PATRICK AKRIVOS
He holds a postgraduate degree from Middlesex University, a postgraduate diploma in the Person-Centered Approach from the University of Strathclyde and has completed his training in Person Centered Psychotherapy at the FORUM in Vienna, Austria. He is also a certified Gordon Trainer (Parent, Teacher, Youth and Leader Training), he is a certified S.A.F.E. trainer (Secure Attachment Training) as well as a Positive Discipline Instructor. He has completed trainings in Emotional Focused Couples Therapy, Addictions, Trauma therapy and others.
Patrick Akrivos has many years of experience in the education of parents and teachers as well as consulting and educating staff and employees in Greek and International companies as well as educational institutions.
Patrick Akrivos has a significant number of publication and conference presentations and is continuing to deepen his understanding of psychotherapy with additional trainings, always being sensitive to persons with different cultural backgrounds.
Education & Professional Experience
Patrick Akrivos’ academic and professional training reflects a continuous and evolving commitment to psychotherapy, relational depth, and cross-cultural understanding. His foundational studies began with a B.Sc. in Psychology from the University of La Verne (Athens campus) in 2001. During this early period, he also pursued specialized training in systemic and experiential approaches, obtaining a Certificate in Family Systems from the Therapeutic Institute for Family Relations and a Certificate in Gestalt Therapy from the Institute of Gestalt Therapy in Athens (2001–2002).
His clinical orientation deepened through a Diploma in Addictions Counseling from Clouds House in England (2004), accredited by CPCAB, followed by further experiential work with a Certificate in Focusing from the Hellenic Centre for Focusing in 2007. In 2008, he completed his M.A. in Counseling Psychology at Middlesex University in England, consolidating his academic and clinical foundation.
Alongside his psychotherapy training, he became extensively involved in the Gordon Model, earning certifications as a Parent Effectiveness Trainer (2009), Teacher Effectiveness Trainer (2011), Youth Effectiveness Trainer (2013), and later as a Leader Effectiveness Trainer (2014). These qualifications reflect his strong desire to explore the application of the Person Centered Approach in all areas of human life.
In 2013, he obtained a Diploma in Person-Centered Counseling through the Institute of Counseling and Psychotherapy Studies in collaboration with the University of Strathclyde, marking a significant step toward his core therapeutic orientation. This was followed by further specialization, including certification as an ISTAME Anti-Bullying Instructor (2015) and advanced training in Emotionally Focused Therapy for couples.
His interest in attachment-based work is reflected in his certification as a SAFE Mentor (Attachment Parenting) from Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich in 2017.
Most recently, he completed a Diploma in Person-Centered Psychotherapy in Vienna (2022), followed by an advanced Diploma in Person-Centered Child and Youth Psychotherapy in 2024. Together, these qualifications reflect a coherent professional journey grounded in humanistic, relational, and developmentally sensitive psychotherapy.
Professional Experience
praxis-akrivos.at (private practice)
- Psychotherapy
- Person-Centered individual psychotherapy sessions, with youth and adults
- EMDR Trauma Psychotherapy
- Couples and family psychotherapy
- Men’s Group Psychotherapy
- Cross cultural counseling
- C.K. counseling
- Transition/Relocation counseling
- Cross cultural parenting counseling
- Workshops / Trainings
- Parent Effectiveness Training
- Teacher Effectiveness Training
- Youth Effectiveness Training
- Leader Effectiveness Training
- S.A.F.E. secure attachment workshops
- Positive discipline for Parents Training
- Keeping the Joy in the Relationship Workshop
- Tailored workshops and Lectures for schools and other institutions and business.
Gordon Training International - gordontraining.com
- Facilitate on-site (Leader Effectiveness Training) workshops for Gordon Training International, as well as Train the Trainer Workshop Trainings
- Facilitate on-site (Parent Effectiveness Training) workshops for Gordon Training International, as well as Train the Trainer Workshop Trainings
New York College, Athens, Greece - nyc.gr
- Adjunct Faculty in the M.A. program in Clinical-Counselling Psychology, University of LaSalle, U.S.A. Teaching ‘Substance Abuse Counselling’
- Adjunct Faculty in B.A. program, SUNY Empire State College, teaching Addictions, Cross Cultural Psychology
MetaDrasi, Athens, Greece - metadrasi.org
- Running a supervision/support for the Interpreters.
- Offering individual counseling support to Interpreters
Greek Society of Adlerian Psychology & Romanian Adlerian Psychology Association - adlerian.gr
- Facilitating workshops, trainings and lectures including such issues as: “Effective communication and problem-solving skills”. “Dysfunctional Families” “Couples Counseling”
American Community Schools, Athens, Greece - acs.gr
- Conducted individual and group counseling session to address academic, social and emotional issues with students and parents
- Collaborated with teachers to develop and implement strategies for supporting students in the classroom
- Provided crises intervention and support during challenging situations
- Organized and facilitated workshops on topics such as study skills, conflict resolution, multi-culturism
- Contributed to the development of school-wide programs promoting mental health and well-being
- Conducting support sessions for TCK students
N.G.O Νηφάλιοι (Sober), Athens, Greece - nifalioi.com
- Providing leadership and guidance in accordance with the NGO’s mission and values
- Advocate for evidence-based alcohol prevention policies at the community and policy level
- Training staff on the 24-hour hotline
- Providing public talks an lectures on the impact of alcohol on the family and especially om the children
- Accomplishments: Νηφάλιοι received the 2007 award of Best G.O. in Health Care and Prevention from the Greek Ministry of Health.
Hellenic American University, Athens, Greece - haec.gr
- Serve as a point of contact for students facing personal challenges
- Conduct activities to raise cross cultural awareness
- Conducted individual counseling session to address academic, social and emotional issues with students
- Develop and implement initiatives to enhance student engagement, involvement and sense of belonging
- Collaborate with student organizations to organize events, activities and programs that contribute to the campus community
- Provide guidance to student leaders and advisors of student organizations
Hellenic American University, Athens, Greece
- Assisting research in Health Literacy financed by the Marie Curie Re-Integration Grant. Responsibilities included data collection, literature review, article write-up, basic statistical analysis.
- Responsible for research on various individual research projects on global migration issues, coordinating data collection and processing.
Centre for Research in Human Behavior (ΚΕΑΣ), Athens Greece - kentro.org
- Conduct comprehensive assessments to determine severity of substance use disorder
- Develop and implement individualized treatment plans in collaboration with the clinical team
- Conduct individual psychotherapeutic sessions
- Facilitate group therapy sessions
- Facilitate psychoeducational workshops on addiction, recovery and coping strategies
