On Thursday, February 9, 2017, α lecture entitled "Flirting with the unknown" was held, in Culture Chaine IANOS in Athens.

Mrs Marietta Paraschou, psychologist, psychotherapist, working both on individual and group therapy, started the lecture by focusing on the need to flirt that exists in all people regardless their age, the reasons that push people to flirt, as well as the ways in which flirting was expressed in earlier times to today. Flirting is an on-going process and as a result it complies with the change of attitudes and needs of the society.

The images and video projection enhanced what Marietta analyzed, and added a humorous note to the lecture. It was emphasized that through flirting, we play, explore, try and ultimately we live. The interaction with the audience was warm and spontaneous and the dialogue that followed gave even more triggers for thought about the topic and its extensions.

You can watch this lecture and many others, very easily, by going to Gestalt Foundation channel on You Tube.

On Friday, 10/02/2017, held a lecture on "Trauma and treatment”, on Culture Chaine IANOS in Thessaloniki.

Mrs. Viktoria Askaridou, Mental Health Counselor, Psychotherapist Gestalt, and Traumatherapist (EMDR, CRM), started her presentation, by analyzing what trauma is. She informed of the latest discoveries in Neurobiology regarding the brain and the trauma. Finally, she focused on how we process the trauma in order to have a non- traumatic treatment.

At the end of the presentation, Mrs. Askaridou practiced meditation, where the participation of the audience was overwhelming.

You can watch this lecture and many others, very easily, by going to Gestalt Foundation channel on You Tube.

On Friday, February 17, 2017, Mrs Katia Chatzilakou, presented a lecture entitled:

'Contact '... with' rigid armor 'or creative adaptation? "

"... For the most part, we can consider the creativity of the self and the organism / environment adjustment as polar concepts: one cannot exist without the other ... No adjustment can be made only with the conservative inherited self-regulation. The contact must be a creative transformation ... "

Perls et al., 1951

The lecture was held at City College, International Faculty of the University of Sheffield (in the Auditorium, (Av. Sofou 3 Thessaloniki)), as part of the lecture program "Psychology for All".

The presentation has maintained the interest of a large audience, who at the end posed numerous questions on the subject.

• Antoniou Elena, BSc (University of La Verne), with an MSc in Counselling Studies (University of Hull). She is also a Gestalt therapist and Supervisor, member of the Greek and European Association of Gestalt Psychotherapy (HAGT, EAGT), as well as a member of Attachment Parenting Hellas. She has also completed the basic CRM training in the Institute of Trauma-therapy. She has worked with children groups, in psychiatric residents, in women abuse groups in support groups for cancer volunteers as well as in therapy groups at Gestalt Foundation. As of 2006 she works in private practice.

• Askaridou Victoria, Mental Health Counselor, Gestalt Psychotherapist, Gestalt supervisor, Sand play Therapist, Hypnosis Therapy, Adlerian training in parent groups, Trauma Therapist (EMDR, CRM basic & advanced), CRM trainer.

• Balliou Despina, M.Sc. Counseling Psychology, Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, ECP holder (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Member of EAGT’s Training Standards Committee (European Association for Gestalt Therapy). Member of the Board of Directors of NOPG (National Organization of Psychotherapy in Greece). Founding Member of HAGT (Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy).

• Chantziara Demetra, BSc (Hons) Psychology, accredited Gestalt Psychotherapist, Supervisor & trainer. Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT). Trained group psychotherapist in Gestalt approach. Trained in EMDR Traumatotherapy method.

• Chatzopoulou Sevi, Psychologist, Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainee gestalt trainer and supervisor, MSc in Health Psychology–University of Surrey, U.K ., Member of EAGT, H.A.G.T., Member of Panhellenic Psychological Association, counseling-psychological support for adult treatment of anxiety disorders, mood disorders, eating disorders, personality disorders, chronic diseases, mourning-loss, abuse, sexual issues, crisis management, interpersonal relationships and communication issues, disability issues, issues with the elderly. Training and supervision of volunteers for people with chronic illnesses and families in crisis.

• Diplas George, PgD in PCA Counseling, Gestalt therapist, trainer and supervisor, EAGT member (European Association for Gestalt Therapy), ECP holder and member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT).

• Farmaki Maria, Psychologist, Early Childhood Educator, Β.Α. Psychologist, Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor. Member of the Pan-Hellenic Association of Early Childhood Educators (P.A.E.C.E), and of EAGT. Founding member and Ex-president of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT).

