπεριληπτικότητας, της συνεργατικότητας, της απο-παθολογικοποίησης, της άνευ όρων αποδοχής, της ειλικρινούς ενσυναίσθησης και του σεβασμού στη διαφορετικότητα. Σήμερα η ομάδα του χώρου MindBloom απαρτίζεται από τέσσερις επαγγελματίες ψυχικής υγείας, τη Φωτεινή Καναλουπίτη, τη Δανάη Γιαννακοπούλου, τη Δήμητρα Ζαφειροπούλου και τη Μαρίνα Μιχαλάτου, που τις ενώνει η κοινή αξία για την παροχή εξειδικευμένων επιστημονικών υπηρεσιών χωρίς διακρίσεις, σε ένα πλαίσιο που η θεραπεία και η κοινωνική δικαιοσύνη είναι αλληλένδετες. Τα μέλη της ομάδας του Mindbloom είναι ξεχωριστά διαπιστευμένες σε τέσσερις διαφορετικές ψυχοθεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις: Θεραπεία Σχημάτων, Προσωποκεντρική προσέγγιση, Γνωσιακή-Συμπεριφοριστική Θεραπεία και Αφηγηματική Θεραπεία. Αυτό, σε συνδυασμό με την ποικιλία στην εκπαιδευτική εξειδίκευση και την εργασιακή εμπειρία του κάθε μέλους της ομάδας, επιτρέπει την κάλυψη εύρους θεραπευτικών αιτημάτων (δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις, διαχείριση ψυχιατρικών διαγνώσεων και συμπτωμάτων, παροχή υποστήριξης στην εξάρτηση και διασύνδεση με σχετικούς φορείς, υποστήριξη στην εξερεύνηση της ταυτότητας φύλου και της σεξουαλικότητας, υποστήριξη γονεϊκού ρόλου, κ.α.). Η διαδικασία για την έναρξη συνεδριών στον χώρο MindBloom βασίζεται στην λήψη βασικών πληροφοριών για το ενδιαφερόμενο άτομο και το θεραπευτικό του αίτημα ώστε να του προταθεί η επαγγελματίας που κρίνεται πιο κατάλληλη και έμπειρη για την υποστήριξή του με βάση τις εξατομικευμένες ανάγκες του.

Λίγα λόγια για τη συντονίστρια της ομάδας του MindBloom:

Η Φωτεινή Καναλουπίτη είναι Kλινική Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια MSC. Σπούδασε και εργάστηκε στην Ολλανδία (BA,University of Groningen- MSC Clinical Psychology, University of Leiden) ενώ εκπαιδεύτηκε στην Θεραπεία Σχημάτων (Λονδίνο, British Psychological Society,Part 1) και στις Διατροφικές Διαταραχές (Αθήνα, Κέντρο Εκπαίδευσης Διατροφικών Διαταραχών και British Psychological Society). Η πρώτη της εμπειρία σαν θεραπεύτρια έλαβε χώρα στην εταιρία Antiloneliness (Χάγη και Λάιντεν, 2018) όπου εργάστηκε υποστηρίζοντας άτομα από όλο τον κόσμο τα οποία αντιμετώπιζαν δυσκολίες προσαρμογής, σχέσεων, ψυχιατρικές διαταραχές κ.α. ενώ παράλληλα έλαβε και την πρώτη της εκπαίδευση ως Ψυχοθεραπέυτρια. Η κλινική της εκπαίδευση συνεχίστηκε στον φορέα ΚΛΙΜΑΚΑ (Αθήνα, 2020), όπου εργάστηκε για περίπου δύο χρόνια αποκτώντας εμπειρία στην ψυχοπαθολογία και κυρίως στον αυτοκτονικό ιδεασμό, στηρίζοντας άτομα με ψυχιατρικές διαταραχές και τελώντας εικοσιτετράωρες εφημερίες στην Εθνική Γραμμή για την Πρόληψη της Αυτοκτονίας (1018). Οι σπουδές της αλλά και η εμπειρία της με ανθρώπους από όλο τον κόσμο, της έδωσαν την ευκαιρία να χρησιμοποιεί ένα ολιστικό μοντέλο θεραπείας τόσο διαφορετικό και δυναμικό, όσο και η ανθρώπινη φύση. Στο μοντέλο αυτό υπάρχουν στοιχεία από την Θεωρία Σχημάτων, η οποία έχει αποτελέσει την βασική της ψυχοθεραπευτική προσέγγιση, την Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφοριστική Θεραπεία, την Gestalt, και πολλά άλλα. Στόχος της, είναι η συνεχής ενημέρωση και γνώση νέων εργαλείων προσανατολισμένων στην ανακούφιση και υποστήριξη. Ο άνθρωπος είναι κατεξοχήν δυναμικό όν, αλλάζει, προσαρμόζεται και εξελίσσεται. Έτσι ακριβώς αντιλαμβάνεται το θεραπευτικό ταξίδι και αποτελεί έναν από τους σημαντικότερους λόγους που την γοήτευσε και συνεχίζει να την γοητεύει.

