Psychotherapists in Heraklion

The INTERNUS counseling and psychotherapy center, led by clinical psychologist Mr. Kargakis Emmanouil - Internus, maintains offices in Heraklion, Rethymno, Chania, and Athens, offering a wide range of services concerning treatment, rehabilitation, prevention, and promotion of mental health, primarily based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT). Mr. Kargakis, a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki with postgraduate studies in Clinical and Counseling Psychology at La Salle University of Philadelphia, and his experienced associates, supported by a modern and continuous framework of supervision, training, and professional development through attendance at national and international psychology conferences, ensure the provision of the most advanced mental health services. Over the years, our center has developed activities and collaborations with various organizations such as SOS Children's Villages, O.E.V.E.N.H, O.E.V.E.N.X, secondary education tutoring centers, schools of various levels, sports clubs, educational seminars for the general public, appearances on television and radio programs, and contributions to local blogs. Sessions are conducted by appointment either in person or online.

Parasyri Iro is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete. She has completed her postgraduate training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling, while currently pursuing her master's degree in Developmental Psychology and Educational Applications at the University of Crete. Additionally, she has attended online training seminars at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, focusing on Couple Counseling and Special Education. She completed her internship at the Mental Health Clinic "Agios Charalampos" and has worked at the Municipality of Heraklion at KEKOIFAPI Mastaba and on the psychological support hotline. In the private sector, she has collaborated with speech therapists regarding difficulties experienced by children and their parents. She has volunteered at the SOS Children's Village in Heraklion, providing music lessons and creatively engaging the children. Furthermore, she has worked with the Mobile Mental Health Unit "Arogi" in Agios Nikolaos, in the psychosocial support program "No One Alone During the Pandemic." Since 2021, she has maintained her private office in the center of Heraklion, Crete, while also voluntarily offering her services to the association "Eu-zo me ton Karkino" ("Living Well with Cancer"). Concurrently, as part of her ongoing education, she attends the Psychoanalysis Training Program of the Borromean Knot Society of the New Lacanian School (Crete Branch) as well as the Training Program "Skills and Techniques of the 3rd Wave CBT" at the Educational Institute of Synthetic Approach.

Miliaraki Aggeliki - Maria is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She holds a master's degree in Health Psychology and Social Psychology from Maastricht University in the Netherlands and a degree in Psychology from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. Additionally, she graduated from the 4-year program in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Laboratory of Systemic Thinking and Education in Heraklion, Crete. She has worked as a Psychologist at the Elderly Care Unit "HERA" and as a School Psychologist at the Special Vocational Education and Training Laboratory of Agios Nikolaos. Furthermore, she worked at the 4th SDEY Heraklion, providing assessment and support to children in inclusion classes, parents, and teachers. She has volunteered with KESAN and the volunteer association for prevention "the Team," where she co-organized a personal development group/parent school at a local kindergarten and volunteered in the Psychological Service of the Psychiatric Wing of the University General Hospital of Heraklion. Finally, she participated as a speaker on "Stigma against mental illness" at a KESAN seminar for World Mental Health Day and took part in coordinating and organizing an experiential workshop at the Pan-European EFTA - Tic Conference, on the theme of Unpredictability in Psychotherapy.

Kostas Patsakis MSc is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. He holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed a four-year Master's Diploma in Clinical Psychology at the same university. Throughout his professional career, he has worked in numerous mental health facilities. After many years of work as a psychologist in Thessaloniki, he returned to Heraklion where he collaborates as a scientific associate with the private hospitals of Medical Care Crete. He also provides psychotherapy services at the Counseling Center for Students of the University of Crete. Additionally, he is actively involved and a member of the Pan-Cretan Association of Parents and Friends of Children with Neoplasia "The Sunbeam," where he offers counseling services.

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.

Panagiota Seferai is a licensed Psychologist - Psychotherapist specializing in Clinical Counseling, with experience in providing psychological support to children, adolescents, and adults, and conducts Online Psychotherapy sessions. She studied Psychology at the University of Derby (United Kingdom), where she completed both her undergraduate studies in Psychology and her postgraduate degree in Applied Clinical Counseling Psychology. She works in psychopedagogical settings, providing sessions for children and adolescents with autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, and other emotional or developmental disorders, as well as offering parent counseling. Concurrently, she works on an adult psychotherapy platform, offering support for anxiety disorders, enhancing self-regulation skills and mental resilience, applying cognitive-behavioral approaches and mindfulness techniques. Additionally, she has substantial experience in social institutions, where she provided psychological support, organized empowerment groups, and promoted social inclusion of vulnerable populations. She has been trained in specialized seminars on psychotherapy for autism, selective mutism, and the Marte Meo approach. The specialist approaches each therapeutic relationship with empathy and professionalism, tailoring interventions to the needs of each individual.

