I am a psychologist working with adults that face a wide range of difficulties including anxiety, depression, trauma, dysfunctional relationships etc.
I got my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Coventry (UK) and my Master’s degree in Consciousness and Transpersonal Psychology from Liverpool John Moores University (UK).
I have spent six months as an intern at the Child Psychiatry section of the Public Mental Health Centre of Peristeri in Greece and one year at the Adult public Mental Health Centre of Chalkida, Greece.
I obtained a Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Analytic Therapy and Relational Psychoanalysis from the Institute of Relational and Group Psychotherapy, Greece and at the same time began volunteering as a psychologist at the Counseling Centre for Preventive Medicine of Chalandri, Greece (2 years) and at the 2nd Municipal Health Centre of Ayia Paraskevi, Greece (5 years).
For the past 5 years, I have been working privately in Athens, Greece and continue to advance my knowledge in psychology and psychotherapy through numerous continuing education programs and seminars with a particular preference in psychoanalysis.
Over the years, I have grown great respect and love for psychoanalysis and consequently, my approach to psychotherapy is psychodynamic. I believe that our life and current situation is greatly influenced by deep-seated needs, desires and urges that are in most part unconscious and that our adult self is shaped by our childhood experiences combined with genetically hereditary characteristics. Behaviours and symptoms then serve multiple unconscious functions. We don’t really know ourselves; we tend to hide from us due to a variety of internal conflicts, inhibitions, anxieties and defense mechanisms. A therapist’s goal is to help the person in his/her search for and understanding of the real self. Knowing oneself better and the motives that drive our behaviour leads to the breaking off of repetitive dysfunctional behavioural patterns, improved self-esteem, better relationships with the people around us and generally a more fulfilling, symptom-free life.
I view psychotherapy as a journey. The goal(s) every person sets is the destination. People come to psychotherapy with different destinations in mind. Some will want to work on their anxiety for example and reach a more calm state of mind in their lives. Others might want to work on their relationships and save their marriages or maybe battle depressive symptoms or just explore their inner world and form a better, integrated view of themselves. Each person is unique and so is the destination they choose, the medium they will use to reach it and the pace in which they will do it. My purpose is to help them reach their destination in the best possible way. The most important thing is to take the first step, now!
Some of my interests and activities, outside of work, include reading fiction and Greek poetry, going to the theatre/cinema, hiking, socializing, spending time with pets and drawing.
I am a Private English-speaking Psychologist in Athens specialised in psychological therapies for adults.
Overall
It’s always been hard for me to get my thoughts out to make sense, but Athina has made me grow in so many ways. With her, I’m able to acknowledge the problems I’m having and by using the skills taught, they don’t weigh me down. If you are looking for a great therapist, I highly recommend you book her!
