OUR TEAM
PSYCHOLOGISTS
ELENA ARISTODEMOU, MA, LPMHC
Elena Aristodemou is the Founder and Lead Psychologist of Altius Mind Institute, licensed Clinical Psychologist in Cyprus and licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York City. In 2019, Elena Aristodemou launched Altius Mind Institute to support individuals suffering from mental health disorders and to help them achieve a long term recovery. Elena Aristodemou received her education in United Kingdom where she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Reading University. Upon coming to the United States of America she obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from American International College. Early in her career, Elena was trained in a variety of psychological treatments by current leaders in the field of psychology. Her trainings and certifications include a 4-year training in Interpersonal Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy program for Eating Disorders, Compulsions and Addictions at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, Psychoanalysis, and Psychology in New York City, USA, an intensive training in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Personality Disorders at the Beck Institute for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Philadelphia, USA, and an Intensive training in Gestalt Psychotherapy by Dr. Scott Kellogg in New York City, USA. Elena Aristodemou works with individuals suffering from mental health disorders; Her expertise spans a wide range of areas, including addictions and substance abuse, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), anxiety, personality disorders, eating disorders, trauma, attachment issues, self-esteem challenges, and relationship conflicts. In addition to providing therapy for these conditions, Elena also conducts psychotherapy and diagnostic assessments at the Thalassemia Center and the Pedieos IVF Center in Nicosia.
“I honor the courage it takes to ask for help and to look at your own wounds”.
Therapy language: English 
/ Greek 
ELENA GIAPPA, MS, CCTP, CSTIP
Elena Giappa is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Cyprus, a Certified Clinical Trauma Professional (CCTP), a Certified Couples and Sex Therapy Informed Professional (CSTIP) (Integrative Sex Therapy Institute) and a Certified Autism Spectrum Clinical Specialist (ASDCS). She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Athens National and Kapodistrian University, in Greece. Following her graduation, her internship at a specialist mental health practice for bipolar patients introduced her to the evidence-based application of clinical psychology in the field of mental health. Additionally, she worked as a licensed Psychologist at the Panhellenic Duchenne/Becker Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Association, providing evaluation and emotional support to children and their families. Upon her coming to Cyprus, she obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nicosia. She has worked in collaboration with companies providing mental health support to employees worldwide. Elena Giappa works with children, adolescents, adults and the elderly, using various theoretical approaches (CBT, DBT, Psychodynamic, Person-Centered) and assessment tools. Currently, she works at Altius Mind Institute with individuals suffering from both mood and personality mental health disorders, from multiple cultural, sexual and professional backgrounds. Some indicative areas of her expertise are: anxiety/panic attacks, depression/mood related issues, bipolar disorder, obsessive compulsive disorder, childhood trauma, abuse, attachment, grief, boundary issues, insecurity/self esteem, intimacy and romantic relationship issues, family/child and couples issues, conflict, communication, and workplace stress.
“The therapeutic process aims to create a safe place built on respect and honesty, where your thoughts, feelings, and experiences can be processed, in order to further personal growth and development”.
Therapy language: Russian 🇷🇺 / English 🇺🇸 / Greek 🇬🇷
MARIOS ANTONIOU, MS
Marios Antoniou is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Cyprus. He obtained his bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Cyprus. Moreover, he obtained his master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Nicosia. Throughout his bachelor’s degree he conducted a literature review on how theory of mind relates with language disorders and language development. Also, throughout his postgraduate program he conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on how trauma is related to callous unemotional traits and developmental pathways to psychopathy. During his internship, he provided psychological services in various organizations such as: Research and Counseling Center (KESY), Charity Union for People with Disabilities (SKAPANEAS), and Evening School of Nicosia. He worked with different population groups such as people suffering from depression, anxiety and trauma. Also, he worked as a psychologist providing individual psychotherapy to children, adolescents and adults. Moreover, he was trained on psychological assessments (WAIS-IV, WISC-V) and in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT therapy). Ηe is keen on working with a diverse population with the use of integrative approach by combining Psychodynamic therapy, CBT and Person-Centered approach.
“I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become”. – Carl Jung
Therapy language: Greek 🇬🇷
ALEXANDRA CHARALAMBOUS, MS
Alexandra Charalambous is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Cyprus. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology, from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in Greece. During her studies, she participated in the self-help promotion program where she provided psychotherapy to individuals suffering from substance abuse and addictions and psychoeducation and support to their family members. Upon coming to Cyprus, she obtained her master’s degree in Clinical Psychology, from the European University of Cyprus. During her internship, she worked at the Center of Counseling and at the Center of Applied Psychology and Personal Development. Throughout her internship, she organized and coordinated experiential workshops for teenagers and adults. Furthermore, she obtained her clinical work at the Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital in Nicosia, where she provided psychological assessments, individual therapy/ therapeutic interventions and family counseling to individuals suffering from chronic mental health disorders. She worked at the Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family (SPAVO) with victims of domestic violence. Currently, she provides individual therapy to adolescents and adults, couples therapy and parent counselling at Altius Mind Institute. Her trainings and certifications include “Special Education: Interdisciplinary Convergence Practices” (Distance Learning Program of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), “Cluster B Personality Disorders: Antisocial, Borderline, Histrionic, and Narcissistic Disorder” (Distance Learning Program of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens), the educational program “Healing the Trauma” by Dr. Gabor Maté, and training and certification in the use and interpretation of the MMPI-2 multiphasic tool.
