My name is Fili Dianellou (she/her) and I was born and raised in Greece. I have been working as a therapist in the Netherlands since 2019 and I am Amsterdam-based since 2021. I hold a Master in Clinical Psychology (Leiden University, Netherlands) , a Bachelor in Psychology (Aristotle University, Greece) and a Diploma in dance. Since 2019, I've been a trainee Gestalt Psychotherapist. Gestalt therapy appealed to me mainly thanks to its overall trust in people’s ability to create or reclaim a meaningful life. What I love about my job is the various encounters and the limitless possibilities that emerge when one meets one. I have experience working with expats of various nationalities and multi-ethnic (refugee) groups, which has nurtured my interest in the interplay between culture and psychological adjustment. I’ve worked at Leiden University (teaching position) and at Amsterdam University College (Student life officer). Nonetheless, psychotherapeutic work is what I passionately want to pursue. For more click here: https://www.filitherapy.nl/who-am-i
My therapeutic work is heavily based on the Gestalt Therapy Approach: a relational, phenomenological, existential, and holistic approach to human nature and consequently, to therapy. The central objective of Gestalt therapy is for the person to become more aware of their experience, acknowledge their potential to make choices and change the way they interact with their surroundings. In Gestalt therapy growth and change emerge organically when one finds the courage to face themselves and take ownership of their choices.
Specifically, in our work together we’ll be focusing on the “what” and “how” of the present moment. We’ll explore your personal history, your needs, your fears, and your hopes. We’ll try to engender relational experiences conducive to leading a better life. One of the main reasons I opted for this approach is the belief in humans’ capacity to live better through choosing differently.
As a therapist, I aspire to be a present, active listener that will affirm your experience with empathy and acceptance. I hope to be able to welcome and create space even for the most unwanted parts of my clients’ selves. I strive for safety, hoping to foster genuine and spontaneous interaction. What gives me happiness and fulfillment in my job is seeing my clients ascribing meaning to their experiences, accomplishing their goals, and becoming active agents in their lives.