• Giaglis George, M.D., MSc, Ph.D. He holds a degree and a Ph.D. in Medicine; AUTH. Specialized in neurology and subspecialized in neuropsychiatry. He holds a degree and a Ph.D. in Psychology, AUTH. Four Master's Degrees in Medical Research Technology, in Statistics, in Cognitive Psychology & Neuropsychology and in Adult Education. Gestalt therapist, supervisor and trainer, member of EAGT & HAGT. He has been trained also in Schema Therapy, Compassion Focused Therapy and Emotionally Focused Therapy. He has a private practice, is a guest lecturer in two postgraduate programs, and is a member of various research groups. He is a basic trainer of Gestalt Foundation and a workshop instructor.

• Giagou Ada, Psychologist, Psychotherapist and Gestalt Trainer, Gestalt supervisor, member of EAGT and HAGT, post graduate training in Forensic Psychology and Criminology. ECP holder.

• Gioni Konstantina, Psychologist (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki), ΜSc Mental Health (National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), Gestalt Psychotherapist & Supervisor, Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy), Member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT). Holder of ECP (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). She has worked with self-support groups for addicted persons and their relatives, at inpatient structures and protected apartments and guest houses of psychiatric structures, with women support groups, parents’ counseling groups, at public schools for children with special needs, elementary schools, vocational high schools and Center for Differential Diagnosis and Support (for pupils), as a coordinator of therapy groups and as an individual therapist.

• Hatzilakou Katia, M.Sc. Clinical & Social Psychology (A.U.Th.). Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, member of EAGT (ex-Chair of NOGT and External Relation of EAGT) and the National Psychotherapy Company of Greece. ECP holder (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Founding member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT).

• Kalaitzi Elpida, counselling psychologist (BSc, MSc) and a Gestalt psychotherapist and supervisor (accredited by EAGT& HAGT). She has been trained in UK as well as in Greece. She currently works in Athens in a drug treatment unit and she sustains a private practice since 2000. She has worked as a researcher, as a job counselor, as a trainer and educator. Her research interests related to infant development, to relational issues, to professional ethics and to various topics of psychotherapeutic issues.

• Kalota Joanna, MSc Counseling Psychology, Gestalt Psychotherapist, trainee Gestalt trainer and supervisor. Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT). She has been working as a psychotherapist since 2004. She works with: adults, people with chronic diseases, caregivers of people with chronic diseases, parents with disabled children, parents of adolescents, volunteers (planning, training, supervision) of vulnerable groups. She has been collaborating with Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy & Training Centre since 2007, as therapy and supervision group coordinator.

• Kato Ioanna, mgr. psychologist, Gestalt therapist, supervisor and trainer. Polish of origin she has been living and working in Greece for the last 28 years -currently mostly in private practice. Being herself a migrant she is also an associate and volunteer at Babel Day Centre in Athens, where she offers support for mental health workers and migrants. Joanna trains internationally. She is the former chair of the Human Rights & Social Responsibility Committee of EAGT and a member of the Greek Association of Gestalt Therapy (H.A.G.T.). She has been involved in the field of human rights since 1997, has worked in several NGOs, is an E.A.P. member, ECP holder. www.joannakato.com, contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Konstantinidou Antonia, Birth, 1969 in Thessaloniki, Greece. BSc in Psychology, MSc in Social & Clinical Psychology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (1994). Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer, and Supervisor since 1998. Co-founder of Training Institute “Gestalt Foundation". Member of Association of Greek Psychologists, H.A.G.T. (Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy–founding member, ex-president), European Association for Gestalt Therapy (E.A.G.T); European Association for Psychotherapy (E.A.P). She works internationally as Gestalt Therapy trainer & supervisor and conducts lectures and workshops with topics such as: diagnosis, psychopathology, and supervision in the context of Gestalt Therapy. From 2020 she also leads groups on Mindfulness.

E-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

• Kostalou Aggeliki, Psychotherapist and Supervisor-member of HAGT and EAGT. BA in Psychology (American College of Greece), MSc in Psychology and Health (City University, London), PgCert in Counselling Skills (British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy, London) and BA in History of European Civilization (Hellenic Open University). She also works as a family counsellor, facilitates psychoeducational and therapy groups and teaches psychology in various educational institutions. She has worked with HIV and cancer patients, stroke survivors and victims of domestic violence and abuse.

