My Education and Experience
When you choose a psychologist, you entrust them with something precious — your soul, your pain, your story. That's why it matters that the professional has not only experience but also serious, comprehensive training.
My education represents over 25 years of continuous professional development. Ten years of foundational study: Russian psychological school (Rostov-on-Don State University, RSU, now SFU, honors degree) and Western applied psychology (American College of Greece, GPA 3.98 out of 4.0). Alongside this formal education — twenty years of ongoing practice and continuous deepening: existential psychotherapy, palliative care, theology, virtue-oriented psychology.
I am a European licensed psychologist holding a state license to practice as a professional psychologist in Greece — a document confirming that my qualifications meet European standards.
Working with me means collaborating with a professional who:
✓ Has completed serious, multi-year training
✓ Is officially recognized by a European state
✓ Adheres to unwavering professional ethics
✓ Continues learning and developing throughout life
Below are the documents that define the essence of my work. This is not an exhaustive list: over the years of practice, I've completed numerous seminars, trainings, and professional development courses. This page presents only the foundational documents — the foundation, not the super-structure — what shapes the method and ensures depth of engagement in the therapeutic process.
My education represents over 25 years of continuous professional development. Ten years of foundational study: Russian psychological school (Rostov-on-Don State University, RSU, now SFU, honors degree) and Western applied psychology (American College of Greece, GPA 3.98 out of 4.0). Alongside this formal education — twenty years of ongoing practice and continuous deepening: existential psychotherapy, palliative care, theology, virtue-oriented psychology.
I am a European licensed psychologist holding a state license to practice as a professional psychologist in Greece — a document confirming that my qualifications meet European standards.
Working with me means collaborating with a professional who:
✓ Has completed serious, multi-year training
✓ Is officially recognized by a European state
✓ Adheres to unwavering professional ethics
✓ Continues learning and developing throughout life
Below are the documents that define the essence of my work. This is not an exhaustive list: over the years of practice, I've completed numerous seminars, trainings, and professional development courses. This page presents only the foundational documents — the foundation, not the super-structure — what shapes the method and ensures depth of engagement in the therapeutic process.
Official European License
The state license to practice as a professional psychologist in Greece is an official document issued by health authorities after rigorous qualification verification.
What does a European psychologist's license mean?
It confirms that qualifications meet European standards, issued after:
What this means for the client:
The license confirms that the state recognizes the professional's qualifications as sufficient for working with people's mental health. A license is more than a formality. It means trust.
What does a European psychologist's license mean?
It confirms that qualifications meet European standards, issued after:
- Recognition of diploma by international bodies
- Confirmation of practical experience
- Compliance with European legislation requirements
- Completion of legalization procedures
What this means for the client:
- Seriousness of approach: the professional has been vetted by a European state
- Practice meets EU requirements
- Professional ethics: adherence to strict ethical standards
- Transparency: qualifications can be verified in state registries
The license confirms that the state recognizes the professional's qualifications as sufficient for working with people's mental health. A license is more than a formality. It means trust.
Integration of Russian and Western Psychology
My education combines two powerful psychological schools: Russian and American. This is not a coincidence but a conscious choice. True help for a client emerges when the depth of Russian psychology unites with the structured approach of Western tradition.
Master's Degree at RSU (Russia): Fundamental Psychology
Rostov-on-Don State University (now SFU), Department of Psychology
Years of study: 1992–1998
Honors Degree | Specialization: Psychologist, Psychology Teacher
Our university psychological education provides something not always found in Western tradition — depth of understanding a person not as a set of symptoms but as a whole being with a unique history, soul, and inner world.
What Russian school provides:
This education cultivates a perspective capable of seeing behind a symptom — a person, behind a problem — a destiny, behind suffering — a soul's journey.
Master's Degree at RSU (Russia): Fundamental Psychology
Rostov-on-Don State University (now SFU), Department of Psychology
Years of study: 1992–1998
Honors Degree | Specialization: Psychologist, Psychology Teacher
Our university psychological education provides something not always found in Western tradition — depth of understanding a person not as a set of symptoms but as a whole being with a unique history, soul, and inner world.
What Russian school provides:
- Deep understanding of personality structure
- Broad professional erudition, ability to know and understand beyond "narrow specialization"
- Attention to a person's inner world (not only behavior)
- Traditions of activity approach and cultural-historical psychology (Vygotsky, Rubinshtein, Leontiev)
This education cultivates a perspective capable of seeing behind a symptom — a person, behind a problem — a destiny, behind suffering — a soul's journey.
Master's Degree at American College (USA): Applied Psychology
Years of study: 2010–2013
GPA: 3.98 out of 4.0 — nearly perfect
The decision to pursue education in an American graduate program was connected to understanding: not only foundational knowledge is necessary but also serious practical preparation (skills and working tools).
What Western school provides:
Western psychotherapy provides method specificity — clear steps, proven techniques, measurable outcomes.
Years of study: 2010–2013
GPA: 3.98 out of 4.0 — nearly perfect
The decision to pursue education in an American graduate program was connected to understanding: not only foundational knowledge is necessary but also serious practical preparation (skills and working tools).
