Mental Health Counselors

Gesthimani Pantelidou is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist and has been running the Mental Health Center - "aniGma" in Nea Smyrni for the past 7 years. She deals with issues related to personal anxieties, difficulties and dilemmas, family matters, issues and challenges concerning adolescents and the elderly, as well as emotional, psychosomatic, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress, and the management of loss and grief. Additionally, as a personal coach with extensive experience in the business sector, she supports the encouragement of change, motivation, utilization of personal potential, enhancement of self-confidence and self-esteem, management of indecisiveness, as well as goal setting and achievement. Based on the Synthetic Approach, she combines techniques from Person-Centered, Cognitive-Behavioral, and Psychodynamic therapies, as well as personal coaching techniques, to flexibly adapt to the needs and personality of each client. In today’s era of general disorientation and loneliness, the human individual strives to cope with pain, fear, and anxiety arising from the ambiguity of their constantly changing life. Psychological support and counseling sessions aim to reveal the distinctly personal functional adaptation method of the individual to the present and future of their life, discovering the unused potentials of their soul in conjunction with the ongoing cultivation of their communication skills with their environment.

“...I am not entirely guilty for the life I lead, since I did not choose it, nor am I entirely innocent from the moment I continue it...”

Ο Ζαχαριουδάκης Ιωάννης είναι Ψυχοθεραπευτής Ψυχαναλυτικής κατεύθυνσης και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Θησείο, όπου παρέχει υπηρεσίες Ατομικής, Ομαδικής, Οικογενειακής Ψυχοθεραπείας και Θεραπείας Ζεύγους. Έχει ολοκληρώσει την εκπαίδευσή του στην Ελληνική Εταιρεία Αναλυτικής Ομαδικής και Οικογενειακής Ψυχοθεραπείας, αποκτώντας εξειδίκευση στην ψυχαναλυτική προσέγγιση και στη δυναμική των ομάδων, των σχέσεων και της οικογένειας.

Παράλληλα, έχει εμπλουτίσει ουσιαστικά την επιστημονική του κατάρτιση μέσα από τη συνεχή συμμετοχή του σε επιμορφωτικά σεμινάρια, επιστημονικά συνέδρια, ημερίδες και διαλέξεις, παραμένοντας σε διαρκή επαφή με τις σύγχρονες εξελίξεις στον χώρο της ψυχοθεραπείας και της ψυχικής υγείας.

Στη θεραπευτική του εργασία δίνει ιδιαίτερη έμφαση στη δημιουργία μιας σχέσης εμπιστοσύνης, αποδοχής και σεβασμού προς τη μοναδικότητα κάθε ανθρώπου. Λειτουργεί μέσα σε ένα σταθερό, ασφαλές και εμπεριέχον θεραπευτικό πλαίσιο, όπου ο θεραπευόμενος μπορεί να εκφραστεί ελεύθερα, να επεξεργαστεί δυσκολίες, συναισθήματα και εσωτερικές συγκρούσεις, και να κινηθεί σταδιακά προς βαθύτερη αυτογνωσία, ψυχική ενδυνάμωση και ουσιαστική αλλαγή.

Η ψυχοθεραπευτική του προσέγγιση απευθύνεται σε ενήλικες που επιθυμούν να κατανοήσουν βαθύτερα τον εαυτό τους, τις σχέσεις τους και τα επαναλαμβανόμενα μοτίβα που δυσκολεύουν την καθημερινότητά τους. Μέσα από ένα ασφαλές και εμπιστευτικό θεραπευτικό πλαίσιο, δίνεται χώρος για επεξεργασία συναισθημάτων, σκέψεων και εμπειριών, με στόχο την ουσιαστική αλλαγή και την ψυχική ανάπτυξη.

Ατομική Ψυχοθεραπεία

Αφορά άτομα που βιώνουν άγχος, θλίψη, δυσκολίες στις σχέσεις, χαμηλή αυτοεκτίμηση, κρίσεις ζωής ή μια γενικότερη αίσθηση αδιεξόδου. Η θεραπεία βοηθά στην αναγνώριση των εσωτερικών συγκρούσεων και στην ενίσχυση της προσωπικής ισορροπίας.

