Our Team

Dr Zoi Simopoulou is an experienced counsellor/psychotherapist who works with children and young people with a wide range of issues and problems including: low mood/depression; anxiety; loss; life transitions; bereavement and grief; relating with others; family relationships; loneliness; chronic pain and illness; concerns over self image; gender/sexual identity; exam stress; autism spectrum and ADHD; experience of trauma; self-harm; obsessive amd compulsive thoughts; panic or phobias; dreaming and nightmares; and many other issues. Zoi also works with parents who experience difficulties in the relationship with their children. 

She is particularly experienced in working with children and young people with a history of traumatic abuse (domestic, emotional, physical); emotional and relational concerns; existential challenges; learning difficulties; and physical difficulties. 

Zoi is fluent in Greek and is happy to work with people who would feel more comfortable speaking in this language.
 

Zoi's way of working

Zoi takes a relational approach to therapy. She aims to provide a safe space where each client can share and explore their experiences and concerns and to attend together to the meaning that these hold for them. Her work focuses on exploring existing and new ways of relating through the therapeutic relationship.

As a qualified art therapist Zoi also works with creative making and play as a familiar means to expressing and attending to feelings and experiences that we might have no words for. Along with the therapeutic relationship, she attends to the relationship to the artwork, the materials/toys, and the process of art-marking/play.
 

Zoi's background and training

Zoi has a background working with children, young people and families who have experienced domestic abuse. 

Zoi has a BA Hons in Philosophy and Pedagogic Psychology from the University of Athens, Greece, an MSc in Art Therapy from Queen Margaret University, and a PhD in Counselling, Psychotherapy and Applied Social Sciences from the University of Edinburgh. She undertook additional training in Therapeutic Work with Children and Young People (PgDip) at Human Development Scotland. Zoi also works as a lecturer in counselling, psychotherapy and applied social sciences at the University of Edinburgh.

Zoi is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and she is a member of the British Association of Art Therapists (BAAT).
 

   
 

Zoi's fee

Zoi charges £70 per session for self-funded clients (concessions available). She also works with clients referred via their employer/organisation – for further details, please visit First Psychology Assistance.