What Western school provides:
- Evidence-based psychotherapy methods
- Structured approaches to therapy for trauma, anxiety, panic attacks, depression, and other emotional and personality disorders
- Structured short-term approaches
- Focus on measurable results
Western psychotherapy provides method specificity — clear steps, proven techniques, measurable outcomes.
Integration of Two Schools
When you decide to work with me, you're turning to a professional who unites both directions in their work:
This combination allows me to conduct comprehensive therapy for anxiety, panic attacks, depression, emotional burnout, identity crisis in emigration, search for meaning, fear of true intimacy, attachment disorders, emotional dependency, symbiosis with parents or partners, abusive relationships, loss and grief, psychological trauma, adaptation in emigration.
A person receives not only relief from what hurts but also understanding of the roots, the possibility to change relationships with oneself and others.
- The depth of Russian psychology, which understands the human soul
- The structure of Western school, which provides concrete tools
This combination allows me to conduct comprehensive therapy for anxiety, panic attacks, depression, emotional burnout, identity crisis in emigration, search for meaning, fear of true intimacy, attachment disorders, emotional dependency, symbiosis with parents or partners, abusive relationships, loss and grief, psychological trauma, adaptation in emigration.
A person receives not only relief from what hurts but also understanding of the roots, the possibility to change relationships with oneself and others.
Further Training and Specializations
Psychology is a living science that constantly evolves. For a helping practitioner, it's important to learn throughout life in order to be a worthy assistant to one's clients.
St. Petersburg Institute of Theology and Philosophy
Continuing Education Program | 520 hours
I completed training in the course "Christian Theology in the Context of Russian and World Culture." The integration of psychology and spirituality is not a trendy topic but a deep necessity. Many people in emigration experience not only psychological but also existential, spiritual crises. Theological education helps in working with questions of meaning, faith, loss, and finding oneself on a spiritual level.
St. Petersburg Institute of Theology and Philosophy
Continuing Education Program | 520 hours
I completed training in the course "Christian Theology in the Context of Russian and World Culture." The integration of psychology and spirituality is not a trendy topic but a deep necessity. Many people in emigration experience not only psychological but also existential, spiritual crises. Theological education helps in working with questions of meaning, faith, loss, and finding oneself on a spiritual level.
Existential Psychotherapy
I completed specialization in the existential approach at two leading organizations.
GLE International (Moscow, 2023)
Program: "Introduction to Existential Analysis by Alfried Längle"
GLE International (Moscow, 2023)
Program: "Introduction to Existential Analysis by Alfried Längle"
AEAPP (Moscow, 2019)
Program: "Method of Discovering Personal Values: Application in Counseling and Psychotherapy"
Program: "Method of Discovering Personal Values: Application in Counseling and Psychotherapy"
The existential approach works with fundamental questions of human existence: life's meaning, freedom and responsibility, loneliness, losses. This direction is especially relevant for people in emigration experiencing identity crisis, loss of familiar supports, the need to answer anew the question "who am I?"
Existential psychotherapy helps not to "get rid of the problem" but to find meaning in it — to transform a trap into a springboard. When a person understands why they're going through difficulties, pain becomes bearable, and crisis transforms into an opportunity for growth.
Existential psychotherapy helps not to "get rid of the problem" but to find meaning in it — to transform a trap into a springboard. When a person understands why they're going through difficulties, pain becomes bearable, and crisis transforms into an opportunity for growth.
Virtue-Oriented and Orthodox Psychology
I completed specialization in two programs.
Patriarchal Center for Spiritual Development (Moscow, 2023)
Course: "Foundations of Orthodox Worldview"
Patriarchal Center for Spiritual Development (Moscow, 2023)
Course: "Foundations of Orthodox Worldview"
Center "Podvizhnik" (Yekaterinburg, 2023)
Program: "Orthodox-Oriented Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice"
Program: "Orthodox-Oriented Psychotherapy: Theory and Practice"
Working with moral conflicts, values, and conscience is a separate direction in psychological work. When a person lives contrary to their deep values, an intrapersonal conflict arises that cannot be resolved only by rational methods. It requires turning to the spiritual dimension of personality.
For Orthodox Christians, this creates the possibility to speak calmly and confidently about faith in consultations as part of their life. For representatives of other faiths or non-believers — this is respect for their own search for meaning and moral supports.
For Orthodox Christians, this creates the possibility to speak calmly and confidently about faith in consultations as part of their life. For representatives of other faiths or non-believers — this is respect for their own search for meaning and moral supports.
My Professional Journey
I think you'll agree: serious education is the foundation. But a true professional is formed through experience. Over more than twenty years of work, I've traveled the path from volunteer to mature psychologist with a European license.
Volunteering: European Network of Women (Athens)
Work with victims of sexual slavery, human trafficking, and domestic violence
Volunteer service on the SOS helpline (providing emergency assistance) largely shaped me as a professional. There I worked with women who had survived unimaginable suffering. At that time came a deep understanding: it's important not just to listen but to be present in another person's pain without trying to "fix" it. This is the foundation of a trauma-informed approach, which is applied in such cases alongside other tools.