Ομαδική Ψυχοθεραπεία

Η ομάδα αποτελεί έναν ζωντανό χώρο αλληλεπίδρασης, όπου τα μέλη έχουν την ευκαιρία να κατανοήσουν τον τρόπο που σχετίζονται με τους άλλους, να εκφραστούν αυθεντικά και να επεξεργαστούν δυσκολίες μέσα σε ένα υποστηρικτικό πλαίσιο. Η εμπειρία της ομάδας ενισχύει την αυτογνωσία και την αίσθηση του ανήκειν.

Οικογενειακή Ψυχοθεραπεία

Απευθύνεται σε οικογένειες που αντιμετωπίζουν εντάσεις, δυσκολίες επικοινωνίας, συγκρούσεις ή μεταβατικές φάσεις ζωής. Μέσα από τη θεραπευτική διαδικασία αναδεικνύονται οι δυναμικές του οικογενειακού συστήματος και ενισχύονται πιο λειτουργικοί τρόποι σύνδεσης και επικοινωνίας.

Θεραπεία Ζεύγους

Αφορά ζευγάρια που βιώνουν κρίση, απομάκρυνση, συχνές συγκρούσεις, δυσκολίες εμπιστοσύνης ή προβλήματα επικοινωνίας. Στόχος είναι η κατανόηση των βαθύτερων αναγκών κάθε συντρόφου, η βελτίωση της επικοινωνίας και η αναδόμηση της σχέσης.

Η ψυχοθεραπεία δεν στοχεύει μόνο στην ανακούφιση από τα συμπτώματα, αλλά και στη βαθύτερη κατανόηση του εαυτού, ώστε το άτομο, το ζευγάρι ή η οικογένεια να μπορέσουν να ζήσουν με μεγαλύτερη ελευθερία, συναισθηματική ωριμότητα και ουσιαστικές σχέσεις.

Petra Sara is a Mental Health Counselor and Social Worker with experience in supporting individuals facing daily life challenges. She holds a degree from PADΑ (Former Technological Educational Institute of Athens). Since 2021, she has been undergoing further training at the Athens Center for Human Studies (AKMA) as a systemic psychotherapist. She works as a social worker in a mental health unit with individuals suffering from schizophrenia and concurrently manages her own cases through video calls and in person on specific days. Her goal is to provide a safe, supportive, and confidential environment.

Doksastaki Anna is a Psychotherapist specializing in Psychoanalytic Art Therapy and runs the private practice "Art Can Talk Dramatherapy and Wellness Centre" in Heraklion, Crete. She completed postgraduate studies in Applied Theatre "Applied Drama: Theatre in Education, Community and Society" at the University of London, as well as in Psychoanalytic Dramatherapy at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Her training is based on a psychodynamic approach, and consequently, her clinical practice is rooted in psychoanalytic theory. During her stay in the United Kingdom until 2015, she worked in numerous organizations, theatres, counseling centers, and schools as a Theatre Facilitator, Dramatherapist, and Director. The main focus of her studies, academic research, and professional experience is depression and anxiety disorders in children and adults. Additionally, she has conducted research on the beneficial effects of art and play in health crisis situations and has led workshops in Greece and the UK on managing anxiety and grief through creative activities.

Sarikoudis Apostolos is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Thessaloniki. He has completed studies as a Mental Health Counselor with full qualification and certification of a three-year training program at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling, as well as his three-year training at the same center as a Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Psychotherapist. Concurrently, he is pursuing additional training in new therapeutic approaches. He has been professionally involved in psychological support and parental counseling for the municipality of Oraiokastro, Thessaloniki. During his internship, he served as a coordinator in groups for individuals with addictions at the rehabilitation center "Change of Life" and as a research observer in a personal development and self-awareness group at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling. He is a registered full member of the Hellenic Counseling Society (HCS) and a recognized registered member of the European Association for Counseling (EAC). In his private practice, he handles a wide range of cases and notably offers the option for online sessions.

