
"I believe that we should be able to listen and voice our common concerns for the future, become less theoretical and inspire more people to act."
Despoina Limniotaki
I am a Psychologist and the Founder of the social, co-operative business The Healing Tree addressing the need to end the stigma against mental health problems, helping to improve the services, to raise understanding and gather help around those who need information and support.
I am self‐employed: I hold my own private practice as a counselor in collaboration with organisations of the public and private sector.
As I have also studied Education at the University of Rethymnon in Crete, I manage an English‐speaking programme for children aged 8 - 12, based on creative learning. I am an advocate for democratic education.
I hold an MSc from the University of Kent in Group Processes and Intergoup Relations and have been trained in Political Communication and Strategic Planning.
I have worked as an assistant counselor in PA.G.N.I hospital in Crete, with patients with long‐term disabilities, organizing therapy groups and art therapy sessions.
Also, I work as a career counselor, providing guidance and services to students in support of their internships in the local businesses of Iraklion, Crete. I cooperate with social workers in order for them to build a programme that would help elderly women have a better stay and a richer daily schedule based on their needs and wishes.
As a volunteer, I collaborate with groups in running seminars on stress and coping after a natural disaster. My first book on Death and Bereavement with the title A Matter of Life or Death was published in 2008 (ed.Itanos). My second workbook "Pame ena taxidaki" on children, loss and grief, was a healing tree community project, published in 2018. My third book Re-Writing Your Life Story was published in November 2019 and is a bootcamp guide aimed at helping people put their life in perspective and realize their dreams. I wrote the introduction to the book "As me gemisoune ta heili sou filia" by Hristoforos Arvanitis (Armos Books, 2020) and a story for the essay collection book "Eimai Epikindini" (Key Books, 2021).
I have worked with thematic groups on the topics of stereotypes and racism with a view to developing programmes for socially vulnerable populations. I am a devoted volunteer in help of the people who find refuge in Greece and work as an instructor for civil protection groups, teaching skills and techniques for psychological first aid in cases of disaster. I am also an activist against human trafficking.
I am fluent in English and French. I enjoy travelling, reading, jazz music and writing journal entries for newspapers, lifestyle blogs & e-magazines. I am a motivational speaker and a business mentor for women entrepreneurs and young politicians.
I live in Crete with my husband, daughter and Rallou the labrador.