Η Κατσούλη Ιωάννα είναι Ψυχολόγος και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Ηράκλειο Κρήτης. Είναι απόφοιτη του Τμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης. Έχει ολοκληρώσει Μεταπτυχιακό Δίπλωμα Σπουδών στην Εφηβική Ιατρική και Φροντίδα Υγείας Εφήβων στο Τμήμα Ιατρικής του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης και έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Γνωστική Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (CBT) μέσω τετραετούς δια ζώσης προγράμματος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Έρευνας Συμπεριφοράς – Παράρτημα Μακεδονίας. Επαγγελματικά, έχει εργαστεί ως Ψυχολόγος στο Δήμο Θεσσαλονίκης, ενώ παράλληλα απέκτησε κλινική εμπειρία ως εκπαιδευόμενη Γνωστική-Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια στο Ψυχοθεραπευτικό Κέντρο «Στήριξις». Το ενδιαφέρον της επικεντρώνεται στην παροχή επιστημονικά τεκμηριωμένων υπηρεσιών ψυχικής υγείας, με έμφαση στην υποστήριξη εφήβων και ενηλίκων. Παράλληλα, συμμετέχει ενεργά στην επιστημονική κοινότητα, παρουσιάζοντας ερευνητικές εργασίες σε επιστημονικά συνέδρια. Το 2026 παρουσίασε τη μεταπτυχιακή της διατριβή με τίτλο «Εικόνα σώματος και ποιότητα ζωής σε εφήβους – νεαρούς ενήλικες επιβιώσαντες από παιδικό καρκίνο: περιγραφική ανασκόπηση» στο 55ο Συμπόσιο της Παιδιατρικής Εταιρείας Βορείου Ελλάδος.

If you are experiencing anxiety, internal pressure, or difficulties in your relationships, it may be time to connect more closely with what you are going through.

Psychotherapy is not merely a problem-solving process—it is a space of understanding where you can give meaning to your experiences and create meaningful change.

Dimitrios Tolidis is a B.Sc Psychologist – M.Sc in Clinical and Dynamic Psychology, working with adults and couples, providing a safe and stable therapeutic environment.

His therapeutic approach emphasizes:

• understanding emotional patterns

• exploring relationships

• and processing traumatic experiences

The work is based on an integrative approach, centered on psychodynamic understanding and elements of psychotraumatology, tailored to the pace and needs of each individual.

Sessions are conducted in person in Heraklion, Crete, and online.

Understanding begins within us.

My name is Giorgos Mylonas, I am a Psychiatrist-Psychotherapist and a specialist in Acupuncture. I maintain a private practice in Trikala and offer online psychotherapy sessions. BRIEFLY - Graduated from medical school at the University of Ioannina - Residency at the University Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA - Postgraduate training at Fountain Way Hospital, UK - Specialization in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - Certification in Acupuncture (ICMART). I studied at the medical school of the University of Ioannina from where I graduated in 2011. In 2012, I gained clinical experience as a psychiatric liaison at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London. In 2013, I served as a community doctor at Kos General Hospital. In 2014 I started my speciality in psychiatry at the Leros State Infirmary, where I participated in the acute patient department, psychosocial rehabilitation structures and PIKPA (cases with autism, neurodevelopmental syndromes, mental retardation). At the same time, my training in psychotherapy began. I then worked at Fountain Way Hospital in England, a psychiatric hospital with numerous clinics such as psychogeriatrics and adult and psychiatric intensive care units. I completed my specialisation at the University Hospital of Thessaloniki, AHEPA, in the 3rd Psychiatric Clinic. During my speciality, I was trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy while conducting psychotherapeutic sessions with outpatients. During the same period, I additionally attended a multi-year Cognitive-Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBT) programme. Later, I participated in a 2-year medical acupuncture programme (traditional-western) and received certification (ICMART). I worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in the psychiatric clinic of the University Hospital of Larissa for three years. I was in charge of the psychogeriatric department. In 2023, I started my Master's degree at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki titled Neurosciences and Neurodegenerative Diseases. My surgery provides services for the entire spectrum of mental health (psychotherapy, pharmacotherapy, or combination). Additional acupuncture sessions for smoking cessation and pain conditions (migraines, back pain, gonalgia, cervical syndromes, etc.). The surgery has easy access to a parking area and provides easy access to the elderly and people with mobility problems and disabilities. There is the possibility of home visits and online sessions.