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.

Spanoudakis Giorgos is a Psychiatrist who maintains a private practice in Athens. He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He began his psychiatric specialty training at the LVR Klinik in Düsseldorf, Germany, and completed it at Aeginiteio Hospital in Athens. During his training, he encountered a full range of psychiatric cases and disorders (psychotic, mood, anxiety - obsessive-compulsive disorders, as well as substance dependencies, sexual disorders, eating disorders, etc.), and participated in training programs in Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Psychodynamic Psychotherapy. After completing his training, he continued practicing in the private sector and also worked as an external collaborator at the General Hospital of Thira.

Kaltsa Lydia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist providing both online and in-person sessions. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Crete and is trained in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Additionally, she has been trained in EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT), thereby enriching her approach with modern, experiential, and scientifically validated methods. She is also trained in the administration and analysis of the MMPI-2 psychometric tool for psychopathology and holds certification in Applied Counseling.

She manages a wide range of cases, always focusing on providing the best possible care to each individual seeking support. She has particular expertise in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Anxiety Management, Anxiety Disorders, Mood Disorders, Panic Attacks, Specific Phobias, and Trauma.

Vasiliki Xristidi is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi, where she conducts both in-person and online sessions, addressing a variety of cases. She is a graduate of Panteion University, with postgraduate studies in Business Psychology from the University of East London. In the course of her professional career, she has collaborated with mental health professionals to provide comprehensive care to her clients. During her internship at the Attica Psychiatric Hospital Dromokaiteio, she gained valuable experience with a wide range of psychiatric cases, deepening her expertise in diagnosis and psychological support. She holds certifications in the psychometric instruments MMPI-2 and WAIS-IV, as well as training in Mindfulness, applied in anxiety management and enhancing psychological resilience. In her practice, she provides psychological support to adults experiencing anxiety, depression, mood disorders, panic attacks, and workplace difficulties. Additionally, she offers specialized support to individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, ensuring a safe and accepting therapeutic environment. She also works with children, adolescents, and parents, focusing on emotional development, behavior management, and improving communication within the family. She continuously pursues professional development by attending seminars and trainings to deliver modern and effective interventions.

Mparmakelli Margarita is an Existential and Systemic Psychotherapist, Family Therapist, and Clinical Social Worker maintaining a private practice in Athens, at Pedion tou Areos. In 1990, she graduated from the Department of Social Work at the Technological Educational Institute of Athens (SEYP) and subsequently completed her postgraduate studies at the University of West Attica, specializing in clinical social work with children, adolescents, and families. She has been a co-therapist in adult psychotherapeutic groups from 2023 to the present. Additionally, she has worked as a program coordinator for the internship and professional rehabilitation of youth with intellectual disabilities at the Special Education Workshop "Margarita," as the head of a shelter for women survivors of violence and women victims of human trafficking at the National Center for Social Solidarity (E.K.K.A.), as well as providing counseling and social support to women survivors of domestic violence, women victims of human trafficking, and individuals undergoing social crises. She is a member of the Association of Social Workers of Greece (SKLE) as well as the Hellenic Society of Systemic Therapy (EL.ESY.TH.).

Kokona Anastasia - Frinta is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Kolonaki, providing individual psychotherapeutic sessions for adults, children, adolescents, and parent counseling sessions. She studied Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and completed her postgraduate studies in Health Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK (MSc in Health Psychology). She is a member of the Greek Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society (BPS), in order to stay continuously updated on new research findings in the field of Psychology. She specializes in psychological support for patients with chronic illness, cancer patients, and psychological support for relatives of cancer patients. She has been trained in Cognitive Psychotherapy as part of the "I.N. Papakostas" program at Aeginiteio Hospital. Additionally, she holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education and Training of individuals with oral and written language disorders. During her professional career, she has worked as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist in special therapy centers in Athens and hospitals, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in her field. Specifically, she has worked as a Psychologist - Scientific Collaborator at the Naval Hospital of Athens, as well as a Counseling Psychologist - Psychotherapist for Children and Adolescents in special therapy centers in Athens and at the Chalandri Mental Health Center. She is also certified in administering psychometric tools. Finally, she has attended numerous seminars aimed at continuous education and training in her field.

Zafeiri Antonia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Pangrati. She holds a degree from Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and has been trained in Cognitive Analytic Psychotherapy, Applied Behavior Analysis, and the administration of diagnostic tests. She has worked in private psychotherapeutic centers and public institutions as part of her internship (Family Therapy Unit of the Attica Psychiatric Hospital, Aeginiteio Hospital). Additionally, she has attended numerous seminars and participates with publications in psychology conferences. In her private practice, she provides specialized services tailored to the unique needs of clients concerning issues related to anxiety (panic attacks, generalized anxiety), depression, bipolar disorder, interpersonal relationship difficulties (partner, family), critical life events (grief, divorce, illness), psychosomatic problems, addictions, parental counseling, parent-child relationship difficulties, challenges in the school environment, and behavioral problems, and administers diagnostic tests.

