​What has been your career path and background in psychology to date?

Originally from Greece, I studied at the Universities of East London, Oxford, and Cambridge and trained in the UK's oldest Clinical Psychology program at King’s College London. I am a fully licensed clinical psychologist in the UK and have been running my own clinic for over a decade. In 2020, I moved to Canada and am now working toward membership in the College of Psychologists and Behaviour Analysts of Ontario.

My career has been shaped by unconventional decisions. I transitioned to independent practice after a few years in the UK's national health system and was among the first to embrace online therapy. At the same time, following a business plan competition win, I took the entrepreneurial leap with a digital mental health start-up. My team and I dedicated years to researching a web-based system I developed, aimed at supporting university students' mental health and academic skills.

Choosing a non-traditional career path propelled me towards growth, resilience, and innovation, resulting in a carefully developed suite of services over the years.

What inspired you to pursue a career focused on helping people facing life challenges?

My love for working with people who face challenges in life can be traced back to my father. As a child, I witnessed his compassionate visits to a nearby mental health institution, where he played games with the residents. I vividly remember how their faces would light up with joy, laughter, and even triumph. While others saw sickness and misfortune, I saw life worth embracing and celebrating. It was then that I realized the profound impact of helping people rise, and this realization instilled in me an unwavering desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.
 
What led you to develop the My Behaviour matters workshops?

The inspiration behind this series of workshops is detailed in a recent blog post I wrote. Those interested in the backstory and how it all came together can find the full narrative here.

In brief, the concept had been simmering in my mind, fueled by past professional experiences and my own journey into parenthood. It all clicked into place during my second maternity leave when I found myself mapping out the entire workshops’ structure and curriculum in one sitting. That day I transformed years of reflection into a solid plan with a clear vision!

Over the next couple of years, I finalized the content and, as a parent of two young children now aged 3 and 6, the practices and books we've explored together at home are the same ones I'm excited to share with other parents in these workshops. 

When in clinic, I typically work with adults, so this is not just another project for me; it is a labour of love aiming to share my own journey in parenthood leveraging my professional expertise with my local community here in Canada.
 
What can parents expect from these workshops, for their children?

Our eight workshops offer a dynamic 60-minute experience designed to nurture emotional development and social skills in children aged 4–8 years old. These workshops are ideal for children with typical development or mild to moderate behavioral challenges who generally function well in social and educational settings. Children will engage with core concepts such as identifying emotions and learn practical tips for communication, teamwork, problem-solving, empathy, self-regulation, and making thoughtful behavioral choices. Parents and guardians will benefit from a private Q&A session at the end of each workshop to engage with experts and will also receive a booklet to further support their children's learning at home, ensuring a comprehensive and engaging experience for everyone. Although the workshops are interconnected, each one is designed as a standalone experience, offering parents the flexibility to choose sessions that best meet their interests and schedules.

Click here to learn more!