{"id":3173,"date":"2018-09-10T12:47:51","date_gmt":"2018-09-10T12:47:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mariagialama.com\/biography\/"},"modified":"2026-03-08T16:24:38","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T16:24:38","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/mariagialama.com\/en\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"About"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Dr. Maria Gialama<\/span><\/span><\/h2><\/header>
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DR MARIA GIALAMA<\/span>Clinical Health Psychologist

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Dr. Maria Gialama is a psychologist, psychotherapist, and researcher with doctoral and postdoctoral training in clinical health psychology and over 15 years of international experience. Her work bridges rigorous academic scholarship with compassionate clinical practice, focusing on chronic health conditions, dementia, and psychosocial care for vulnerable populations. <\/div><\/header>
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I’m Dr. Maria Gialama, a psychologist, psychotherapist, and researcher. For over 15 years, I’ve walked alongside people through some of life’s most challenging moments; chronic illness, profound loss, identity crises, life transitions and the weight of caring for those we love. I believe that even in our darkest times, making meaning and healing are possible.<\/p>\n

I specialize in clinical health psychology<\/a>, which examines how emotional and mental health connects to physical wellbeing. It’s a recognized specialization of psychology that focuses on prevention, treatment, and management of illness and disability, promoting health and psychosocial wellbeing through psychological services across diverse populations and settings. I help people understand how emotions affect physical health, and how health challenges impact mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n

I’ve spent most of my time in this complex and deeply fascinating field working with adolescents facing anxiety, trauma, suicidal ideation, and other mental health difficulties; adults dealing with chronic, neurological, or rheumatic conditions; caregivers; and people struggling to cope with significant life changes.<\/p>\n

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My approach<\/strong> blends science with compassion and is grounded in years of study, extensive professional experience, and ongoing training. It\u2019s integrative as I draw from a range of evidence-based therapies, including CBT and mindfulness-based psychotherapies, psychodynamic\/ psychoanalytic psychotherapies, person-centred approaches and lifestyle medicine, but I never force you into a single box. Every person’s story is different, and your therapy should reflect that. Together, we’ll create a safe space where you can explore, heal, and grow at your own pace. My goal is to create a space for empowerment, self-awareness, and meaningful personal growth.<\/p>\n

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``I am human, and I consider nothing human alien to me.``<\/span><\/div><\/div>
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With doctoral and postdoctoral training and international experience spanning clinical practice, psychotherapy, and research, I bring both rigor and humanness to this work. My approach is rooted in deep respect for the complexity of human experience, a belief in the possibilities of change, the value of every challenge, and the uniqueness of each story. I don’t simply treat symptoms or offer solutions; I honour the full complexity of who you are, right here, right now.<\/p>\n

I offer individual psychotherapy and counselling in Greek and English, both in-person at my private practice in Thessaloniki and online via MS Teams, Zoom, and Google Meet, with respect for each person’s needs, history, and goals.<\/p>\n

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Contact<\/div>
231 511 32 90<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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6 26th October Street, Thessaloniki<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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Email<\/div>
maria.gialama@bath.edu<\/div><\/div><\/div>
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EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE<\/span>\u0391cademic and scientific background<\/span><\/span><\/h3>
Here you can explore the academic and scientific background that guides and informs my professional practice. This section outlines the studies, specialisations, and ongoing trainings that inform the way I work and the support I offer.<\/div><\/header>
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<\/span>My Academic Background<\/span><\/div>
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My journey combines scientific knowledge, innovation, and deep understanding of human experience.<\/p>\n

My education began with my admission to the Department of Psychology<\/a> at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, where I obtained my Bachelor\u2019s honours degree in Psychology<\/strong> (2:1) and subsequently my license to practice as a Psychologist (686\/19\/01\/2009)<\/strong>. This foundational education established the groundwork for a contemporary, evidence-based, and humane approach to addressing mental health challenges. Early on, I became interested in the connection between mental health, family, and child development, an area I further explored in my thesis on the intergenerational transmission of psychopathology and the impact of parental mental illness on children’s psychosocial development, a field that bridges clinical and educational psychology.<\/p>\n

