Anna K. Mavrelos MSc, MAT, CCATP-CA, ASDCS, CIMHP I am a Greek/American born and raised in the United States. Coming from an immigrant family that had its ups and downs. I was raised in a tight-knit community surrounded by others who experienced similar struggles. One of the issues we all had was language, especially expressive language. I spoke mainly Greek till the age of six. At the age of 23, after receiving my bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in education from a university in my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. I fulfilled my dream of moving to New York City. My experience as a teacher in the NYC public school system taught me what “real” empathy means, what cultural diversity is, and how to live and work blissfully in a multicultural environment. I saw the same struggles I had in those students, but this time, I could help because I could recognize the actions of an anxious child struggling. Thirteen years later, I fulfilled my next lifelong dream of living in Greece. This was always very important to my immigrant parents, who had always taught us the importance of respecting our roots. While in Greece, I became the co-creator and co-owner of a children’s center in Glyfada called Pedopolis. In my experience in NY and Greece, I learned that some issues are very similar, no matter the child’s economic status or family dynamics. At this point in my career, I didn’t want to be just an educator. I wanted to take a deeper and more active role when being with children and their families. I wanted to “marry” my two professions into one. My desire to work with children, young adults, and their families led to me receiving a Master’s Degree in Clinical Psychology. Returning to my first degree after twenty years as an educator seemed like a natural transition. After getting my degree, I opened my private practice, became a full-time member of Roots Wellness Center, and became a professor in a college in Athens, teaching in the education and psychology departments. In my private practice, I work individually with adults, children, young adults, and their different family members. Many parents worry about their children, their current feelings, and how this can affect their future. Parents later understand that it isn’t only the child’s issue but a family issue because it affects the entire family. Parents also realize, in time, that they need to heal their “inner child” to become the parents they always wanted to be. I applaud parents who want to do the best for their children and their entire family, and I’m grateful to be a part of that journey. Group therapy has also been a passion of mine. Being an educator, I am used to leading groups of people that seem different between them but have a common thread. I enjoy my work with groups, especially with clients who see the benefit of a “tribe” that works together for a common goal. I work with various groups and subgroups of children, young adults, families, and caregivers. Being in therapy is a journey for my clients and myself. I feel the vulnerability of being a human but the security that we are all in this together. After each session, I can sense a change in my clients and myself, and that’s when my mother’s words come to mind, “As long as I’m alive, I’m changing.” MSc, MAT, CCATP-CA, ASDCS, CIMHP Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Child and Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional, Certified Autism Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy
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