Nikolaos Malafekas

I am Nikolaos, a registered psychologist and member of the Dutch Institute of Psychologists(NIP) with an international educational background. Originally from Greece, I have lived in Germany, the United States, and currently the Netherlands. My interest in psychology developed during my years as a professional basketball player, where I experienced firsthand how pressure, stress, and performance demands can affect mental health and overall functioning. These experiences motivated me to pursue psychology in order to better understand psychological processes and to support others facing similar challenges. I began my academic training in the United States, completing a bachelor’s degree in Psychology at the University of California, Irvine. I later continued my education in Europe, completing a Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Erasmus University Rotterdam in the Netherlands. I view therapy as a collaborative process in which individuals are given space to be heard and understood, while also being supported and appropriately guided. In my work, I value a balanced approach that integrates psychodynamic therapy with evidence-based methods such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT). I believe there is no single approach that fits everyone, and that psychological care should always be tailored to the individual.