• Koutsopoulou Ioanna, is a certified psychologist with a MSc in Counselling Studies. She is also a Gestalt psychotherapist and supervisor and she is trained in CRM trauma therapy. She is a member of EAGT and HAGT. She works in her own private practice as a psychotherapist, supervisor and group facilitator. She has worked as a trainer for counselors and with lifelong learning groups for vocational education. She has facilitated psychoeducational groups for children, adults and parents. She is the co-author of the book “Psychoeducational Groups for Children: Theory and Practice” (in Greek).

• Makridou Melina, MSc Health Psychology, University of Bristol UK, Gestalt Psychotherapist, gestalt supervisor. Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT). She has been practicing her profession since 2006 with adults and people with chronic diseases, both at individual and group level (Association of Cancer Patients of Katerini & Pieria “Saint Ekaterini”). Since 2007 she has been collaborating with Psychotherapy & Training Center Gestalt Foundation as coordinator in therapy groups and experiential workshops.

• Mavridou Maria, BSc, Med. Psychologist A.P. Th, Master in Education / Psychotherapist and Gestalt Supervisor. Member of EAGT and HAGT. She graduated from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Department of Psychology) in 1995. In 2004 she completed her training in the Gestalt psychotherapeutic approach (European Certificate of Gestalt Psychotherapy) and became a regular member of HAGT (Hellenic Association of Gestalt Therapy) and EAGT (European Association of Gestalt Therapy). In 2013, she received a master's degree in Education (EAP). During the years 2018-2020 she trained as a Gestalt supervisor (certified member of HAGT & EAGT) while in 2020-2021 she completed her training in Cinematherapy (National & Kapodistrian University). He speaks English, French, Italian, Spanish. She worked for 15 years in a counseling center (Social Support Center) in individual and group counseling as well as in the short-term therapy of teenagers and adults. She also focused on counseling parents and children, organizing parenting schools as well as on the psychological support of Vulnerable Social Groups (single-parent families, abused families, refugees, disabled people, etc.). She was a consultant for cultural employment in the European program "Artists in action" of the EQUAL initiative. In the field of volunteerism, she worked in the social structure of YWCA, providing individual counseling to women. For a decade she also participated in voluntary actions to support cancer patients (Association of cancer patients of Macedonia - Thrace, ALMA ZOIS, Association of cancer patients and friends of Xanthi, etc.) organizing seminars and member support groups. In this context, she was the supervisor of volunteer gestalt psychotherapists for 3 years. Over the last years she has been working in private practice, focused on psychotherapy as well as on supervision on an individual and group level. Also, she organizes and coordinates lectures, seminars and personal development groups. She deals with issues of interpersonal relationships (couple, parent-child relationships, etc.), self-awareness, losses, chronic illnesses, panic attacks, chronic anxiety, etc.

• Mavromichalis Anastasis, Psychologist, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, MA in Social and Clinical Psychology, Member of EAGT and HAGT, Member of the Association of Greek Actors, Actor, Gestalt He has been working as psychologist since 1996 at structures for psychosocial intervention and therapy to high-risk population groups (Prisoners, gypsies, street children, addicted to psychoactive substances). He also works as psychotherapist in private practice both on individual and group level, emphasizing on the “here and now” and on the “mirroring” that strengthens awareness. He is particularly attracted to the therapeutic dynamic of the self-help groups. Since 1994 she has been participating as an actor in different theatrical groups of Thessaloniki.

• Michailidis Κostas, He studied Forestry at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. In the course of his career, he changed field and devoted himself to the science of psychology. He is a graduate of TEESSIDE COLLEGE, in Counseling and Psychological Science. He is Gestalt therapist and trainer, supervisor, member of EAGT and of HAGT & ECP holder (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). He works, as an individual therapist, in his office at Ag. Dimitrios, with groups and couples.

• Mitsogianni, Anta, M. Sc Clinical Psychologist, Gestalt Psychotherapist and Supervisor, Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (H.A.G.T.). She has worked as a clinical psychologist at Mental Health Centers since 2002 and was an associate of Dr. Th. Askitis (neurologist - psychiatrist) at the Institute for Mental and Sexual Health (psychotherapy for adults, counseling line, statistics, research, articles), practicing at the same time individual and group adult psychotherapy in private. Participated in the writing team of Dr. Th. Askitis for primary school books “Sexual Education and Transgender Relations” 6-8 years and 8-12 years (Sept.2009, series) for the National Youth Foundation of the Ministry of Education and the books “Sexual Health” (2008), “Let’s talk about our relationships: images of our life” (2007), as well as other books and mini encyclopedias.

