Therapy clients of diverse genders, sexualities, identities, relationships, lifestyles & practices
Depression and other mood challenges (stress, anxiety, panic, grief, anger, guilt, shame, trauma, etc.), mood instability, coping with uncertainty, and dilemmas
Self-knowledge, self-esteem, self-compassion, self-sabotage, burnout, perfectionism, fear of failure/success, procrastination, work-life, study-life balance
Cultural adjustment, expat life, loneliness, immigration challenges
Approaches
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)
Schema Therapy
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT)
Education
Diploma in Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity Therapy (Pink Therapy- sex, gender and relationship diversities, London, UK). Specialized training working with therapy clients of diverse genders, sexualities, identities, relationships, lifestyles & practices accredited by National Counselling Society (ongoing-starting July 2023)
Clinical Training in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (Cognitive Behavioural Studies Association (CBSA), Greece). 4-year program accredited by European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) (ongoing)
Post graduate studies in Clinical Psychopathology, (Eginiteio Psychiatric Clinical Hospital, Greece). 1-year clinical training focusing on psychopathological analysis of symptoms and diagnoses. (ongoing completed by July 2023)
MSc in Clinical Psychology (Leiden University, the Netherlands)
BSc in Psychology (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece)
Minor in Sociology (DEREE – The American College of Greece, Greece)
Study Abroad Program (University of Virginia, U.S.A.)
Work Experience
Researcher, Policy Research Group – University of Cambridge, UK
Intern Psychologist, AntiLoneliness – Leiden, the Netherlands
Researcher, Junior Researcher Program – University of Cambridge, UK
Intern Psychologist, Willingness Sex, Family & Health Clinic – Ħaż-Żebbuġ, Malta
Intern Psychologist, 251 Hellenic Air Force General Hospital – Athens, Greece
Researcher, European Federation of Psychology Students’ Associations – Brussels, Belgium
Soft Skills Trainer, European Federation of Psychology Students’ Associations – Brussels, Belgium
Intern Psychologist, Consulting Station Petroupoli – Athens, Greece
Intern Psychologist, SOS Children’s Village –Vari, Greece
Participations & Memberships
Member of the British Psychological Society (BPS), Association of Greek Psychologists (ΣΕΨ), Netherlands Instituut van Psychologen (NIP)
Junior Researcher Program Conference, presenting my thesis project "Risk and Protective Factors for Depression: A Network Analysis,” Cambridge, UK
Seminar Series LGBTQ+ Identities, Athens LGBTQ Youth Community, Athens
5th EFPSA Conference "Breaking Walls, Building Bridges,” EFPSA, Portugal
Labyrinth of Training: First Aid Mental Health, NGO Kinitro & NGO Iasis, Athens
6th Panhellenic Conference on Cognitive Psychotherapy, Greek Association for Cognitive & Behavioral Psychotherapies (GACBP), Thessaloniki
32nd EFPSA Congress “Exploring Personality-Diversity and Individual Differences”, EFPSA, Malta
Publications
Ruggeri, K. Symone Tutuska, O., ..., Symeonidou, A., ... & Ashcroft-Jones, S. (accepted). The psychology and policy of overcoming economic inequality. Behavioral and Brain Sciences. Preprint available at: http://osf.io/2az6f/
Language
English, Greek
A few words about me
Hello! Having been both a therapist and a therapeutic client, I understand that getting to know someone requires time, effort, and interaction. However, I will try to use this space to introduce who I am and how I work briefly.
My name is Alexandra Symeonidou, and I am an expat psychologist offering psychological support to the international community in the Netherlands and abroad. My journey in the field of psychology was not straightforward, and this is why I know, for sure, that I genuinely enjoy what I am doing. Throughout the years, I completed my BSc in Psychology, engaged in multiple international programs, studied in the USA, and interned in various mental health institutions and research groups around the world, such as AntiLoneliness and the Research Policy Group at University of Cambridge. I also pursued a MSc degree in Clinical Psychology at Leiden University equipping myself with further theoretical and practical knowledge of what being a therapist means and receiving constant guidance and supervision.
My past experiences have set a solid ground that acquainted me with different cultures, contexts, therapeutic tools, clinical cases, and populations. However, I believe in the continuous pursuit of knowledge, and I regularly engage in professional evidence-based trainings and supervision of my practice. My studies were focused on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Still, I individualize each treatment depending on each client’s needs incorporating elements from schema, acceptance and commitment, and dialectical behavioral therapy. I prioritize creating a safe and warm connection with the client to smoothly transition to exploring complex thoughts, emotions, and memories. However, I always clarify that therapy is not a magic pill and the therapist is not a magician. Contrary, therapy needs time and effort by both sides to work♡ If that sounds like something you would be interested in, do not hesitate to contact me as suggested below!
