About Me
My name is Alexandra Symeonidou, and I am a psychologist offering online psychological support to the international community around the world. Having been both a psychologist and a therapeutic client, I understand that getting to know someone requires time, effort, and interaction. Nevertheless, I will try to use this space to introduce who I am and how I work briefly.
My journey in psychology was not straightforward, and this is why I know, for sure, that I genuinely enjoy what I am doing. 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) and Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity Therapy. 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. I always clarify that therapy is not a magic pill and the therapist is not a magician. On the 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!
MY QUALIFICATIONS
Work Experience
Psychologist, MSc.
AntiLoneliness
I am currently also collaborating with AntiLoneliness, a company that specializes in mental health services and with a strong mission to support the well-being of the community. AntiLoneliness offers therapy and counseling sessions (face-to-face or online, individual, couple, and family), psychoeducational workshops for professionals and individuals, and therapeutic groups, to those who are struggling with anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, transition, expat life, relationship issues, unhappiness, loneliness.
Researcher
University of Cambridge
Research Policy Group
I worked with Dr. Kai Ruggeri, Professor at Columbia University and the University of Cambridge, and Sarah Ashcroft-Jones Ph.D. candidate at the University of Oxford on two research projects on inequality and economic mobility. Within the context of the Junior Researcher Program, I collaborated with psychology, neuroscience, and sociology students around the world and presented my MSc thesis on risk and protective factors for depression.
Intern Psychologist
Willingness
Sex, Family & Health Clinic
I was trained with each clinic and observed real-client multidisciplinary case reviews. I was trained in academic blog writing and conducted a Systematic Review and a Clinical Audit.
Intern Psychologist
251 Hellenic Air Force General Hospital Psychiatric Clinic
I joined the Multidisciplinary Team and Clinical Supervision meetings while assisting with the diagnosis, treatment (psychiatric liaison), and functional assessment of patients
Education
Diploma in Gender, Sexual and Relationship Diversity Therapy
1-year specialist training that focuses on working with therapy clients of diverse genders, sexualities, identities, relationships, lifestyles & practices accredited by National Counselling Society (NCS) (in progress)
Clinical Training in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
4-year training program accredited by European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT) and provided by Cognitive Behavioural Studies Association (CBSA) (in progress)
MSc Clinical Psychology
Leiden University, the Netherlands
Completed courses such as Clinical Assessment & Interviewing, Cognitive Behavioral Interventions, and Trauma. I conducted my Thesis project on the Risk and Protective Factors for Depression and my full-time clinical internship at AntiLoneliness.
BSc in Psychology
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
Followed courses such as Counselling and Clinical Psychology, Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy, Systemic Therapy, Intercultural Psychology, and Clinical Psychopathology. Completed full-time clinical internship at Petroupoli Consulting Station.
Study Abroad Program
University of Virginia,
U.S.A.
In Partnership with the American College of Greece and the Stavros Niarchos Foundation, I received a full merit-based Study Abroad Scholarship to follow some of my courses in the U.S.A.