I then pursued a Master’s degree (MSc) in Health Psychology<\/a><\/strong> at the Department of Psychology, School of Humanities and Social Sciences, at the University of Bath<\/strong>, a leading UK institution with an international reputation for teaching and research excellence. There, I deepened my understanding of the role psychological factors play in health, illness, prevention, and management. My research examined patient satisfaction with neurological rehabilitation services among people with brain injuries, highlighting critical aspects of quality of care and identifying ways to enhance patient experience in the neurological rehabilitation unit at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases (RNHRD)<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Subsequently, I completed a postgraduate diploma in Psychotherapy<\/strong> at the Hellenic Institute of Psychology and Health<\/a>, strengthening my clinical and psychodiagnostic skills and gaining deeper understanding of the therapeutic needs of different people. This training enhanced my ability to therapeutically support individuals with diverse needs through a contemporary, evidence-based approach.<\/p>\n

My doctoral dissertation in Clinical Health Psychology<\/strong> at Maynooth University (Ireland)<\/a>, was conducted in collaboration with the Department of Medicine at the University of Cyprus<\/a> and supervised by Professors MacLachlan<\/a>, McVeigh<\/a> and Hadjigeorgiou<\/a>. This work marked one of the most meaningful stages of my academic journey. The research was my own initiative and was funded by a prestigious PhD scholarship in Psychology<\/strong>, which I secured through an open international competition. As an academic scholar, I developed an innovative psychotherapeutic intervention for people with dementia and their caregivers (called Mind your Next Dance- MYND), combining elements from third-generation Cognitive Behavioural therapies, based on mindfulness therapies and psychotherapy through movement and dance. This research demonstrated ways to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms, improve mood, quality of life, and daily functioning of patients, reduce caregiver burden, while simultaneously emphasizing the role of lifestyle in strengthening social relationships and mental wellbeing.<\/p>\n

At the same university, I also completed the Professional Certificate in Teaching and Learning<\/strong><\/a>,<\/strong> which enables me to create educational environments that are inclusive, participatory, and oriented toward experiential learning. As part of my training, I participated in practical activities such as creating digital educational modules and micro-teaching sessions, acquiring contemporary pedagogical skills that enhance experiential learning, active participation, and effective teaching in both digital and in-person environments. I’m also trained in the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) program<\/strong>, which I integrate into the therapeutic process to enhance emotional regulation and wellbeing. The MBSR program helps manage stress, anxiety, and daily challenges, cultivating greater awareness and less automatic reaction to difficulties. In this way, it supports a calmer, clearer, and more proactive stance toward life, improves one’s relationship with pain, and strengthens a steady practice of meditation and mindfulness.<\/p>\n

My Postdoctoral collaborations<\/strong> focus on populations with increased health and mental health needs and limited access to support services. Specifically, my postdoctoral research at the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI)<\/a> explored the experiences of people living with Sj\u00f6gren’s disease<\/a>, an often “invisible” systemic autoimmune rheumatic condition. Through the participatory Photovoice method, I identified and highlighted patients’ needs, challenges, and strengths, contributing to increased visibility and awareness around this specific condition. At the Department of Psychology, Maynooth University<\/a>, I explored the wellbeing of UK seafarers<\/a> and their families, highlighting gaps in existing health and mental health services and contributing to the development of policy recommendations aimed at their holistic and humane care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>

<\/span>My Professional Background<\/span><\/div>
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With significant experience across different areas of psychology and research in health, mental health, and their interaction, I bring to my therapeutic work a deep understanding of the complexity of human experience, mental resilience, and wellbeing. My approach is grounded in the connection between scientific knowledge, clinical experience, and human empathy, with respect for the authenticity and uniqueness of each person’s subjective experience and intercultural diversity.<\/p>\n

My professional journey spans academic, research, clinical, and counselling settings, allowing me to create new knowledge while bridging theory and practice. With sensitivity, scientific rigor, and deep respect for the needs of the people I work with, I translate what I learn from research into therapy, and issues that emerge in therapy inspire my research endeavours.<\/p>\n

Clinical, Counselling & Research Experience Across Different Settings<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have worked with and led international research and clinical programs with a range of populations experiencing complex health and mental health challenges, including:<\/p>\n