Mrs Vassia Sarantopoulou

Psychotherapist

“As a psychologist with over 20 years of experience, I am dedicated to helping individuals understand themselves deeply, heal long-standing patterns, and build a more authentic and fulfilling life. My work focuses on perfectionism anxiety, burnout, emotional deprivation, and the challenges faced by internationals living away from home. I believe that therapy should feel safe, empowering, and practical. My mission is to offer a space where clients feel seen, supported, and guided toward sustainable change, not through pressure or quick fixes, but through curiosity, compassion, and meaningful insight.”

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About Me

I’m Vassia Sarantopoulou, a psychologist and psychotherapist supporting individuals who feel stuck in perfectionism, chronic stress, and emotional exhaustion. My work is grounded in Schema Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and a holistic, compassionate approach that helps clients reconnect with their values, their inner strength, and their sense of meaning. Many of the people I work with are high-achievers, internationals, and professionals navigating big transitions—burnout, relocation, relationship changes, or moments where life no longer feels aligned. I help them untangle painful patterns such as self-criticism, over-responsibility, people-pleasing, and the fear of not being "enough." Together, we build emotional resilience, cultivate self-compassion, and create sustainable change, so that they can stop surviving and start living with clarity, balance, and joy.

Approach

I work integratively, combining Schema Therapy, Emotionally Focused Therapy, and evidence-based tools from trauma-informed and holistic practices. My approach goes beyond symptom reduction; together, we explore the roots of emotional patterns: your beliefs, unmet needs, relational wounds, and coping modes. I work like a compassionate guide: firm when it’s needed, gentle when it matters, and always attuned to your pace. Each session balances emotional exploration with concrete strategies so you leave with both clarity and practical tools. My goal is to help you build emotional resilience, reconnect with your authentic self, and create a life that feels balanced, meaningful, and genuinely yours.

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Basic Information

Not taking new referrals

Leiden, Netherlands

Services

I offer individual psychotherapy for adults navigating burnout, anxiety, perfectionism, relationship struggles, and major life transitions. I specialize in working with high-achieving professionals and internationals who want to break free from overthinking, harsh self-criticism, and cycles of exhaustion. Sessions can take place online or in person in the Netherlands, depending on your needs and location. I also run group programs and workshops focused on Burnout Recovery, Reinvention and Overcoming Perfectionism. Whether you are looking for short-term support or deeper long-term work, I provide a structured, compassionate, and culturally sensitive therapeutic space to help you move forward with courage and clarity.

Services Offered:

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Psychotherapy
In-depth therapeutic work that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting psychological change.
Learn more about Psychotherapy
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Individual Therapy
One-on-one therapy sessions between a client and a therapist, focused on that person's specific concerns and goals.
Learn more about Individual Therapy
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Stress Management
Techniques and strategies for managing the body and mind's response to excessive demands, including relaxation, cognitive restructuring, and lifestyle changes.
Learn more about Stress Management
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Schema Therapy
A therapy that identifies deep, long-standing emotional patterns (schemas) formed in childhood and works to change the ones that cause recurring problems.
Learn more about Schema Therapy
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CBT
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, a structured, evidence-based approach that identifies and changes unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
Learn more about CBT
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Corporate Workshops
Mental health and well-being workshops delivered in workplace settings, covering topics like stress management, resilience, and communication.
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Online Therapy
Therapy sessions conducted over video call, phone, or secure messaging, using the same professional methods delivered remotely.
Learn more about Online Therapy
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Personal Development
The ongoing process of self-awareness, self-improvement, and reaching one's potential, pursued not because something is wrong but to live more fully.
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Relationship Counseling
Counselling for couples or partners focused on improving communication, rebuilding trust, and strengthening emotional connection.
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Supervision
Professional oversight for therapists and counsellors, providing guidance, ethical support, and reflective space for their clinical work.
Learn more about Supervision

Works With:

•Adults
•Individuals
•Organisations

Area of Expertise

Scope of Practice:

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Anxiety
Persistent worry, nervousness, or fear that is disproportionate to the situation and interferes with daily functioning.
Learn more about Anxiety
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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
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Mood Disorder
A category of mental health conditions, including depression and bipolar disorder, in which a person's emotional state is significantly and persistently disrupted.
Learn more about Mood Disorder
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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:

•
Psychotherapist
A professional trained to provide in-depth therapy that explores patterns in thoughts, emotions, and relationships to produce lasting change.

Qualifications

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Leiden University

International Society of Schema Therapy

International Centre for Excellence in Emotionally Focused Therapy (ICEEFT)

National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

Registrations

Netherlands Instituut van Psychologen (NIP)

Psychologist

Service Area

AntiLoneliness Leiden

In-person & Online

Leiden, South Holland

Netherlands