Victoria Papadimitropoulou MSc is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist specializing in psychodynamic approach and maintains a private practice in Neo Psychiko. She is a member of the American Psychological Association (APA). She holds a master’s degree (MSc) in Counselling Psychology and Psychotherapy from Deree/American College of Greece, and a master’s degree (MSc) from the Business School of Strathclyde University. She has completed two years of training in the systemic approach (A.K.M.A), as well as in the psychodynamic approach, in which she specializes. Her work includes group therapy, adolescent developmental issues, internet use, body image, and identity formation. She is specialized in self-esteem issues, interpersonal relationships (work environment, personal relationships), family dysfunction, anxiety management, and depressive tendencies. She has conducted research on the impact of social media, particularly Instagram, on body image and identity formation during the emerging adulthood stage of development. Her clinical experience in psychopathology beyond private psychotherapy practice comes from individual Counseling Psychology sessions in the public framework of the Municipal Health Clinics of the Municipality of Athens, group psychotherapy practice at the 18Anō Addiction Unit of Attica Psychiatric Hospital, as well as individual psychoanalytic-type psychotherapy at the Institute of Mental Health for Children and Adults (IPSIPE). She regularly attends selected certified seminars and training as part of ongoing professional development. She provides sessions in both Greek and English.

Athanasiou Katerina Kai Synergates is a Mental Health Consultant, Systemic Psychotherapist with private practices in Ioannina and Kolonaki. Simultaneously, she is a founding member and Therapist at the Systemic Therapy and Counseling Center Ke.Sy.The.S. in Ioannina, a recognized Training Center of the E.F.T.A. She is specialized in Systemic Family and Human Systems Therapy (individuals, families, organizations) from the Society of Systemic Therapy and Human Systems Intervention. Additionally, she has specialized in Neuro-Linguistic Programming at Reframe Greece and has attended numerous trainings in Systemic Thinking & Coaching. She is a member of the HEAP (Hellas Employee Assistance Programs) network, a regular member of EFTA (European Family Therapist Association), and a member of the European and Hellenic Counseling Association. She works as a Systemic Coach and Mindset Motivator, with expertise in Family Businesses, work-related stress, and guiding Executives and Entrepreneurs in their personal development and fulfillment of their vision. Her focus areas include: management and improvement of quality of life and well-being (Weight Management Groups), anxiety management for employees and others, life change management, depression, life meaning, conscious separation from marriage or relationships, empowerment for achieving relationship or professional success, family conflicts and creating new family goals, support and empowerment for Entrepreneurs, Business Executives and teams interested in developing themselves, their teams, and consequently their businesses, Family Businesses and succession management issues, conflicts with relatives, single parents dealing with partner and child management issues, etc. Finally, she contributes articles to magazines such as Psychology Now, Alternative Action, Epixeiro, Metalogos, and regularly participates in conferences and seminars.

Karopoulos Konstantinos is a Psychotherapist - Integrative Psychologist and maintains a private practice in Kolonaki. His foundational studies in the field of Psychology were completed at the Metropolitan University of London and the Athens University of Economics and Business. Additionally, he holds a degree in counseling psychology and psychotherapeutic counseling from the Pearson certification body in the UK, as well as a diploma in occupational psychology from TUV Austria. He also has a certification in specialized training in medical psychology from the University of Athens. With the aim of continuous professional development, since 2011 he has been attending specialized seminars in the field of mental health.

Xorianopoulou Andriani is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Pangrati. She holds a degree in Sociology from Panteion University and a master's degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy from the University of East London. Additionally, she specialized in Cognitive Psychotherapy at the Kostas Stefanis Research University Institute of Mental Health, Neurosciences and Precision Medicine, in collaboration with the First Psychiatric Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has also volunteered as a psychotherapist at the Social Protection and Solidarity Organization of the Municipality of Vrilissia and at the Parental Equality for the Child Association. Furthermore, in the context of ongoing professional development, she has attended numerous training programs, workshops, and seminars and is a member of the Hellenic Association of Cognitive Psychotherapies and the European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies.

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.

Manta Dimitra is a Mental Health Counselor - Psychotherapist with private practices in Kolonaki and Agios Stefanos. She completed her undergraduate studies in Business Administration at the University of Portsmouth and gained extensive experience working in human resources and organizational management departments. Through this path, she realized the crucial role that psychological needs play in everyday life as well as the importance of managing personality elements. Consequently, she specialized in Business Psychology and pursued postgraduate studies in Counseling and Psychotherapy at the University of East London. Psychotherapeutically, she works integratively, adapting her knowledge to the unique needs of each individual, with a priority on creating a stable and safe environment in which the client feels comfortable trusting their inner self. She has specialized in anxiety disorders, self-development, and healthy relationships, and through group work, focuses on assertive behavior, self-awareness, and emotional attachment. Finally, considering education to be a continuous process, she consistently engages in professional development by attending training programs, seminars, conferences, and workshops.

