If you are looking for a Greek speaking therapist in the UK, you are in good company. Many Greeks and Cypriots in Britain say it is easier to talk about feelings in the language they grew up with. This week we are putting the spotlight on Serafeim Papakostas Psychotherapy, an online private practice that works in Greek and English and is a Greek List member.
Please note: this article is general information about a Greek List member. It is not medical or psychological advice and it does not promise any result. If you are worried about your health, speak to your GP.
The clocks go back on Sunday 25 October 2026 at 2am, which means darker evenings from the very next day, according to the Royal Observatory Greenwich. For many people in the UK that is the moment autumn really starts to feel like winter.
The NHS describes seasonal affective disorder (SAD) as a type of depression that usually happens in the winter. It lists symptoms such as low mood, loss of interest in things you normally enjoy, poor concentration, feeling tired and sleeping more. It also says the exact cause is not known, but it is thought to be linked to less daylight in winter.
The NHS also notes that you should see a GP if you think you might have SAD, and that talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) are among the treatments that can be used. Whether any of this applies to you is a question for a GP or another qualified professional, not for a blog post.
If you are new to the idea, the NHS page on cognitive behavioural therapy is a good place to start. It explains that CBT is a talking therapy in which a therapist helps you look at how you think and act. You usually begin with an assessment, and the therapist then recommends the most suitable treatment, which may or may not be CBT.
According to the NHS, CBT can be offered as guided self help, one to one sessions or group sessions, in person, online or by phone, and usually runs for 5 to 15 sessions. For anxiety and depression, adults aged 18 or over (16 or over in some areas) can refer themselves to NHS talking therapies without seeing a GP. Waiting times vary by area, and some people also choose a private therapist.
Here is what the Greek List listing says about the practice. Serafeim Papakostas is a psychologist and psychotherapist offering online private sessions in Greek and English. The listing describes nearly 10 years of experience in Greece and England, including NGO work and NHS clinical and research roles, and says the practice focuses on supporting Greeks abroad and the LGBTQI+ community, with the aim of offering a psychologically safe space.
Services listed: cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), EMDR, psychological assessment and psychotherapy. The listing says the first step is an assessment of 1 to 3 sessions, followed by recommendations.
Areas of practice listed: schizophrenia spectrum disorders, depression, anxiety, OCD, PTSD, low self esteem and processing past experiences. The listing says this list is not exhaustive.
Format and languages: online, in Greek and English.
On training and registration, the listing mentions a degree from Deree, The American College of Greece, an MSc in Mental Health and Psychological Therapies from Queen Mary University of London, and a postgraduate diploma in CBT from University College London. It also lists the British Psychological Society, the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) and EMDR UK. If you are choosing any therapist, it is always sensible to check registrations and accreditations yourself and to ask questions before you book.
Whoever you choose, a short first conversation can save a lot of guesswork. You might ask how the first assessment works, how many sessions it usually involves, what the fees and cancellation terms are, and which professional bodies the therapist belongs to. Ask about the language too: some people prefer to start in Greek and move between languages as they go, and that is a perfectly good thing to raise on day one.
Online sessions also have practical benefits for people living outside London, for shift workers and for parents, because you only need a quiet room and a decent internet connection. A private space matters, so think ahead about where you will sit and when the house will be quiet.
If you need help now: in an emergency call 999. You can also call Samaritans free on 116 123, at any time, or speak to your GP or NHS 111.
Therapy is only one part of looking after yourself when the days get shorter. Plenty of Greeks in London get through the winter by keeping a routine, getting outside in daylight when they can, and staying in touch with the community. A coffee with a friend, a walk in the park at lunchtime or a night out with other Greeks all count as time well spent.
Looking for company? Greek List has the most complete list of Greek events in the UK, from concerts and club nights to family days and cultural evenings. Organisers can add their event for free.
The businesses we feature are Greek List members. More than 100,000 Greeks and Cypriots in the UK read us every month through the website, the newsletter and the Ellines sto Londino group, and member listings rank first on Google for local searches.
Know a Greek professional we should feature? Share this article in the Facebook group Ellines sto Londino and tell us who you would like to read about next.