• Mouslech Helen, psychologist, graduate of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Gestalt psychotherapist and supervisor, holder of ECP, member of EAGT & HAGT. She has been working with groups and individuals in her practice since 2010. She focuses on body phenomenology and movement to discover new ways of expression and awareness in the therapeutic process. She is interested in the relational dimension of psychotherapy. Meditation teacher, coordinates mindfulness groups and courses.
• Orfanou Antigoni, Educational Psychologist (Μ.Sc. Professional Training in Educational Psychology), Psychotherapist and Gestalt supervisor, Member of EAGT and Member of the Hellenic Association of Gestalt Therapy (HAGT). She has worked as a scientific associate and researcher in Psychotherapy Centers in Athens, Thessaloniki and Piraeus, as School counselor in Prefectural institutions, as an Educational Psychology lecturer for teachers and school staff, as Psychotherapist in programs supporting Romani women, autistic children and sexually abused children in UK and Greece. She has followed a training program in psyco-somatic therapy in Ruella Frank's Center for Somatic Studies, and is currently monitoring and supervising families with babies up to 1,5 years old of age. She is based in Alimos, Athens since 1996.

• Papathanasiou-Pexlivanidou Katerina, Psychologist/ Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer and Supervisor. I work in my private office as a Psychologist-Psychotherapist and I run both individual and group sessions. Additionally, I work as, a Counsellor in the Counselling service of City College/International Faculty of York University, having sessions both with the students and the staff members. Moreover, I work as a trainer and supervisor in the “Gestalt Foundation” Psychotherapy & Training Center of Thessaloniki and I am a scientific associate of KEADD and of Diatrofi.gr. I participate with presentations in conferences both in Greece and in other countries, I write articles and I conduct training and experiential workshops. Bachelor of Science in Psychology, University of Sheffield, UK, Master of Science, in Psychology and Counselling, University of Sheffield, UK, Specialization in Gestalt Therapy, “Gestalt Foundation” Psychotherapy & Training Center of Thessaloniki, Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and Obesity, KEADD, Center for Education and Treatment of Eating Disorders and Obesity, Training Program for Gestalt Supervisors, “Gestalt Foundation” Psychotherapy & Training Center of Thessaloniki. Member of the British Psychological Society (B.P.S), of the American Psychological Association (APA), of the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC), of the Hellenic Association of Gestalt Psychotherapy (H.A.G.T), of the European Association of Gestalt Psychotherapy (E.A.G.T), of the European Association of Psychotherapy (EAP), of the Greek Psychological Association (ΣΕΨ). European Certificate in Psychology (EuroPsy)

• Shadmon Rama, MSc Social & Clinical Psychology, Gestalt Psychotherapist & Supervisor. She works with adults both individually and in groups. She collaborates with Gestalt Foundation, Psychotherapy & Training Center, as a supervisor both for individuals and for groups (W.M.C.A.). Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy) and founding member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy (HAGT).
• Siampani Katerina, Counselor, Gestalt Psychotherapist-Trainer-Supervisor, MSc in Counseling and Psychology, University City-Sheffield U.K. Trained in Sand play and Art-Therapy. Member of EAGT, member of H.A.G.T. associate's degree of ECP. She worked for many years in YWCA of Kalamaria organizing and coordinating counseling groups for parents with children of preschool hood and adolescents and participating in administration committee of YWCA of Greece. Last twenty years she is working in Hellenic Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders -since 2002 voluntarily and since 2005 professionally until today- applying to Gestalt Psychotherapy adjunctive therapeutic approaches, such as Art-Therapy, Gestalt Reminisce Therapy, Sand play Therapy and fairy tales. In addition, she provides psychological support in groups of caregivers of people suffering from dementia and groups for people with M.C.I. Since 2005 she works as personal professional psychotherapist. Collaborator of the Gestalt Foundation. Since 2005 she has been privately practicing the profession of psychotherapist. At the same time, she has worked in groups at the Association of Cancer Patients of Northern Greece and in groups of women with breast cancer at ALMA ZOIS. Writer of the books: «Marching Together. The perspective of Gestalt therapy in dementia», and «Diary of Psychotherapy. Illuminating the windows of the psyche».
• Yiamarelou Yianna, M.A. in Clinical Psychology, Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, ECP holder (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Member of EAGT (European Association for Gestalt Therapy). Founding member of HAGT (Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy).

