In February 2002, I graduated from Deree – The American College of Greece with a BA in Psychology. Alongside my undergraduate studies, I attended seminars on Adlerian Psychotherapy, the diagnosis and rehabilitation of learning difficulties, the education of children with pervasive developmental disorders using the ABA method, and the Makaton language program for children with autism. I also participated in a research project recording data on socially excluded individuals in the Cyclades region, especially in my home island, Andros. During that time, I also joined a therapeutic and educational Gestalt Psychotherapy group led by Toula Vlachoutsikou.

In 2001, I volunteered for a year at a creative engagement program for children at PIKPA, while also taking courses at the Center for Psychological Studies, focusing on children with learning difficulties.

After completing my degree, I moved to the UK to pursue a Master’s in the Psychology of Education (MEd) at the University of Bristol. My postgraduate research focused on issues related to the education of children with chronic illnesses, such as thalassemia, as well as learning difficulties. My thesis examined the factors influencing the academic success of immigrant students in Greece. During this time, I also attended seminars in Counseling and Communication Skills, and an introductory course in Art Therapy.

In 2003, I chose to remain in the UK for another year, completing the first year of training in Integrative Psychotherapy at the Bath Institute of Counseling and Psychotherapy, as well as training in Person-Centered Psychotherapy at the University of Bristol. I also worked at a research company during this period.

In 2004, I returned to Greece and began volunteering at the Theotokos Foundation for the Education of Children with Special Needs, as well as with the NGO Arsis, supporting children with delinquent behavior. I also completed a seminar in Introduction to Psychological Assessment at the Open Psychotherapeutic Center.

In May 2005, I moved to Syros and volunteered for four months with the Mobile Mental Health Unit. There, I offered counseling to individuals with bipolar disorder and provided educational support to children with learning difficulties and dyspraxia.

From September 2005 to July 2011, I worked at Argo – Center for Child, Adolescent, and Family Development and Therapy. My work involved diagnosing and supporting children with learning difficulties and those on the autism spectrum — both educationally and psychotherapeutically — as well as offering parental counseling. For two of those years, I was also responsible for coordinating the center and supervising non-psychologist therapists.

During this time, I received training in:

•Developing social stories for children on the autism spectrum

•Organizing parenting schools

•The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS)

•Social-sexual skills development for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder

I also gave a presentation at the Panhellenic Conference on Dramatherapy & Play Therapy titled “Dramatherapy and Psychopedagogical Intervention in a Child with Asperger’s Syndrome”, and regularly attended conferences focused on autism and child development.

In 2006, I began running parent groups and conducting learning assessments for children in my hometown in Andros, supported by the local municipality of Ormos Korthiou.

In 2007, I began formal training in Gestalt Psychotherapy, attending not only the core program but also additional seminars on crisis intervention, abuse, Gestalt therapy with children, and others. I presented a group project on experiential learning in Gestalt Psychotherapy at a public seminar, and collaborated on group work around topics such as:

•Gestalt and Sexuality

•Character Types in Group Therapy

•Gestalt Therapy and the Child

•The Therapist’s Character in the Therapeutic Process

I completed my training with a thesis titled: “Gestalt Psychotherapy and Autism: Working with Aggression.”

In 2011, I earned my second degree from Panteion University, completing a dissertation on “Social Representations of the December 2008 Events” and completing an internship at PEPSAEE (Day Center for the Psychosocial Rehabilitation and Vocational Reintegration of Individuals with Psychosocial Problems). This also marked the point where I became officially licensed to practice as a psychologist in Greece.

Between 2011 and 2013, I trained in Focusing-Oriented Therapy with children. In 2012, I attended the “Parent Effectiveness Training” (PET) by Gordon Hellas, and the following year, the “Teacher Effectiveness Training” (TET). During this period, I opened my private practice in central Athens, working with both children and adults in individual sessions and leading parent groups based on PET. In 2012, I also began collaborating with the Epilysis Counseling Center.

In 2015, alongside my private practice, I worked for six months in an early intervention program for children with autism at the Pedagogical Institute. That spring, I organized a four-day seminar for individuals facing difficulties with eating and food-related issues.

In 2019, I collaborated with Touch and Boundaries, an initiative focused on protecting children from sexual abuse. I organized parental workshops on sexual education and helped curate materials for a theater-education program for children aged 4–12.

That same year, I began training in Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for couples and started my professional development in trauma therapy, specifically in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM).

This is the journey I’ve followed so far — one I continue with the same passion and dedication, striving to offer the most reliable and meaningful support to those who seek it.