Therapeutic approach · Palaio Faliro, Athens
An approach that understands each person within the relationships they live in, makes room for life’s bigger questions, and shapes the treatment plan around your own needs.
~THE APPROACH
There are different approaches to psychotherapy, which lead to different models, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.
There are long-term and short-term types, models with or without protocols, traditional or more modern types of psychotherapy.
The approach I work with brings together two of these perspectives: the systemic and the existential model.
~TWO PERSPECTIVES, ONE APPROACH
01 · SYSTEMIC THEORY
The idea behind systemic theory is that people cannot be understood in isolation, but rather within various systems, such as family, the working environment, friendships and romantic relationships.
Systemic theory holds that the system influences the person and vice versa. So, every change that a person achieves also changes the system.
If one person within a relationship goes to therapy, the relationship itself will be altered.
02 · THE EXISTENTIAL MODEL
The existential model refers to people’s existential concerns, such as:
These concerns are expressed through personality and psychopathology.
Becoming aware of them supports the therapeutic process.
~IN PRACTICE
Tailored treatment plan
The systemic–existential model doesn’t follow a fixed protocol, as, for example, behavioral therapy does.
Each psychotherapeutic treatment plan is built according to each person’s specific needs and requests.
Systemic therapy is not as long-term as psychoanalysis, nor as short-term as behavioral therapy. It is considered to be somewhere in the middle.
~ACROSS CULTURES
Psychotherapy is a complex process that often does not adhere to fixed protocols. It depends, to some extent, on the therapist’s skills, training, personal therapeutic experiences, current circumstances and practical considerations. Additionally, culture is often not homogeneous within a single country, let alone across different countries.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many therapists and clients (if I may borrow the term) recognized the benefits of online therapy, often due to practical reasons such as minimizing costs. This shift contributed to the growing popularity of online therapy.
While some people prefer online sessions, there are also expats and immigrants who choose face-to-face therapy, even if it means receiving therapy in a language other than their mother tongue.
My motivation for working across cultures, however, has always been independent of supply and demand.
~LANGUAGE & BEYOND
As a therapist, I’ve learned to carefully monitor my words and thoughts for the client’s benefit.
Beyond that, however, I needed to focus on the correct use of language, not merely in terms of grammar, but in understanding the essence of the language, its meaning and its emotional nuances.
Language plays an especially significant role in therapy. For instance, I prefer the term “challenging” over “problematic”, as the former feels less judgmental. Similarly, the Greek verb for “love” carries a depth of meaning that differs from its more casual use in English.
problematic→challenging
Less judgmental
αγαπώ≠love
A different depth of meaning
After just a couple of sessions with that first client, I realized that while language is important, it is often not the most critical aspect of the therapeutic process.
People communicate on many levels beyond words, and this non-verbal communication frequently bridges and even transcends language barriers.
In the years since, I have worked with individuals from a wide range of cultural backgrounds. I make a conscious effort to stay alert to stereotypes and diversity. Before meeting someone from a culture unfamiliar to me, I strive to educate myself or ask questions to better understand their perspective.
However, the most essential quality for working with people from different cultures, or anyone for that matter, is maintaining an open mind. This involves being:
These qualities have always defined a good therapist.
Ultimately, I often find that the similarities within the human experience are striking. Meeting people in my office has always been an exciting journey for the soul. The cultural dimension adds another layer to that challenge, and I’ve always loved traveling.
~FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
It is an approach that brings together two models. Systemic theory sees people not in isolation but within the systems they belong to, such as family, the working environment, friendships and romantic relationships. The existential model focuses on existential concerns such as fear of death, isolation, loneliness, meaninglessness, will and responsibility.
No. Unlike, for example, behavioral therapy, the systemic–existential model doesn’t follow a fixed protocol. Each psychotherapeutic treatment plan is built according to each person’s specific needs and requests.
Systemic therapy is not as long-term as psychoanalysis, nor as short-term as behavioral therapy. It is considered to be somewhere in the middle.
According to systemic theory, the system influences the person and vice versa, so every change that a person achieves also changes the system. For example, if one person within a relationship goes to therapy, the relationship itself will be altered.
Yes. Sessions are available in English, either in person at the office in Palaio Faliro, Athens, or online.
If you’d like to explore whether this approach suits you, send a message or call. Sessions are available in English or Greek, at the office in Palaio Faliro or online.
In person or online · English & Ελληνικά
If you are in crisis or in immediate danger, please don’t wait for a reply: call 112. You can also reach the Mental Health Support Line 10306 (24/7) or the Suicide Prevention Helpline 1018.
Tell me briefly what you’d like to work on, and I’ll get back to you to arrange a first session.
Everything you share remains confidential.