“There is no light without shadow, and no psychic wholeness without imperfection”.
Therapy language: Greek
EVANTHIA SOTERIOU, MS
Evanthia Soteriou is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in Cyprus. She has a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of Leicester UK and a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from the European University of Cyprus. Her academic research focused on the psychosocial impacts of endometriosis on mental health, contributing to valuable insights into the association between chronic physical conditions and psychological well-being. As part of her practical training, she worked at the Center of Applied Psychology and Personal Development (KEPSYPA) and at the Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital in Nicosia. Throughout her training she provided individual, group and family therapy to a broad demographic population. She is trained and certified in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD (Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder) in children, adolescents and adults. She is dedicated to helping her clients navigate through their challenges and achieve personal growth and healing. Evanthia is committed to staying current with the latest research and techniques in the field of psychology to ensure the highest quality of care for her clients. She is currently undergoing specialized training in trauma treatment (CCTP-II). Her therapeutic approach is eclectic, tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual, thereby formulating personalized treatment plans for the optimal therapeutic results. Her approach in therapy is underlined by compassion and empathy, fundamental to establishing a safe and trusting therapeutic alliance. By prioritizing these values, she fosters an environment encouraging personal exploration.
“It’s important to hear what isn’t being said.”
Therapy language: English 🇺🇸 / Greek
FOTIS KOUKOS, MS
Koukos Fotis is a licensed Clinical Psychologist in Cyprus. The first academic steps were taken with a degree (BA) in Sociology at the University of the Aegean, where he recognized his passion towards mental health and so he did his internship at the Psychiatric Hospital of Athens “Dromokaiteio”. Followed by BA in Psychology and MS in Clinical Psychology at the European University of Cyprus. In his research, he was interested in the way in which the family’s past experiences can be related to personality traits, such as sensation seeking, while at the postgraduate stage he focused on the relationship of traumatic family childhood experiences with the difficulty of emotion regulation. Additionally, considering that through experiential psychotherapy it is possible to get in touch with internalized parts that we do not have easy access to, he is trained in Play Therapy and Inner Relationship Focusing (IRF) with the aim of better understanding the wholeness of the self as well as creating a compassionate relationship with him. Koukos Fotis worked as part of his degree internship at the Center for Applied Psychology and Personal Development (K.E.PSY.P.A.) where, through research, he contributed to the creation of self-help guides for students during the pandemic. As part of his postgraduate studies, he worked at the Athalassa Psychiatric Hospital where he provided assessments and interventions to people with active psychopathology, individual sessions as well as family counseling. In addition, he worked at KENTHEA and Hope For Children in which he provided psychotherapeutic interventions for people with addictions, counseling and psychotherapeutic sessions for children, adolescents and adults, experiential workshops in schools about bullying, self-confidence, acceptance and management of diversity.In the past, Fotis has also worked as part of his military service as a psychologist in the Greek Army as well as a psychologist – responsible for the protection of children’s rights for two years in children’s camps. Currently he is working at the Altius Mind Institute providing individual therapy to children, teenagers, adults as well as the elderly while also providing parenting counseling. He works synthetically by combining various therapeutic approaches and techniques (Person-centered, Psychodynamic, Existential, CBT) depending on the need of the patient while at the same time conducting assessments. Indicatively, it deals with anxiety disorders, mood disorders, personality disorders, grief, anger, critical “self”, relational difficulties.
Driven by absolute respect and acceptance, Fotis is present with the aim of creating a therapeutic relationship, where combined with evidence based practices will create a restorative experience for the individual.
“No road ends until you start walking it”
Therapy language: English 🇺🇸 / Greek
CATHERINE KAKOULAKIS, MA
Catherine (Katerina) Kakoulakis is a Licensed Educational/School Psychologist in Cyprus and Greece, and she is also working towards becoming a certified Systemic/Family Psychotherapist. During her bachelor’s degree studies in psychology at the University of Nicosia, she interned at the Mental Health Center of Rethymnon in Crete, the “Mentor” Youth Guidance Program and the “Hope for Children” CRC Policy Center. She obtained her Master’s Degree in Educational/School and Applied Child Psychology from the University of Cyprus. She completed her supervised clinical practice at the Department of Educational Psychology of the Ministry of Education, Sports and Youth, where she provided mental health services to schools and was trained in the use of internationally certified psychometric tools (WISC-V, WPPSI-III, Raven’s Matrices, ASEBA). Moreover, she received training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as well as in the assessment of gifted children. Her research thesis during her postgraduate studies examined how psychological flexibility serves as a mediator of body image acceptance in a multi-user virtual reality early intervention for young women at high risk for eating disorders. Currently, she works with children, adolescents and parents/families, using a variety of approaches (Person-Centered, Systemic, CBT, ACT, Existential, Solution-Focused, Positive Psychology). Some indicative areas of her training and expertise are: ADHD, learning and language difficulties, autism spectrum, play therapy, childhood trauma, anxiety/panic attacks, depression/mood-related issues, attachment, boundary/discipline issues, resilience/self-esteem, parent counseling, multiculturalism, adjustment in school, and effective communication.
