PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

My work applies global mental health principles—community-based care, rights-based advocacy, and co-creation with people with lived experience—across education, government, NGO, and social enterprise settings. I have implemented inclusive mental health initiatives and public policies in response to crises (e.g. COVID-19) and promoted psychosocial resilience and vocational reintegration of people with mental health conditions. My approach aligns with WHO and UN frameworks, emphasizing equity, participation, advocacy and cross-sector collaboration. 

• KoiSPE Athina – Elpis (Social Cooperative Enterprise) – Psychologist  (Apr 2024 – Dec 2025)
  Supporting people with mental health conditions through counseling, peer support, and rights-based advocacy in order to find and maintain employment, based on the Individual Placement and Support (IPS) model. Developing social inclusion strategies and cross-sector partnerships to promote stigma reduction, vocational integration, and economic empowerment.

• Thalpos Mental Health NGO  – Psychologist (Apr 2023 – Apr 2024 fixed-term contract):
  Delivered individual therapy and psychoeducation in a community setting. Facilitated public seminars to reduce stigma and foster dialogue. Promoted service user participation and co-creation in care planning.

• Ministry of Education – Psychologist (Dec 2020 – Jun 2021, fixed-term contract):
  Provided psychological support to students, parents, and teachers in public schools during the pandemic. Delivered consultations and seminars aligned with national and international mental health guidelines. Acted as liaison between families, schools, and governmental institutions to ensure inclusive, culturally responsive care.

• Municipality of Dodoni – Psychologist (May – Sep 2020, fixed-term contract)
  Led mental health response during Greece’s first COVID-19 wave. Operated a municipal helpline, conducted needs assessments, and coordinated psychosocial support for the elderly and residents with disabilities and mental health conditions.. Designed community outreach under public health protocols in collaboration with local authorities and municipal institutions.

• National & Kapodistrian University of Athens  E-learning Programs- Adult Education Teacher (09/2020 – 08/2023):  Delivered and designed courses on Psychology, Neurodevelopmental Disorders & Special Education. Integrated research evidence into curricula and facilitated knowledge translation for professional audiences.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Postgraduate Researcher – PhD Candidate (02/2024 – present)
Clinical Psychology. Department of Psychology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece
PhD Candidate investigating the impact of climate change and associated natural disasters on children’s mental health. (Supervisor: Dr Lissy Canellopoulos).

Researcher – External Associate (2017-Present)
Laboratory of clinical research: subjectivity and social bond, Department of Psychology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.  

Active laboratory member participating in various research projects:

• Construction and Adaptation of a Projective Assessment Tool for Children: Adaptation of French-speaking tools for the Greek population (Supervisor: Dr. Lissy Canellopoulos). (2021-2024)
• Death and Bereavement Under COVID-19: International study on bereavement and mental health, with collaborators from France, Canada, Switzerland, Belgium, Spain, Portugal, and Mexico. (Supervisor: Dr. Lissy Canellopoulos) (2021-2024)

Other Research Projects

• The impact of climate change on child and adolescent mental health in European countries affected by armed conflict and disease outbreaks: Markopoulou E., Tsagkaris C., Riaz A. M. & Nawaz F. (2024). Scoping review supported through a collaboration with WHO Europe/Young Researchers’ Forum under the WHO Athens Office on Quality of Care and Patient Safety 
• From Environmental Crisis to Social Harm: The Impact of Climate Change on Violence Against Children and Adolescents. Markopoulou E. & Risvas, C. (2025). Scoping Review

EDUCATION 

2024-Present: PhD Student – The impact of climate change and associated natural disasters on children’s mental
health (Thesis). Departement of Psychology. National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Supervisor: Dr Lissy Canellopoulos).

2019-2021: MSc Liaison Psychiatry: Integrative Care of Physical & Mental Health.
Athens Medical School, Department of Health Sciences, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

2013-2017: BA Psychology.
Department of Psychology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens

KEY SKILLS

• • Research & Evaluation: Mixed methods research (qualitative & quantitative), protocol design, ethics compliance, data analysis (SPSS, R, IPA, thematic analysis).
  • Project Management: Coordination of national, international and interdisciplinary research projects
  • Programme Design & Implementation: Designing and delivering interventions in education, municipal, and community health settings
  • Crisis Intervention & Psychological Support: Developing psychosocial interventions during the COVID-19 pandemic
  • Communication: Academic writing, academic publishing, conference presentations, public seminars
  • Digital & Language Skills: ECDL Advanced (Word, PowerPoint, Excel); English (IELTS C1), French (DALF C1), Greek (native

VOLUNTEERING:

01/2019 – 03/2020: General University Hospital “Attikon” B’ Psychiatric Clinic.
Liaison & Forensic Psychiatry Department

09/2017 – 12/2018:  Municipal Clinic of Kallithea, Tobacco Addiction Department Facilitated group interventions aimed at supporting individuals in overcoming tobacco addiction.