The Gestalt Foundation, taking into account that our environment, science, technology and consequently our societies and individual perceptions and attitudes are constantly changing, renewed and evolve, considers lifelong education imperative for a psychotherapist and Mental Health consultant.

This conviction compels the Foundation to annually organize a continuing education program, realized through a series of thematically specialized workshops and supervisions

Each year specialized and established trainers from Europe and N. America are invited to coordinate these workshops. The Foundation believes that the exchange of trainers gives added value to training.

The main focus of the continuing education program is to allow the furtherexploration of theory and supervision as well as the individual development of professionals.

Gestalt Foundation has created a list of Gestalt therapists who meet basic education and practical criteria. The list is constantly updated.

The student can get it from the secretariat and discuss, if desired, the choice of the therapist with the mentor of the year.

Gestalt Foundation, in order to help create a basic handbook in Greek, for the Gestalt in Organizations workshops, encouraged the personal interest shown by two of its trainers George Stamatis and Ioanna Rizou, and that resulted to the publication of this handbook.

The first part of the book includes a translation by Ioanna Rizou of Frans Meulmeester book, which analyzes the Gestalt theory as a factor of creative change in Organizations.

In the second part with George Stamatis they coauthored two more segments:

the first connects the world of Organizations, Businesses and management with the Gestalt approach, and

the second introduces case studies that showcase the way in which the Gestalt approach “works” in Organizations & Businesses in the applied and practical field.

The result of these efforts is the publication of this book: “THE ART OF CHANGE-GESTALT: A DIFFERENT APPROACH FOR ORGANIZATIONS” available in both Greek (from I. Sideris publications) and English.

The book aims to:

• Introduce the Gestalt approach to the world of Business and Organiszations.
• To explain what Gestalt approach is, how it works and what Gestalt approach can offer to Management and Staff.
• To bring a new impetus to the development of Business and Organizations.
• And last but not least, to present a new way in which we approach the (much needed) creative changes in our professional life

Friday 19/05/2017

Performance by the group of motion of Athens and Thessalonica.

•  “The body that delivers and is delivered”

Despite our differences, I exist and we exist in space and time with common roots, sounds, images, our breath, our hearts pulse. As a carrier and expresser of meaning, our bodies surrender the individual and collective history from our birth till today; transmute our truth bridging the then with the now and surrender to the present and the flow of time. Incorporating traditional and contemporary dance and motion techniques we will go through a personal and group course of discovery, learning, impartation, delivery and acceptance in the in-between and the now.

Katia Hatzilakou, M.Sc. Clinical & Social Psychology (A.U.Th.), Gestalt Psychotherapist, Trainer & Supervisor, member of EAGT (ex-Chair of NOGT and External Relation of EAGT) and the National Psychotherapy Company of Greece. ECP Holder (European Certificate of Psychotherapy). Founding member of the Hellenic Association for Gestalt Therapy.

Konstantinos Katsamakis, Kinesiologist, graduate of Major Professional School of Danse of Thessalonikis’ Municipality.

Exarmenia Pappa, BA in Psychology (National Kapodistrian University of Athens), MSc Mental Health Studies, Gestalt Psychotherapist and Trainer, Member of EAGT and HAGT, PgCert Gestalt Body Process (Trained by James Kepner) Certificate in Performance Studies in Dance (Birkbeck College London). She runs a private practice in Athens, Greece. She facilitates groups and workshops that combine gestalt therapy with movement and dance, support groups for teachers in secondary education and educational workshops for gestalt therapy trainees. She is particularly interested in exploring movement, dance and somatics methods and applying them in her therapeutic work.

Eleni Chatzigeorgiou, Psychologist-Gestalt Psychotherapist, Dance Therapist DRLST, Responsible of Pedagogics of the DRLST International Training Program of Dance Therapists, based in Paris.

Kostis Poulianakis percussion instruments player. Kostis deals with percussion instruments since 1999. Having studied with great masters in music workshop Labyrinth he undertook the teaching of traditional percussion at the University of Macedonia in 2009. He has played with Ross Daly, Motel Selenik and various other shapes of Crete and Thessaloniki. In 2016, he finished his master on the use of Indian rhythmic and technic in the Eastern Mediterranean percussion at Kontarts Arts Academy in Rotterdam.