Question 1

I have never been in therapy before. What should I expect?

Accepted Answer

Each human being is unique. As a result, my approach to therapy takes into account your life circumstances and goals. In general, our sessions revolve around your personal or work life, your relationships with other people, important or traumatic past experiences that still have a grasp on your present, thoughts and ideas, dreams. At this point, I want to highlight the fact that, as a therapist, I do not go about digging up the past, unless there is good reason and you feel ready to do so.
 
Also, I want you to know that psychotherapy is a two-way process. Therefore, its effectiveness does not depend only on my own dedication and effort. We will need to work together, both inside and outside of our sessions.

Question 2

How long do I need to stay in therapy for?

Accepted Answer

It depends. Depending on your needs and the goals you have set for yourself, the duration of your psychotherapeutic journey can vary from a few weeks to a few months or even years, especially if you want to work on your personal development in the long term. However, I must say that consistency and commitment is often more important than frequency. Personally, I recommend a frequency of one session per week.

Question 3

How can I benefit from psychotherapy?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the particular circumstances, needs and goals you have set for yourself. Psychotherapy has many benefits, regardless of whether you are faced with challenging situations, problems and symptoms, or not. My role is to listen carefully and work with you, in order to discover the tools, skills and ways you can use to live your life and achieve your goals. It is also my responsibility to offer you insights and alternative points of view, which you may not have had the opportunity to consider.
In general, psychotherapy is not a friendly chat, where we discuss how your day or week went. For this kind of conversation, friends and family can typically offer valuable guidance and advice. Psychotherapy uses accumulated knowledge, experience, theory and research to help you better understand yourself and the world around you. For example:
To determine your goals and dreams
To better understand who you are
To improve your relationships in your personal life or at work
To learn to manage whatever brought you to psychotherapy
Identify what prevents you from being yourself and how to overcome those obstacles
Improve your confidence and self-esteem.
Of course, therapy cannot change your life without you making an effort. It is important to be prepared to use the contents and insights of the therapeutic process in your daily life.

Question 4

How long is each session?

Accepted Answer

50 minutes

Question 5

What is your rate?

Accepted Answer

My rate, for a 50-minute session, is 70 Euro.

Question 6

Do you offer online sessions?

Accepted Answer

Yes! I typically suggest we do our sessions through Zoom, which is considered to be one of the safest online meeting platforms.

Question 7

How can I come to your office?

Accepted Answer

My office is located at 34 Solioti in Ampelokipoi, Athens (P.O. 115 22), which is within walking distance from the metro station 'Ampelokipoi'. Also, within walking distance are the bus stops 230, A7, B5, 813, 046 (bus lines) and 14, 18, 19, 19B (trolley lines).

From around 10:00 until 18:00 it is relatively easy to find unrestricted parking within walking distance from Solioti Str. Also, my office is outside of the Congestion Zone (Daktylios).

Question 8

What about confidentiality?

Accepted Answer

In the course of therapy, you may wish to share confidential information or talk about things that you have never shared with anyone. Psychotherapy is a safe space, where you can open up and talk about whatever concerns you, without the fear and anxiety of your therapist breaking confidentiality.
Whatever you decide to share with me remains completely confidential. Besides the fact that I am bound by the laws regulating my profession as a psychologist (Law 991/79, Article 9), confidentiality is amongst my core values as a professional and as a human being. 
The following exceptions apply:
As part of my continuous professional development and education, I am supervised by two Jungian Analysts. As part of my supervision, I discuss information obtained during our sessions, always ensuring your anonymity.
Additionally, in case I have reasonable suspicion of:
life threatening situations
child abuse (neglect, physical or sexual abuse) by my client,
In such cases, I am obliged to first make an attempt to discuss the matter with you and, in case this is not possible, notify the authorities.

Vasilis Apostolou
Psychologist, MSc - Ampelokipoi, Athens

Frequently asked questions