Volunteer service on the SOS helpline (providing emergency assistance) largely shaped me as a professional. There I worked with women who had survived unimaginable suffering. At that time came a deep understanding: it's important not just to listen but to be present in another person's pain without trying to "fix" it. This is the foundation of a trauma-informed approach, which is applied in such cases alongside other tools.
Palliative Care Center "Galilee" (Athens)
Psychological support for seriously ill people and their families
Volunteer service at Greece's first hospice became a true school of existential psychology for me. When a person faces death, all psychological games end. Only real questions remain: "Who am I?", "Why did I live?", "What will I leave behind?". This work taught me to help people find meaning even in the most difficult circumstances.
Volunteer service at Greece's first hospice became a true school of existential psychology for me. When a person faces death, all psychological games end. Only real questions remain: "Who am I?", "Why did I live?", "What will I leave behind?". This work taught me to help people find meaning even in the most difficult circumstances.
Consultations at the Russian Consulate (Athens)
Psychological assistance to compatriots abroad
Here I first encountered themes that became the foundation of my specialization: adaptation in emigration, identity crisis, loss of roots, searching for oneself between two worlds.
Here I first encountered themes that became the foundation of my specialization: adaptation in emigration, identity crisis, loss of roots, searching for oneself between two worlds.
Private Practice (2008 — present)
Individual online consultations for Russian-speaking clients and Russian expats worldwide
Over these years, thousands of consultations have been conducted. The online format of work has allowed me to work with people of different cultures, religions, ages, and social statuses. Each story is unique, and each has become part of my professional journey, a contribution to me as a person and professional.
Over these years, thousands of consultations have been conducted. The online format of work has allowed me to work with people of different cultures, religions, ages, and social statuses. Each story is unique, and each has become part of my professional journey, a contribution to me as a person and professional.
Why This Matters to You
You might ask: "Why do I need to know all this? Does a diploma make a psychologist a good professional?"
No, a diploma by itself doesn't do that. But here's what serious, multi-year training provides:
Depth of Understanding
Worthy education allows seeing a person holistically: not only symptoms (anxiety, depression) but also their roots — where they came from, what role they play in your life, what meaning they carry.
Safety of Process
License and ethical standards mean you are protected. The professional bears responsibility for therapy quality before the state and professional community. Your confidentiality, your boundaries, your autonomy — not just words but a professional code.
Effectiveness
Over years of practice, it becomes clear what truly helps people and what doesn't. This allows relying on proven methods rather than searching for answers blindly.
Holistic Approach
Integration of Russian depth, Western structure, existential search for meaning, and spiritual dimension — not eclecticism but a whole method of working with all levels of human experience.
Choosing a psychologist, you're choosing not just a person for conversation but a professional who bears responsibility for the quality and safety of this process. Serious education and many years of experience — that's the foundation allowing this responsibility to be carried with dignity.
No, a diploma by itself doesn't do that. But here's what serious, multi-year training provides:
Depth of Understanding
Worthy education allows seeing a person holistically: not only symptoms (anxiety, depression) but also their roots — where they came from, what role they play in your life, what meaning they carry.
Safety of Process
License and ethical standards mean you are protected. The professional bears responsibility for therapy quality before the state and professional community. Your confidentiality, your boundaries, your autonomy — not just words but a professional code.
Effectiveness
Over years of practice, it becomes clear what truly helps people and what doesn't. This allows relying on proven methods rather than searching for answers blindly.
Holistic Approach
Integration of Russian depth, Western structure, existential search for meaning, and spiritual dimension — not eclecticism but a whole method of working with all levels of human experience.
Choosing a psychologist, you're choosing not just a person for conversation but a professional who bears responsibility for the quality and safety of this process. Serious education and many years of experience — that's the foundation allowing this responsibility to be carried with dignity.
The first consultation
The first session — almost an hour and a half of deep and confidential conversation about what matters to you. Enough time to feel and understand whether we're right for each other. During this meeting, we'll outline possible directions for collaboration and map out working vectors.
Cost: 80 euros | Format: Online (Google Meet, Zoom, Teams, Yandex Telemost, WhatsApp, Viber)
Consultation languages: Russian and English.
Most often we speak Russian. If you grew up or have lived in emigration for a long time and English has become more comfortable — we'll find a common language too. As a bilingual therapist with fluency in both Russian and English, I create a space where you can express yourself in the language that feels most natural to you.
Confidential and anonymous.
No one will know about our conversation. You can use a pseudonym if you wish.
Cost: 80 euros | Format: Online (Google Meet, Zoom, Teams, Yandex Telemost, WhatsApp, Viber)
Consultation languages: Russian and English.
Most often we speak Russian. If you grew up or have lived in emigration for a long time and English has become more comfortable — we'll find a common language too. As a bilingual therapist with fluency in both Russian and English, I create a space where you can express yourself in the language that feels most natural to you.
Confidential and anonymous.
No one will know about our conversation. You can use a pseudonym if you wish.
