Maria Pirounaki Lioni was born in Athens.
She earned her B.A. in Psychology from Deree -The American College of
Greece, and her M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Ball State University
Indianna (Athens Program) in 1976.
In 1994 she completed her Ph.D. in Social Psychology at the University of Bath,
UK, with the dissertation “Greek Adolescents’ Conceptions of Community
Transactions.”
She holds the European Certificate of Psychotherapy from the European
Association for Psychotherapy (EAP).
From 1974 to 1976, she was trained at the Athenian Institute o Anthropos
(A.K.M.A.), focusing on General Systems Theory, Psychological Assessment,
Urban Family Dynamics, and Group Process.
Between 1989 and 1993, she specialized in Systemic and Family
Psychotherapy and Family Counseling at the Laboratory for the Study of Human
Relations.
She is registered in the National Register of Certified Trainers (EKEPIS) under
number 21001.
Professional Focus
Maria works in individual, family, and group psychotherapy, as well as in
psychological counseling and supervision of human systems -including
organizations, institutions, and counseling centers.
She is a Systemic Trainer and Supervisor of psychotherapists and psychological
counselors.
She is also a trainer and supervisor conducting experiential training -both
individual and group on inter-professional psychosocial education and social
skills, to a variety of professionals in large systems.
Since 1989, she has been an instructor in corporate and inter-corporate seminars
for executives and professionals.
For four years (1992–1996), she organized and directed the Human Relations
Office at the Elefsina Shipyards.
Collaborations and Educational Roles
She has served as a scientific consultant and training coordinator for two major
social intervention programs:
- “Filiki Folia” in Elefsina (1975–2005), and
- “Happy Children – Happy Youth” summer camps (1975–present).
As a long-term collaborator of the Laboratory for the Study of Human Relations,
she is a trainer and supervisor in the Specialization Program in Systemic
Therapy (P.E.S.TH.) for mental health professionals in Athens, and Thessaloniki
(2004–present).
She was also the coordinator and trainer of the two-year Interprofessional
Educational Program “Human Systems: Expanding Professional Horizons”
(2001–2006) and led the one-year program “Systemic Approach: Systemic
Thinking and Applications” for mental health professionals (1998–2001).
Maria has contributed to several university and national training initiatives,
including:
- Experiential training as a part of post-graduate degree for secondary-
education counselors in Career Guidance and Counseling at Harokopio
University (1999–2000)
- The OKANA Primary Prevention Program “Meaning in Our Lives” for
Western Attica, as the Program Coordinator(1996–1999), implemented in
12 municipalities
- Collaboration with Harokopio University’s Counseling Center (2003–2011)
and postgraduate teaching (2008–2012)
- Co-design and supervision of the three-year program “Counseling and
Empowerment” (2001–2006) by the Psychosocial Development
Association
- Teaching in the University of Athens Pedagogical Equivalency Program in
Ecosystemic Pedagogy (2003–2004)
- Supervision for the General Secretariat for Gender Equality in two
counseling centers addressing domestic violence (2009)
- External supervision for postgraduate students at the University of Athens
and Democritus University of Thrace in the M.A. Program in Counseling
Psychology and Counseling in Education, Health, and Work (2010–2011)
Research and Memberships
Maria Pirounaki Lioni, has presented announcements, papers, lectures, and has
conducted workshops at numerous Greek and international conferences.
She is a member of:
- European Association for Psychotherapy (EAP)
- Hellenic Society for Systemic Therapy (EL.E.SY.TH.) (founding member)
- Hellenic Psychological Society (EL.PS. E.)
- Association of Greek Psychologists (SEPS)
- European Family Therapy Association (EFTA)
Areas of Interest
Her current research and applied interests include:
- The Inner Child in Systemic Psychotherapy
- The use of Art in Systemic Group Therapy and therapist training
- Primary Prevention in the wider community