Paidiko Ergastiri, Acharnes
Collaboration as a psychologist with a special education centre.
Charoula Smyrou, MSc, MSW
The person comes first.
I am a licensed psychologist in Greece and a Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) in New York. I have worked in mental health since 2019, beginning in New York, and have maintained a private practice in Greece since 2023. My professional experience includes work with adults, adolescents and children.
I currently collaborate with “Paidiko Ergastiri”, a special education centre in Acharnes. My experience also includes a previous collaboration with a specialist therapy centre, providing psychological support to children and adolescents.
My approach is integrative and grounded in a person-centred perspective. I value careful listening, a collaborative therapeutic relationship and respect for each person’s pace. Depending on individual needs, our work may draw on cognitive and behavioural approaches, therapeutic writing and expressive arts.
My experience in New York includes Integrity Social Work Services, Family Service League and Libertas Center for Human Rights, with individual and group support, multidisciplinary teamwork and support for immigrants and people seeking asylum.
I offer sessions in both Greek and English.
Professional licences
- Licensed Psychologist, Greece — October 2023, protocol no. 1287513.
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW), New York.
Additional training & certificates
- 2022 · Registered Behavior Technician Training, 40 hours — Autism Partnership Foundation.
- 2020 · COVID-19 Contact Tracing — Johns Hopkins University.
- 2019 · SBIRT for Health and Behavioral Health Professionals — Adelphi University.
- 2019 · Reporting Child Abuse — The University of the State of New York.
- 2019 · Introduction to Wellness Recovery Action Planning (WRAP), Seminar 1 — Copeland Center for Wellness and Recovery.
Professional experience
View roles and collaborations
Private practice, Greece
Individual psychological support sessions.
Integrity Social Work Services, New York
Remote individual counselling for adults.
Granazi
Individual counselling for children and adolescents.
The Online Virtual Counselors
Therapist, contract role.
Family Service League, New York
Individual and group interventions, multidisciplinary teamwork and support planning.
Libertas Center for Human Rights, Elmhurst Hospital
Strengths-based counselling and trauma-informed support under clinical supervision.
Commonpoint Queens — social work internship
Individual and group counselling for students, with support for educational and career goals.
Adelphi University
Graduate Research Assistant.
Creedmoor Psychiatric Center — social work internship
Individual and group therapeutic interventions with adults.
Goodwill Industries of Greater New York & Northern New Jersey
Program Specialist: individual and group support for adults with mental health difficulties.
Education, community work & volunteering
- 2016–2019: Greek language teacher, Greek Afternoon School Stephen and Areti Tserpelis, New York.
- 2014–2015: Psychoeducational programmes for children aged 3–11, Quality Net Foundation / The Experiential School, including emotion regulation, communication and problem-solving.
- Summer 2014: Drama teacher at Camp Asteria, facilitating social skills groups for children and adolescents with developmental disabilities.
- March–May 2014: Counselling internship at IASIS NGO, Mellon shelter, supporting unaccompanied refugee children and adolescents.
- March–April 2013: Volunteer counsellor at EDRA NGO, supporting adults with mental health difficulties.
- November 2009–June 2010: Volunteer drama teacher at the Support Centre for Children and Family, with educational activities for Roma children and adolescents.
Education and therapeutic training
- Master of Social Work (MSW) — Adelphi University, New York, 2021.
- MSc in Educational Psychology — University of Nicosia.
- Postgraduate Certificate in Expressive Arts — Adelphi University, New York, 2022–2023.
- Training in Integrative Psychotherapy — Athens Synthesis Centre, ongoing.
- Diploma in Integrative Counselling — Athens Synthesis Centre, COSCA-accredited.
- Training in Therapeutic Writing — Ινστιτούτο Ψυχικής Έκφρασης, 2026.
- TEAM-CBT, Level 1 — Feeling Good Institute, March 2024.
- BSc in Psychology — The Open University, UK.
Theatre and creative expression
- 2000–2002: Drama studies at “Archi”, Nelly Karra’s School of Dramatic Art.
- 2002–2010: Actress in theatre and television.
- 2008: Four-month training course in theatre play.
- 2008–2010: Theatre play teacher in Marousi.
- 2010: Theatre play teacher in Kapandriti.
- 2015: Facilitator of psychoeducational programmes at “The Experiential School”.
Continuing education and volunteering
I have attended numerous seminars in expressive arts therapies and psychotherapy approaches. My background also includes volunteering in mental health settings in Greece and New York.