About me

I am a highly qualified and experienced academic and psychotherapist specializing in both individual and couple psychodynamic psychotherapy. With extensive academic and clinical training, I bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise to my practice.

Current roles

  • Programme Director of the MSc in Early Child Development and Clinical Applications at University College London (UCL) and the Anna Freud Centre

  • Psychotherapist at Tavistock Relationships

  • Senior Researcher at Anna Freud Lab of Experiences and Adjustments in Parenthood (LEAP)

Education and Training

  • Clinical training (3-year) in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Tavistock Relationships)

  • PhD Psychodynamic Neuroscience (UCL) - fully funded by British Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Neuropsychoanalyis Association (NPSA)

  • MSc Cognitive Neuroscience (UCL) - fully funded by British Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Neuropsychoanalyis Association (NPSA)

  • MSc Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology (UCL and Anna Freud)

  • BSc (Honours) Psychology (UCL)

Publications

My research has been published in national and international journals, including Nature Scientific Reports, Current Biology and British Journal of Psychiatry Open. Selected publications relevant to psychotherapy, mental health and/or relationships include:

Pérez, A., Panagiotopoulou, E., Vourda, M. C., Pereira, M., McCrory, E. & Roberts, R. (2025). Trajectories of change in mothers’ parenting confidence and relationship with baby: A 15-month qualitative longitudinal study. BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth, 25, 709.

Munns, L. B., Crossland, A. E., McPherson, M., Panagiotopoulou, E., & Preston, C. E. J. (2024). Developing a new measure of retrospective body dissatisfaction: links to postnatal bonding and psychological well-being. Journal of reproductive and infant psychology, 1–16. Advance online publication.

Jenkinson, P. M., Koukoutsakis, A., Panagiotopoulou, E., Vagnoni, E., Demartini, B., Nistico, V., Gambini, O., Christakou, A., & Fotopoulou, A. (2023). Body appearance values modulate risk aversion in eating restriction. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. 152(12), 3418–3432.

Lord, H., O’Keeffe, S., Panagiotopoulou, E. & Midgley, N. (2023). Exploring Parental Perspectives on Dropout from Treatment for Adolescent Depression. Journal of Infant, Child, and Adolescent Psychotherapy, 22(2), 169–178.

Chiang, C. P., Hayes, D., & Panagiotopoulou, E. (2023). Apps targeting anorexia nervosa in young people: a systematic review of active ingredients. Translational behavioral medicine, 13(6):406-417.

Stumpfogger, N. & Panagiotopoulou, E. (2021). Blurred Body Boundaries of First-Time Mothers: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Neuropsychoanalysis, 23(3): 1-13.

Perez, A., Panagiotopoulou, E., Curtis, P., & Roberts, R. (2021). Barriers and facilitators to mood and confidence in pregnancy and early parenthood during COVID-19 in the UK: A mixed-methods synthesis survey. BJPsych Open, 7(4): e107.

Panagiotopoulou, E., Peiris, C., & Hayes, D. (2021). Behaviour Change Techniques in mobile apps targeting self-harm in young people: a systematic review. Translational Behavioural Medicine, 11(3), 832–841.

De Meulemeester, C., Lowyck B., Panagiotopoulou, E., Fotopoulou, A. & Luyten, P. (2020). Self–other distinction and borderline personality disorder features: Evidence for egocentric and altercentric bias in a self–other facial morphing task. Personality Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment, 12(4), 377–388.

Panagiotopoulou, E., Filippetti, M.L., Gentsch, A., Fotopoulou, A. (2018). Dissociable sources of erogeneity in social touch: Imagining and perceiving C-Tactile optimal touch in erogenous zones. PloS ONE, 13 (8): e0203039.

My approach

My practice is informed by a deep understanding of psychoanalysis, developmental psychology and neuroscience, ensuring a comprehensive and empathetic approach to therapy. In my clinical practice, I work with both couples and individuals, offering sessions in English and Greek. My multicultural background gives me a unique cultural sensitivity, enabling me to engage empathetically and respectfully with people from different cultural backgrounds.