Charoula Smyrou

Biography

I have a Bachelor’s in Psychology and two Master’s, one in Educational Psychology and one in Social Work (Adelphi University). I also have a 40-hour training in autism as a registered behavior technician and a Graduate Certificate in Expressive Art Therapy. The theories and techniques I use are Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Person-Centered Approach, Solution Focused Therapy, mindfulness interventions, and expressive art modalities (e.g music, art, and drama therapy).

Over 4 years of experience working as a therapist and group facilitator in residential settings, schools, and hospitals, mostly in New York, but also in Athens, Greece. Over the years I had the opportunity to work with people with depression, anxiety, cultural shock, PTSD, and other patients with serious mental health disorders. I have also worked with high school students, supporting them in navigating their transition to college. Specialties include: Anxiety, depression, self-esteem, trauma, stress management.

My experience in working with underprivileged populations (asylum seekers from Asia and Latin America), as well as with people with serious and persistent mental health disorders qualifies me to support people with trauma. I also have an artistic background in theater which makes me unique in helping artists navigate stressful situations, and find their inner voice. In my free time, I like doing yoga and reading books. As a therapist, I always seek to expand my knowledge and learn new ways to help my clients, through training and education.

Ideally, a client that has an interest in working on themselves, is more approachable. However, I want to stress that I don’t really have a “favorite client”. I have had resistent clients and used alternative ways to engage them (e.g expessive art modalities) that in the end was more rewarding for me as well. In general, I love human nature and believe in peoples’ power to heal themselves. I see myself as a “companion” on others’ journey, and I am passionate in supporting my clients to discover their potential, and inner strength.