A few words about me

I am a highly qualified and experienced academic, researcher and psychotherapist specializing in both individual and couple psychodynamic psychotherapy. With extensive academic and clinical training, I bring a depth of knowledge and expertise to my practice. I work with adults—both individuals and couples—of all ages and backgrounds. My approach is informed by psychoanalysis, developmental psychology, and neuroscience, allowing for a rich and comprehensive understanding of the human experience. I offer a safe, confidential, and creative space where you can explore your thoughts, feelings and experiences honestly and without judgment. I offer sessions in English and Greek. My multicultural background enables me to bring empathy, openness, and cultural sensitivity to my work with people from diverse backgrounds.

Current positions

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

  • Visiting Psychotherapist at Tavistock Relationships

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

Education and Training

  • Clinical Diploma in Couple and Individual Psychodynamic Psychotherapy (Tavistock Relationships)

    3-year training accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP)

  • PhD Psychodynamic Neuroscience (UCL)

    Fully funded by the British Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Neuropsychoanalysis Association (NPSA)

  • MSc Cognitive Neuroscience (UCL)

    Fully funded by the British Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) and Neuropsychoanalysis Association (NPSA)

  • MSc Psychoanalytic Developmental Psychology (UCL and Anna Freud)

  • BSc (Honours) Psychology (UCL)

* I attend regular supervision, I am a Graduate member of the Tavistock Relationships Association of Psychotherapists and Counsellors and I hold appropriate professional insurance.

Publications

I am the co-editor and co-author of Perspectives on Early Parenthood and Infancy: A Psychoanalytic, Neuroscientific, Developmental and Cultural Dialogue published by Routledge. This volume offers a multidisciplinary exploration of conception, pregnancy, birth, infancy, and the parent–infant relationship, integrating psychoanalytic, neuroscientific, developmental, and cultural perspectives.

My research has also been published in 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:

Perez, 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.