About me

• Certified trainer in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy at the University of Washington (2018)
• Psychologist, Athens, Greece, License #3303/03
• Certified Trainer by the National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications & Vocational Guidance #ΣΑ1179
• Certified CBT Therapist by the Greek Association for Behavioral Research (GABR) #CBT15-078

• 09/2006 – present | Licensed Psychologist and psychotherapist, independent practice.
• 09/2007 – present | EAP counselor, Ergonomia, Athens.
• 06/2003 – 12/2012 | Vocational counselor and trainer, Professional Training Center “Ergoway”, Athens.
• 09/2004 – 07/2006 | Research Assistant, Dept. of Psychology, University of Athens.

• 07/2023 | Coleader with Tsai, Kuei, Maitland, Rolim de Moura, Muñoz-Martínez at the workshop “Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP): Creating Intense and Curative Therapeutic Relationships by Focusing on Emotional and Interpersonal Targets” at the World Conference of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, Nicosia, Cyprus 
• 07/2023 | Coleader with Lemay, Brandolin at the workshop “Investigating the Underlying Processes Beyond Our Self- Labels” at the World Conference of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, Nicosia, Cyprus
• 07/2023 | Coleader with Tsai, O’Connell, Funke, Iuga, Gomes at the workshop “Bringing Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) to the General Public: Societal Change through the Awareness, Courage & Love (ACL) Global Project” at the World Conference of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, Nicosia, Cyprus
• 09/2022 | Coleader with B. A. Kossakowska at the workshop “The process of transforming pain” at the International Scientific and Educational Conference “Curiosity builds bridges”, Poland

• 07/2020 | Coleader with M. Tsai, J. Lopes, A. P. Moraes, F. Olaz, J. P. Coletti, W. Zhang, F. Ramos, S. Turakka, R. Kjelgaard at the workshop “Bringing Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) to the General Public: Awareness, Courage & Love (ACL) Global Project and Cultural Sensitivity” at the 18th World Conference of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, Online

• 06/2019 | Coleader with G. Dewar and H. Yates at the workshop “Self Forgiveness: Discovering Courage and Flexibility to transform Life Setbacks and Build the Life you Value” at the 17th World Conference of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science in Dublin, Ireland

• 07/2018 | Coleader with M. Tsai, R. Kohlenberg, B. Kohlenberg, H. Yates, M. Skinta and F. Olaz at the pre-con workshop “Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP): Deepening and Generalizing Your Clinical Skills of Awareness, Courage and Therapeutic Love” presenting “Writing Narratives as an Evocative Tool in FAP” at the 16th World Conference of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science in Montreal, Canada
• 07/2018 | Coleader with Lopes, Tsai, Yates, Handelman, Johnson and Kohlenberg at the workshop “Live with Awareness, Courage and Love Meetups: Bringing Functional Analytic Psychotherapy to the General Public” at the 16th World Conference of Association for Contextual Behavioral Science in Montreal, Canada
• 11/2017 | Coleader with Francis Lemay at the workshop “Therapist self-care and physical/artistic activities : preliminary self-observations with the use of the CRAPS log” at the 3rd annual colloquium of the Québec chapter of ACBS, in Québec, Canada
• 03-06/2017 | One semester instructor about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the MA in Counselling and Psychotherapy at the Metropolitan College, Athens, Greece
• 06/2017 | 2 hour workshop in “The Science of Arts in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy” at the ACBS World Conference in Seville, Spain.
• 02/2017 | 3 hour workshop in “Introduction in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy” at the University of Cyprus, Cyprus.
• 04/2016 | 4 hour workshop in “Functional Analytic Psychotherapy” as part of the Lesson “Psychopathology II: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Adult Psychopathology” at the MSc of Clinical Psychology at the University of Athens, Greece.
• 03/2016 | One day workshop “Story Writing as an Evocative Tool in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy” at the Greek Conference of the Greek Psychological Society.
• 10/2015 | 6 hour workshop in “Functional Analytic Psychotherapy” at the Greek Association of Behavioral Research.
• 02-04/2015 | Coleader in 8 week online training in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy with Peter Collis (certified trainer in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy).
• 01-12/2013 | One year mentoring at “Business Mentors”, the European project for women’ s entrepreneurship. Being awarded as a mentor.
• 2011 & 2012 | Training about “Creative Teaching and Motivation” at the Professional Training Center “Ergoway”.

Yates, H., Sanida, S. Tsai, M., Kohlenberg, R. (in press). Facilitate Memorable Terminations with Awareness, Courage and Love: Guidelines from Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). Psychotherapy.

