Zoi Theofilakou

What is a symptom? Every symptom that is experienced as an obstacle, serves the preservation of an organismic equilibrium in an inadvertent manner. Shedding light on the unintentional pathway of the symptom formation can enhance the sense of agency in its respect and reveal new layers of potential self-growth. Polarities - Unconscious background. The expansion of awareness around the functionality of behaviors and patterns, that are experienced as untoward, slowly reveals the rigidity of ideas lying behind them. Rigid ideas that come as answers to the questions "who am I?" "who is the other?" promote and recycle a fixed gestalt of the ongoing experience of self and other, restraining it to polarized expressions. Here and now, past and future. A safe grounding of the self in the current situation, promotes deeper insights regarding the past, present and future. Aware presence is a powerful means to self-actualization, self-determination and active contribution to what lies beyond the self. Inter-subjectivity & I-Thou contact. Inter-subjectivity is the "third party" where growth is enabled. Experimentation - Play Verbal, as well as non-verbal (symbolical/artistic) methodology to explore and create nuances. Change through exploration and acceptance The exploration, understanding and finally acceptance of what is now present, for what it is and how it is holds the key to the desired changes.

2014 - cur. Psychologist, Gestalt therapist in Private Practice 2018 - 19 Psychologist at International Rescue Committee - Mental Health & Psychosocial Support Program in Lesvos 2016 - 17 Psychologist at International Organisation for Migration - Mobile & Camp Protection Team 2015 - 16 Psychologist at Inter-municipal Network of Healthy Cities – Social Poverty Response Structures 2015 - 16 Workshop coordinator, facilitator at Project for Children Human Rights’ Protection, NGO Antirropon 2012 - 13 Psychologist at Project: “In action” - Health promotion to primary students, high school students and adult athletes 2009 - 10 Psychologist at "ARSIS" Shelter for the Temporary Stay of abused and/or neglected Minors Voluntary 2015 - 16 Workshop coordinator, facilitator at Festival “Break the Chain” – Human trafficking & Minor migrants “on the road”, NGO Antirropon 2012 - 15 Psychologist, trainee in Gestalt therapy at Communal Mental Health Care Center in Vyronas, Athens (in cooperation with the Kapodistriako University of Athens) 2014 - 15 Psychologist, trainee in Gestalt therapy at Nursing Home "Estia Konstanople" 2014 - 15 Coordinator, facilitator of an experiential workshop for adults: “Experiencing the void, in and between” 2013 - 14 Psychologist, trainee in Gestalt therapy at Support and self-awareness group: “Relating to Myself and Others”, Gestalt Foundation & EN.E.O.N. Association (Union of Greek Women for Family and Youth) 2012 Psychologist at Boarding House for chronic psychotic patients, Kallipolis – NGO metaVASIS 2011 Psychologist at Sanatorium for Chronic Diseases, Melissia sector, Athens

2021 - Internationale Psychoanalytische Universität Berlin (ongoing) 2020 – “Step Ahead” Expressive Arts in Psychotherapy 2019 – Attachment theory and complex PTSD (IRC) 2018 – Supporting men & survivors of LGBTQ violence (IRC) 2018 – Psycho-social M.E.T.S. method of support for trauma survivors 2017 – Dance Movement Therapy 2015 – Gestalt Foundation – Psychotherapy and Training Center 2012 – Clinical Psychopathology 2011 – Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Faculty of Philosophy, School of Psychology, Department of Social and Clinical Psychology