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.

Ioanna Psomiadi MSc is a Mental Health Consultant - Psychotherapist with private practices in Voula and Acharnes. She holds a degree in Psychology from the American College of Athens and possesses a Certification of Specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Theory & Clinical Practice from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Continuing her studies, she obtained a Master's degree in Human Resource Management for large enterprises (HR) from Bolton University and completed the Group Psychotherapy program at the Athens Center for the Study of Human Behavior (AKMA), as well as the one-year One-Way Mirror Seminar: Effects of mirrors on individual human behavior program. Subsequently, through a series of seminars and clinical training, she has worked in group psychotherapy programs at various psychological support centers in Athens, where she has developed extensive experience in emotional disorders, interpersonal relationships, mood disorders, separations, management of low self-esteem, and generally psychological monitoring and support of adolescents and adults. Since 2022, she has collaborated and contributed articles as a Scientific Associate on Mental Health topics for health and wellness blogs and magazines (Vita.gr, Shape.gr, etc.). In February 2025, she was awarded by the HEALTH EAGLES for patient preference and trust as a psychotherapist. Finally, she undertakes individual therapies providing flexible sessions outside regular office hours, conducting daily appointments by telephone and via Skype for urgent issues, for individuals residing abroad, and for those with difficult and inflexible work schedules and daily obligations.

Karagianni Pinelopi is a Psychotherapist - Group Analyst and maintains her private practice in Exarchia. She successfully completed the training program of the Athens Institute of Group Analysis, which includes clinical practice in a Psychotherapeutic Community, coordination of analytic groups, participation in the Child and Family Therapy department, and supervision of therapeutic activities as required by the Hellenic Association of Psychotherapy. She has attended numerous trainings, including those on life coaching, eating disorders, adolescent psychopathology, parental counseling, LGBTQ+ counseling, and career orientation. It would be a significant omission not to mention that she holds a postgraduate degree in health unit management from the Hellenic Open University. In her private practice, she addresses a wide range of cases and specializes in Psychosomatic Symptoms, Individual, and Group Psychotherapy.

I have maintained a private practice – Valsamo – in Thessaloniki since 2022. I work with the aim of co-creating new life possibilities with the individuals who turn to me, so that suffering is transformed with respect and care into balsams.

I studied Sociology (Hons) at the University of Crete and continued with a four-year training in Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling at the Laboratory of Systemic Psychotherapy & Pedagogy «Rodakino». At the laboratory of systemic ideas, research, and intervention «Entropia», I trained in counseling for parents, children, and adolescents, as well as in creative therapeutic techniques such as systemic sculpture, genogram, and the family board. Concurrently, I completed a two-year program at the Observatory for Rights in the Mental Health Field in the accompaniment of individuals experiencing mental crises and their families, and I am a member of the active accompanying team.

My professional and research activity focuses on social empowerment, depathologization, and meaning-making of the mental experience, as well as on the development of collaborative, non-psychiatric accompaniment and support practices for extreme mental experiences. I present at conferences and seminars and have published scientific articles. I am an active member of the Systemic Society of Northern Greece, the Observatory for Rights in the Mental Health Field, and the Thessaloniki Health Runners Association.

Pougias Xaris is a Psychotherapist - Clinical Hypnotherapist and maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni, while simultaneously serving as a collaborator and lecturer in Psychology courses at the Art Center and Artens seminars. He holds a degree in Psychology and is a certified clinical hypnotherapist by the General Hypnotherapy Standards Council. He specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Bioenergetic Psychotherapy, and is a member of the Stress Management Society. Additionally, he has attended seminars on hypnotherapy, biological mechanisms, stress management, clinical hypnosis, sports hypnosis, as well as Mindfulness. Recently, his scientific interest has focused on Psychosomatic disorders and Psychodermatology, specifically skin conditions such as acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, melanoma, vitiligo, urticaria, and trichotillomania. Finally, he works with autoimmune diseases and Hypnobirthing – smooth childbirth through deep relaxation.