WHAT SHAPED WHO I AM
I was born and raised in Greece, in the 60s and 70s. My parents’ generation had lived their childhoods during WWII. My father was a topographer engineer; from him I inherited an independent spirit and a love for exploring new, uncharted territories. My mother was a schoolteacher; from her I inherited a love for learning and for teaching. My father’s only sister was a nurse and caretaker; she instilled in me compassion for the ill and the vulnerable, being an example of patience, forgiveness, and faith. My only brother has been living with schizophrenia since the age of fourteen.
Early on, I observed the destructive consequences of war and conflict on human life and I became aware of the ever-existing human need for healing, peace and reconciliation. At the same time, I was always aware of a Higher Power, a creative Force of life renewal, a loving Presence that transcends yet lives within us and seeks to be in relationship with us. This loving Presence I call “God”.
Since my childhood, I loved the mystery of the Greek Orthodox liturgy, enjoyed having long conversations with God, and was very often moved by a deep desire to help people find comfort when they were in psychological or mental agony. I was always sensitive to social differences and injustices, and I made friends with girls and boys from “both sides of the tracks”. I also loved to learn foreign languages and to imagine my future: my dream was to become a psychologist in the United States, and to travel in many foreign countries. I loved to dream that, one day, I could professionally help people meet the loving Presence within themselves, and find peace and joy in their hearts.
Those early spiritual and vocational desires have been fulfilled through 30 years of international education, training, travel, and service. Today, as a citizen of the world, I am grateful for all those experiences that have expanded my consciousness, deepened my compassion, strengthened my faith, and increased my self-awareness. I see my adult life as an ever-growing tree that has undergone many transitions and transformations, continues to go through seasons, and shares its fruits with the garden of humanity.
The biggest privilege life has afforded me is that of speaking foreign languages. I am fluent in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Greek. Language is a tool for connection that has enabled me to connect with thousands of people from vastly diverse backgrounds and walks of life. Through connection, we enrich and transform each other. As a therapist, I have been enriched and transformed by every client I have met in my work. As a citizen of the world, I feel at home wherever I meet people willing to communicate from a deep and honest place.
I believe we are placed on this earth to earn freedom from our tendency to wound ourselves and each other and to reconcile ourselves and our relationships to Love. The rules of Love are written in our hearts by the One who creates us all equal, gives us divine spark, and calls us out of pain and conflict to a life of peace, justice and compassion. Earning freedom from pain and conflict and reconciling ourselves to Love is a life-long learning process and a continuous return to our God-intended nature. This belief motivates me to continue offering my services as a spiritually integrated psychotherapist, minister and teacher to people desiring healing and peace.
Early on, I observed the destructive consequences of war and conflict on human life and I became aware of the ever-existing human need for healing, peace and reconciliation. At the same time, I was always aware of a Higher Power, a creative Force of life renewal, a loving Presence that transcends yet lives within us and seeks to be in relationship with us. This loving Presence I call “God”.
Since my childhood, I loved the mystery of the Greek Orthodox liturgy, enjoyed having long conversations with God, and was very often moved by a deep desire to help people find comfort when they were in psychological or mental agony. I was always sensitive to social differences and injustices, and I made friends with girls and boys from “both sides of the tracks”. I also loved to learn foreign languages and to imagine my future: my dream was to become a psychologist in the United States, and to travel in many foreign countries. I loved to dream that, one day, I could professionally help people meet the loving Presence within themselves, and find peace and joy in their hearts.
Those early spiritual and vocational desires have been fulfilled through 30 years of international education, training, travel, and service. Today, as a citizen of the world, I am grateful for all those experiences that have expanded my consciousness, deepened my compassion, strengthened my faith, and increased my self-awareness. I see my adult life as an ever-growing tree that has undergone many transitions and transformations, continues to go through seasons, and shares its fruits with the garden of humanity.
The biggest privilege life has afforded me is that of speaking foreign languages. I am fluent in English, French, Spanish, Portuguese and Greek. Language is a tool for connection that has enabled me to connect with thousands of people from vastly diverse backgrounds and walks of life. Through connection, we enrich and transform each other. As a therapist, I have been enriched and transformed by every client I have met in my work. As a citizen of the world, I feel at home wherever I meet people willing to communicate from a deep and honest place.
I believe we are placed on this earth to earn freedom from our tendency to wound ourselves and each other and to reconcile ourselves and our relationships to Love. The rules of Love are written in our hearts by the One who creates us all equal, gives us divine spark, and calls us out of pain and conflict to a life of peace, justice and compassion. Earning freedom from pain and conflict and reconciling ourselves to Love is a life-long learning process and a continuous return to our God-intended nature. This belief motivates me to continue offering my services as a spiritually integrated psychotherapist, minister and teacher to people desiring healing and peace.