I was born in Athens in 1983, where I spent my childhood and school years.

Driven by my Cretan roots and the prestigious reputation of the University of Crete, I decided to study Medicine in Heraklion following the national exams in 2001. I graduated in 2008 with a GPA of 7.05 ('Very Good').

Immediately after obtaining my degree, I moved to Munich, Germany, to pursue my medical residency. Although I initially wavered between Neurology and Psychiatry, I was drawn to Psychiatry after a year of working in neurological rehabilitation.

I completed my residency at the renowned psychiatric teaching hospital Inn Salzach Klinikum in Wasserburg am Inn, affiliated with the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU). During the academic years 2015/2016, I also served as a lecturer at the hospital's nursing school.

In the summer of 2016, I was awarded the title of Specialist in Psychiatry and Psychotherapy (Facharzt für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie) by the State of Bavaria. My medical specialty was officially recognized in Greece in 2017.

From 2017 until late 2024, I worked as a specialist Psychiatrist-Psychotherapist at the outpatient clinics of KBO-Klinik Nord in Munich. Parallel to this, from 2018 to 2023, I served as a Court-Appointed Psychiatric Expert for the Bavarian State Courts, collaborating with the Munich-based institute GWG (Gesellschaft für wissenschaftliche Gerichts- und Rechtspsychologie).

In 2018, I had the honor of being a speaker and interpreter at the Greek-German conference "Challenges of Psychotherapy in a Globalizing World," organized by the Munich Medical Academy for Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy and the Orthodox Academy of Crete in Kolymvari, Chania.

Returning permanently to Greece in 2025 marked a year of transition after 15 years in Germany. In 2026, I established my private psychiatric practice in Heraklion, Crete.

My extensive experience in Germany allowed me to work across the full spectrum of mental health disorders. This background shaped my approach to mental illness as a complex issue with biological, psychological, and social dimensions. I am committed to providing high-level medical services with profound respect for the individual, free from discrimination, stereotypes, or stigma.