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.

Tsami Katerina is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi, Attica. She is a graduate of Psychology from Panteion University and holds a Master's Degree in Health Unit Management from the Hellenic Open University. She was trained in Schema Therapy by the Hellenic Society of Schema Therapy and holds an Advanced Practice Diploma in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy as well as specializations in Behavioral Therapy for Anxiety Disorders, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Compassion-Focused Therapy, and Trauma Therapy using the EMDR method. Additionally, she has attended an annual Clinical Psychopathology seminar at Aeginiteio Hospital. Throughout her professional career, she ensures continuous updating of her knowledge by attending seminars and further training related to her field. She has worked for many years as a psychotherapist in a private mental health center, as well as an adult education instructor in General Psychology and Interpersonal Relationship Management courses in various organizations in the past. Concurrently, during the years 2020-2023, she served as a Deputy Psychologist at the Ministry of Education (EPEP). Currently, she offers Mental Health services to adults in her private practice through sessions conducted either in-person or remotely.

Ο Μάριος Μπαγιάστας είναι Κλινικός Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπευτής με άδεια ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος, εξειδικευμένος στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) και στη χρήση τεχνικών Mindfulness. Παρέχει δια ζώσης συνεδρίες στο γραφείο του στο κέντρο της Αθήνας αλλά και online ψυχοθεραπευτικές συνεδρίες, δίνοντας τη δυνατότητα σε άτομα από όλη την Ελλάδα και το εξωτερικό να λάβουν ψυχολογική υποστήριξη από την άνεση του προσωπικού τους χώρου. Διαθέτει πτυχίο Ψυχολογίας από το University of East London και μεταπτυχιακό δίπλωμα στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία από το Euraka, ενώ έχει ολοκληρώσει και δεύτερο μεταπτυχιακό στην Κλινική Ψυχολογία από το London Metropolitan University. Επιπλέον έχει παρακολουθήσει μετεκπαίδευση στις Αγχώδεις και Καταθλιπτικές Διαταραχές από το Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών (ΕΚΠΑ). Κατά τη διάρκεια των συνεδριών του, ενσωματώνει τεχνικές Mindfulness, βοηθώντας τους θεραπευόμενους να εστιάσουν στο "εδώ και τώρα", να διαχειριστούν το άγχος και τις αρνητικές σκέψεις και να ενισχύσουν τη συναισθηματική τους ισορροπία. Η χρήση Mindfulness έχει αποδειχθεί ιδιαίτερα αποτελεσματική στη μείωση του άγχους, των κρίσεων πανικού και της κατάθλιψης, ενισχύοντας τη συνολική ψυχική ευεξία. Με σημαντική εμπειρία σε φορείς Ψυχικής Υγείας όπως οι Ψυχαγκάλη, Roe, Mytherapist και Milamou, ο Μάριος Μπαγιάστας έχει συνεργαστεί με άτομα που αντιμετωπίζουν: Αγχώδεις Διαταραχές, Κατάθλιψη, Κρίσεις Πανικού και Φοβίες, Διαταραχές Διατροφής, Διαχείριση Θυμού και Διαχείριση Πένθους. Οι συνεδρίες που προσφέρει έχουν σχεδιαστεί για να προσαρμόζονται στις ανάγκες του κάθε θεραπευόμενου, προσφέροντας ένα ασφαλές και υποστηρικτικό περιβάλλον. Με στόχο τη δημιουργία ενός κλίματος εμπιστοσύνης και αποδοχής, βοηθά τους θεραπευόμενους να ενδυναμώσουν την αυτογνωσία τους, να αποκτήσουν ψυχική ανθεκτικότητα και να ζήσουν μια ζωή γεμάτη ισορροπία και ευεξία. Οι αξίες που διέπουν τη δουλειά του είναι η ενσυναίσθηση, η αποδοχή, το πραγματικό ενδιαφέρον για τον άνθρωπο και η αγάπη για την επιστήμη της Ψυχολογίας.

Dimitra Sigala is a Psychologist, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete, a final-year student of the postgraduate program “Forensic Psychiatry” at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and holds a professional license to practice psychology.

She has completed the annual postgraduate seminars in Clinical Psychopathology and Clinical Skills in Psychopathology "Panagiotis Oulis," as well as training in the administration of the Structured Clinical Interview SCID I, organized by the First Psychiatric Clinic of the University of Athens.

In parallel with her studies, she has attended part of the training program in Cognitive Psychotherapies offered by the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Psychotherapies, and she is a trainee Systemic Psychotherapist. Additionally, she has been trained in Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy through the Eagala (Equine Assisted Growth and Learning Association) model in Staffordshire, England.

Her professional experience has enabled her to work in a clinical setting managing suicidal thoughts and self-destructive behaviors, as well as providing psychotherapy and counseling to adults.

She has gained clinical experience working as a volunteer psychologist in social therapeutic programs within psychiatric facilities, such as the Day Hospital Center of the Research University Mental Health Institute (E.P.I.PSY.), Rethymno Hospital, among others.

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).