Euthimiou, K., Eustathiou, G., Sanida, S., Alexopoulou, G. (2008). E-mentoring: guidance and vocational counseling to the alumni of the Democritus University of Thrace. Counseling and Guidance, 82-83. Journal published by the Hellenic Society of Counseling and Guidance.

Euthimiou, K., Eustathiou, G., Alexopoulou, G., Katsampa, E., Konsoulidou, E., Kontaxi, E., Kravariti, V., Leontiadou, A., Penesi, M., Sanida, S., (2007). Manual for the Case Management at the Department of Psychotherapy at the Institute of Behavior Research and Therapy. Athens:

Sanida, S. “Functional Analytic Psychotherapy”. 6th Greek Conference of Cognitive Therapies. Thessaloniki, October 2019.

Lopes, J., Tsai, M., Yates, H., Handelman, R., Johnson, D., Sanida, S. and Kohlenberg, R. “Live with Awareness, Courage and Love Meetups: Bringing Functional Analytic Psychotherapy to the General Public”. 16th World Conference of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Montreal, July 2018.

Sanida, S. “The Theory of B.F. Skinner as a Vehicle for Change in Therapeutic Relationship”. 3rd Conference of the Hellenic Community of Behavior Analysis, Athens, December 2017.

Sanida, S. “Motivating Change in Depression”. Greek Conference of the Greek Association of Physiotherapists, Athens, May 2017.

Sanida, S. “Writing Personalized Metaphorical Stories for Clients – An Evocative and Reinforcing Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP) Intervention”. 4th Nordic Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. Copenhagen, November 2016.

Sanida, S. “Can we ‘play’ freely?”. World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Ergonomia, April 2016.

Sanida, S. “Modern Therapeutic Approaches: Functional Analytic Psychotherapy”. Greek Conference of the Greek Psychological Society. Athens, March, 2016.

Sanida, S. Symposium about “New Therapeutic Approaches for the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder.” Presentation of  “Functional Analytic Psychotherapy or the Treatment of Borderline Personality Disorder”. 4th East European Psychiatric Congress & 3rd Preventive Psychiatry International Congress. Athens, November 2015

Sanida, S. Writing Personalized Metaphorical Stories for your Clients: an Evocative and Reinforcing Functional Analytic Psychotherapy Intervention”. 4th East European Psychiatric Congress & 3rd Preventive Psychiatry International Congress με θέμα “. Athens, November 2015.

Sanida, S. Stress Management. World Day for Safety and Health at Work, Ergonomia, April 2015.

Sanida, S., Hoekstra, R., Kanter, J., Mandell, T., McKelvie, M., Yates, H. Online Group Training in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy. 4rth Greek Conference in e-Mental Health, Athens, March 2015. The presentation was awarded by the Organizational Committee of the Conference.

Sanida, S. Presentation of a case study according to Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP). 1st Conference of the Hellenic Community of Behavior Analysis, Athens, December 2013.

Sanida, S. Story writing as a form of case formulation. 7th International Congress of Cognitive Psychotherapy. “Clinical Science”, Istanbul, June 2011.

Rakitzi, S., Euthimiou, K., Sanida, S. First results of an ongoing study in Greece. Evaluation of the effectiveness of IPT (Integrated Psychological Therapy) in Greek population. 2nd European Conference on Schizophrenia, Berlin, September 2009.

Rakitzi, S., Leontiadou, A., Sanida, S.  Peer-group supervision in cognitive behavioral therapy: a case example. World Mental Health Congress of the World Federation for Mental Health, Athens, September 2009.

Sanida, S. The pilot study of  IPT (Integrated Psychological Therapy) in Greek population. Personal experience as a co-facilitator. Symposium about Biopsychosocial interventions in Schizophrenia, Athens, May 2009.

Sanida, S. Pathological Gambling: Description of the Disorder and the Greek Reality. Symposium by the Psychiatric Hospital in Attica, International Day Against Drugs, Athens, May 2006.

Sanida, S. Pathological Gambling. 10th Panhellenic Conference of Psychological Research of the Greek Psychological Society, December 2005

• American Psychological Association (APA)
• Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
• British Psychological Society (BPS)
• European Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Therapies (EABCT)
• Greek Association for Behavioral Research (GABR)

• 2015 – 2018 | Chair of the Special Interest Group in Functional Analytic Psychotherapy of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)
• 2019 – today | Treasurer of the Greek-Cypriot Chapter of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science (ACBS)

• 09/11 – 12/13 | Advisory Board, Athens WING, Women’s International Networking Group, NGO supporting professionally-minded, international and Greek women.
• 09/05 – 12/09 | Volunteer Psychologist, Community Health Center, Likovrisi, Greece.