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About Me

Dr. Eleftheria Koutsonika

Expat Psychologist

My name is Dr. Eleftheria Koutsonika (she/her) and I am an HCPC (UK) - registered Counselling Psychologist. Originally from Greece, I have spent the several years living, studying, and working abroad. Having navigated the complexities of being an expatriate, I am intimately familiar with the "in-between" feeling, and the profound, often quiet challenges of building a life and an identity from scratch in a new country.​

 

My journey into the field of psychology began with a deep curiosity about the human experience, leading me through years of rigorous academic and clinical training. After completing my Bachelor’s in Psychology in the Netherlands, I went on to pursue further postgraduate training, eventually leading me to the United Kingdom, where I completed my Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DCounsPsych). This doctoral training provided me with a dual foundation in Person-Centred Therapy and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which I have since expanded through specialized training in Trauma-Focused CBT, Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) and Grief Counselling.

 

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Dr. Eleftheria Koutsonika, an HCPC Counselling Psychologist specializing in trauma-informed and culturally sensitive therapy
Experience

Professional Journey

Over the years, I have worked across the UK’s public health sector (NHS), as well as in private practice and third sector. This has allowed me to work with people across the lifespan, from supporting children and adolescents to working with adults navigating mental health challenges and life transitions. 

 

My areas of expertise include grief, trauma, and perinatal mental health, having supported women through the emotional complexities of the pre- and postnatal periods, delivering both individual and group therapy for loss, and providing specialized care for sexual and birth trauma. My mission is to offer a safe, compassionate space for individuals to process life’s most vulnerable transitions.

 

My doctoral research further deepened my commitment to specialized care, focusing on the cultural adaptation of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for refugees and asylum seekers who have experienced sexual trauma, a project that solidified my commitment to trauma-informed, culturally sensitive care.​​​​

Sunlit Group Hug

At the core of my practice is a motivation rooted in the belief that every person deserves dignity, understanding, and the right to accessible and culturally resonant support and healthcare.

Education & Accreditation

Professional Registrations & Affiliations

  • Counselling Psychologist registered with Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (UK) - Registration number: PYL046392 (you can check the register here: https://www.hcpc-uk.org/check-the-register/)

  • International Affiliate, American Psychological Association (APA) - Member Number: C2605793138

Education & Training

  • Doctorate in Counselling Psychology (DCounPsy), York St John University, United Kingdom

  • Trained in Person Centred Therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Trauma-focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) and Grief Counselling​

  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Counselling Skills, Oxbridge Learning

  • ​BSc Psychology, Maastricht University, Netherlands

Courses & Certifications

  • Training for Bereavement Counselling with Dr. John Wilson, PhD, Onlinevents

  • Autism Awareness and Inclusive Practices, Alison

  • Trauma-Focused CBT, for all ages, The Association for Psychological Therapies (APT)

  • Compassion Focused Therapy, The Association for Psychological Therapies (APT)

  • Safeguarding Adults and Children Level 3, TEWV

  • Understanding Autism Level 2, TEWV

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