H Mαρία Σμαργιανάκη είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Ηράκλειο Κρήτης από το 2012. Είναι απόφοιτος του Tμήματος Ψυχολογίας του Boltοn University και του μεταπτυχιακού MΕd.Εκπαιδευτικής Ψυχολογίας του University of Manchester, στο Ηνωμένο Βασίλειο.Εργάστηκε στη Δευτεροβάθμια Εκπαίδευση του Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου ως ψυχολόγος και SEN-Co (Συντονίστρια Ειδικών Εκπαιδευτικών Αναγκών) και εκπαιδεύτηκε στην Προσωπο-Κεντρική θεραπευτική προσέγγιση (Centra και Bolton University).Από το2004 που επέστρεψε στην Ελλάδα, εργάστηκε σε δημόσιες δομές όπως τα ΚΕ.ΔΑ.ΣΥ (Κέντρα Διεπιστημονικής Αξιολόγησης και Συμβουλευτικής), όπου παρείχε ψυχομετρική αξιολόγηση και ψυχοκοινωνική υποστήριξη παιδιών και εφήβων καθώς επίσης και συμβουλευτική γονέων. Στη συνέχεια μετεκπαιδεύτηκε στη Γνωσιακή - Συμπεριφορική θεραπεία στο 4ετές πρόγραμμα του Τομέα Ψυχιατρικής και ΕπιστημώνΣυμπεριφοράς του Τμήματος Ιατρικής Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης (Κλινική εκπαίδευση και κλινική άσκηση υπό εποπτεία).Από το 2020 μέχρι και σήμερα, εργάζεται και στο Συμβουλευτικό Κέντρο Φοιτητών του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης, παρέχοντας ατομική ψυχολογική υποστήριξη στους φοιτητές/ριες και στο διοικητικό προσωπικό του Πανεπιστημίου, και σχεδιάζοντας και υλοποιώντας βιωματικά σεμινάρια ή/και ψυχοεκπαιδευτικές ομάδες διαφόρων θεματικών. Στο παρόν,συνεχίζει να παρακολουθεί σεμινάρια που αφορούν κυρίως τη Γνωσιακή -Συμπεριφορική Θεραπεία (ΓΣΘ), καθώς επίσης και τα Πανελλήνια Συνέδρια της ΓΣΘ και στα μελλοντικά της σχέδια είναι η συνεχιζόμενη εκπαίδευση σε ψυχοθεραπευτικές προσεγγίσεις. Συμμετείχε στην έρευνα που παρουσιάστηκε και δημοσιεύτηκε στο 18ο Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο Ψυχολογικής Έρευνας, 2022, της Ελληνική Ψυχολογικής Εταιρείας, στον Κλάδο της Συμβουλευτικής Ψυχολογίας, με θέμα ΄΄Η αποτελεσματικότητα των ψυχολογικών παρεμβάσεων στο Συμβουλευτικό Κέντρο Φοιτητών του Πανεπιστημίου Κρήτης: Μια ποσοτική μελέτη΄΄.Στο παρελθόν συμμετείχε εθελοντικά στην ομάδα-αυτοβοήθειας για άτομα εξαρτημένα από το αλκοόλ, του Συλλόγου ΄΄Προμηθέας΄΄,ως συν-συντονίστρια και μέλος του Διοικητικού Συμβουλίου, για 4 έτη.Τέλος, σήμερα πραγματοποιεί συνεδρίες δια ζώσης και εξ αποστάσεως στην Ελληνική και Αγγλική γλώσσα, προσφέροντας υπηρεσίες που αφορούν ζητήματα όπως: γενικευμένο άγχος, κοινωνικό άγχος, σωματοποίηση άγχους, ειδικές φοβίες, κρίσεις πανικού με ή χωρίς αγοραφοβία, μετατραυματικο στρες, ιδεοψυχαναστική διαταραχή, κατάθλιψη, διαχείριση πένθους, διαταραχές στον ύπνο, διαχείριση χρόνιου πόνου, διαχείριση θυμού, δυσκολίες στις διαπροσωπικές σχέσεις, εκπαίδευση στη διεκδικητική συμπεριφορά, διαχείριση αναβλητικότητας καθώς και συμβουλευτική γονέων.

Kaffetzakis Emmanouil is a Psychologist – Psychotherapist with a Psychoanalytic orientation and maintains a private practice in the center of Heraklion, Crete, where he conducts sessions for adults and adolescents. He is a member of the Borromean Knot Society of the New Lacanian School of Psychoanalysis in Greece and actively participates in its activities.

Psychoanalysis is an invitation to speak. Over time, each person's speech organizes around what is difficult or impossible for them to bear. They speak about their symptom. Lacanian psychoanalysis offers the possibility of inventing a new way to cope with their symptom, with the specific way they suffer. Through the discourse that the analysand addresses to the analyst, they can begin to find personalized and satisfactory solutions to old and repetitive modes of existence and reactions.

Mauromatakis Konstantinos is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. He is a graduate of the Department of Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and specializes in Experiential and Somatically Focused Psychotherapy (a four-year experiential program at the Greek Focusing Center). He has completed both basic and advanced training in EMDR Psychotherapy through an accredited program by the EMDR Europe Association. He has worked as a psychologist and psychotherapist in public and private institutions, all supporting numerous individuals with traumatic backgrounds, where EMDR is applied as part of the therapeutic process.

Ms. Vardoulaki Katerina is a psychologist and psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She graduated from the Department of Psychology at the University of Crete, while her postgraduate specialization in Clinical Psychology was completed at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has attended seminars and continuing education programs from accredited institutions (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ampelokipi Mental Health Center of Thessaloniki, 18 Ano, etc.). She has contributed translationally to scientific texts by Ian Parker, and in 2022, her research on the evaluation of mental health structures was published in the International Journal of Psychology. Throughout her professional career, she has worked in a counseling and therapeutic capacity with children, adolescents, adults, families, elderly individuals, and socially vulnerable groups. Among the professional settings in which she has been employed are schools, short-term adolescent residential facilities, Social Cooperative Enterprises (Koin.S.Pe.), Mental Health Centers, nursing homes, OKANA (Organization Against Drugs), and others. Psychotherapeutically, she has worked individually with adults and families. In her practice, she follows the psychodynamic approach.