“The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.” – Carl Rogers
Therapy language: English / Greek
ADMISSIONS TEAM
ANASTASIA GIORGOUDI, BS
Anastasia Giorgoudi works at Altius Mind Institute as an operational manager. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology (with a minor in Behavioral Neuroscience) from Nova Southeastern University in the United States of America. She worked as a research assistant in the university psychology labs focusing on topics on marriage and divorce, parenting, cognition and learning. In her undergraduate internship, she worked with the population of children and adolescents in school settings in Florida, USA. Currently, she is enrolled in the Master of Science degree program in Clinical Psychology at the University of Nicosia in Cyprus. She is trained in the assessment and diagnosis of ADHD in children, adolescents and adults. She is also trained in the administration of the assessments WAIS-IV, WISC-V and Raven’s Educational.
“Let’s Invest in our Mental Health”.
Language: English / Greek
DIMITRA AIGINITI, BS
Dimitra Aiginiti works at Altius Mind Institute as an operational manager. She obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the European University of Cyprus. She completed her internship at the Cyprus Family Planning Association, where she was trained in the issues of sexual and reproductive health and individuals’ sexual rights with involvement in campaigns to prevent individuals’ rights. She is an active volunteer at the Hellenic Association of Positive Voice where she supports individuals suffering from HIV, as well as providing psychosocial support intervention for children from vulnerable social groups. She is currently enrolled in the Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling program at the Center for Personal Development and Psychotherapy (KE.P.A.PSY.) in Cyprus.
“Small steps can lead to big progress in mental health”.
Language: English / Greek
DOROTHEOS CHARALAMBOUS, BS
Dorotheos Charalambous works at Altius Mind Institute as an operational assistant manager. He obtained his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom. During his degree, he studied modules like Neuroscience of Mental Health and Topics in Clinical Psychology, which developed his interest in neuropsychology. For his dissertation, he researched the effects of stimulating the left posterior parietal cortex on working memory using transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS). Dorotheos is interested in the connections between neuroscience and psychology, especially in neurorehabilitation and cognitive psychology. He plans to continue his studies in clinical neuropsychology to learn more about brain-behavior relationships and psychological assessments.
“Change your brain, change your life.” – Wayne Dyer
Language: English / Greek
EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
SAVINA IOANNOU, RP (CRPO-Q), DTATI, BFA
Savina Ioannou is a Registered Psychotherapist (Q) with the CRPO (College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario), an Art Therapist and an Artist. She has received a Bachelor’s degree of Fine Arts in Drawing & Painting from OCAD U (Ontario College of Art and Design University, 2013) and her Master’s level certification in Art Therapy from TATI (Toronto Art Therapy Institute, 2021). Savina is a professional member of the Art Therapist and Members Society in Cyprus (CARTA), the Canadian Art Therapy Association (CATA) and the Ontario Art Therapy Association (OATA). Savina has completed her placement in various settings in Toronto, Canada such as; The Lighthouse Centre, which is a multicultural outreach and community center for immigrants and refugees, at the Youthdale Treatment Centre in the Acute Support Unit (ASU), providing art therapy to youth who are experiencing acute behavioral, emotional and/or cognitive challenges, at Good Shepherd Ministries as part of the DARE program with men recovering from addictions, at Sistering – an organization for marginalized and low-income women, providing group art therapy in an Open Studio setting, at the Hellenic Home for Seniors providing art therapy to seniors in long-term care, the Dorothy Ley Hospice working with individuals in palliative care, as well as providing art therapy groups for the newly bereaved and the TATI online Art Therapy Clinic for individuals going through life transitions and challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Currently, Savina is offering individual and group art therapy sessions as well as art therapy workshops at Altius Mind using an anti-oppressive, client-centered, trauma-informed approach to therapy. Some areas of expertise are: trauma, grief and loss, depression, anxiety, addictions, chronic illness, dementia, post-stroke, stress, burnout, self-care, personal growth, life-transitions, self-esteem and resilience building.
“Trust the process”
Language: English / Greek
JULIE MICHAEL (INTERN)
Julie Michael is a BSc Psychology student at the University of Nicosia, specializing in Clinical and Counselling Psychology and she aims to obtain an MSc in Clinical Psychology. Julie actively volunteers with Cyprus Samaritans, providing emotional support to individuals in distress over the phone, email and in person. Additionally, she volunteers at multiple organizations like SPAVO, Hope for Children and Generation for Change CY.
“You can’t stop the waves, but you can learn to surf”
Language: English / Greek