Irene Koursoumbas , BA

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist

Verified

“I am a British psychologist and psychoanalytic psychotherapist with over 30 years of clinical experience working with adults, couples, families and groups. My professional training includes extensive psychoanalytic training through institutes affiliated with the International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA), specialised training in couples, family and group psychoanalytic psychotherapy, trauma-informed practice and Inner Child therapy. Over the years, my clinical work has evolved into an integrative approach that combines the depth of psychoanalytic psychotherapy with evidence-informed holistic practices, including mindfulness, somatic awareness and other complementary approaches where appropriate. I believe that lasting psychological healing often involves addressing the mind, body and emotional experience as an interconnected whole, and I tailor therapy to the unique needs of each individual, couple, family or group.”

About Me

I practise online from Forest Row, East Sussex, UK, and Athens, Greece, working with English- and Greek-speaking clients internationally. Over the past 30 years, I have had the privilege of supporting individuals, couples, families and groups through life’s challenges, helping them develop greater self-awareness, emotional resilience and more fulfilling relationships. My work is grounded in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, while integrating trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, mindfulness, somatic awareness/body work and Inner Child therapy where appropriate. I believe that every person has a unique story, and therapy offers a safe, compassionate and confidential space in which that story can be explored, understood and transformed. Alongside my clinical work, I have facilitated therapeutic groups, written books on psychology and personal development, and delivered a TEDx talk exploring psychological growth and human potential. I value working collaboratively with each client, tailoring therapy to their individual needs and helping them create meaningful and lasting change.

Approach

I believe that therapy is a collaborative journey of self-discovery, healing and personal growth. My work is grounded in psychoanalytic psychotherapy, helping clients understand the unconscious patterns, early experiences and relationship dynamics that influence their emotional lives. At the same time, I recognise that healing involves the whole person—mind, body and emotions—and I therefore take an integrative, holistic approach to psychotherapy. Drawing on over 30 years of clinical experience, I integrate psychoanalytic thinking with trauma-informed practice, attachment theory, mindfulness, somatic awareness, Inner Child therapy and carefully selected complementary approaches when appropriate. Every therapeutic journey is unique, and I tailor my work to each client’s individual needs, goals and pace. Whether you are struggling with anxiety, trauma, relationship difficulties, grief, low self-esteem or a major life transition, my aim is to provide a safe, compassionate and non-judgemental therapeutic relationship where deeper understanding can lead to meaningful and lasting change. I believe that therapy is not only about relieving distress but also about reconnecting with your authentic self and developing the inner resources needed to live a fuller and more satisfying life.

Contact Irene

Ask a quick question or arrange a time to meet.

Basic Information

Athens, Greece

Online Only

Services

I provide psychotherapy for adults, couples, families and therapy groups, offering online sessions in English and Greek to clients both locally and internationally. My areas of work include anxiety, depression, trauma and complex trauma, relationship and attachment difficulties, couples and family issues, grief and loss, stress and burnout, anger management, self-esteem, emotional regulation, life transitions and personal growth. Alongside individual psychotherapy, I facilitate therapeutic groups, including Self-Esteem and Inner Child groups, and offer a structured eight-session Anger Management Programme that I developed by integrating specialist anger management techniques with over 30 years of clinical experience. Whether clients seek short-term support or longer-term depth psychotherapy, I tailor every therapeutic journey to the individual’s unique needs, integrating psychoanalytic psychotherapy with trauma-informed, mindfulness-based and holistic approaches where appropriate.

Services Offered:

Psychodynamic Therapy
A therapy that explores how past experiences and unconscious patterns shape current feelings, relationships, and behaviour.
Learn more about Psychodynamic Therapy
MBCT (Mindfulness-Based CBT)
A therapy combining mindfulness meditation with cognitive behavioural techniques, designed particularly to prevent relapse in depression.
Learn more about MBCT (Mindfulness-Based CBT)
Family Therapy
A form of therapy that works with family members together to improve communication, resolve conflict, and strengthen relationships within the family system.
Learn more about Family Therapy
Psychoanalysis
An in-depth therapy that explores unconscious patterns, early experiences, and inner conflicts to produce lasting psychological change, typically involving frequent sessions.
Learn more about Psychoanalysis
Group Therapy
Therapy conducted with a small group of people who share similar concerns, using peer interaction and diverse perspectives as part of the healing process.
Learn more about Group Therapy
Guided Visualisation
A relaxation technique in which a therapist guides you through calming mental imagery to reduce stress, anxiety, or pain.
Individual Psychotherapy
In-depth one-on-one therapy that explores the deeper roots of a person's difficulties, often drawing on psychodynamic or psychoanalytic models.
Integrative Psychotherapy
An approach that draws on multiple therapeutic models, tailored to the individual, rather than following a single method.
Mindfulness
The practice of paying deliberate attention to the present moment without judgement, used to reduce stress and increase awareness of automatic reactions.
Learn more about Mindfulness
Online Therapy
Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.
Learn more about Online Therapy

Works With:

Adults
Elderly
Couples
Families
Groups
Individuals
Parents
Organisations

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
Anger
An intense emotional response to perceived threat, injustice, or frustration that, when persistent or uncontrolled, can damage relationships and well-being.
Learn more about Anger
Behaviour or Conduct Issues
Persistent patterns of defiant, aggressive, or rule-breaking behaviour in children or adolescents that significantly disrupt home, school, or social life.
Family Issues
Difficulties within the family system, including conflict, communication breakdown, blended family tensions, or intergenerational patterns, that affect individual and collective well-being.
Relationship Issues
Difficulties in romantic relationships, including communication problems, trust breakdowns, conflict patterns, or uncertainty about the relationship's future.
Learn more about Relationship Issues
Stress / Burnout
The body and mind's response to prolonged or excessive demands. When sustained, it can lead to emotional exhaustion, detachment, and reduced functioning (burnout).
Learn more about Stress / Burnout
Women's Issues
Psychological challenges more commonly experienced by women, including gender-based stress, reproductive health concerns, body image, caregiving burden, and societal expectations.
Men's Issues
Psychological challenges commonly experienced by men, including difficulty expressing emotions, anger, relationship struggles, fatherhood pressures, and societal expectations of masculinity.
Grief, Loss & Bereavement
The emotional, physical, and psychological response to the death of a loved one or another significant loss, varying widely in duration and expression.
Learn more about Grief, Loss & Bereavement
Trauma
The lasting psychological impact of deeply distressing events, such as violence, abuse, accidents, or disasters, that overwhelm a person's ability to cope.
Learn more about Trauma

Professional Title:

Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist
A psychotherapist who integrates psychoanalytic understanding into therapy, exploring unconscious dynamics and relational patterns.

Credentials

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Richmond University UK

Year: 1995

Memberships

International Psychoanalytical Association (IPA)

Service Areas

Online Only

Athens

Greece