Vasilis Xernos is a Psychologist, Psychotherapist, and Sport Psychologist with a private practice in Athens, Greece.
He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Panteion University and a Master’s Degree in Exercise Psychology from the University of Thessaly. He is currently a PhD Candidate in Sport Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with research interests focusing on motivation, executive functions, and decision-making in sport.
Alongside his academic career, he has completed extensive training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP), as well as specialized training in Sport Psychology, Cognitive Assessment of Children and Adolescents (WISC-VGR), Career Guidance and Vocational Assessment, and Special Education.
In his private practice, he provides psychotherapy services to adults and adolescents, as well as parent counseling, supporting individuals facing challenges such as anxiety, panic attacks, interpersonal difficulties, self-esteem issues, life transitions, and a wide range of mental health and personal development concerns.
At the same time, he remains actively involved in the field of Sport Psychology, collaborating with athletes, coaches, and sports organizations across different sports and age groups. He previously served as Sport Psychologist at the Youth Academy of Olympiacos FC and continues to support athletes in areas such as performance enhancement, pressure management, confidence building, concentration, motivation, and mental preparation.
In the broader field of mental health, he has gained substantial clinical experience through his work in community mental health and addiction treatment services, including METAVASI NGO and the Greek Organization Against Drugs (OKANA). Through these roles, he has worked with adolescents, adults, and families facing a wide spectrum of psychological and emotional difficulties.
He believes that every individual possesses the potential for growth and meaningful change when provided with a safe, supportive, and scientifically grounded therapeutic environment. His goal is to help people gain deeper self-understanding, develop their personal strengths, and move toward a more balanced, meaningful, and authentic life.
Education
BSc in Psychology from the Panteion University (2012-2017)
MSc in Psychology of Exercise from the University of Thessaly (2017-2020)
Training in Intensive Short-Term Dynamic Psychotherapy (ISTDP) from the International Experiential Dynamic Therapy Association (IEDTA) (2017-2021)
Doctoral Studies in Sports Psychology at the National Kapodistrian University of Athens (2023-present)
Certificate in Psychology for High Performance Sports approved by Barça Innovation Hub (2018)
Certificate in Communication in Sports Organizations from Barça Innovation Hub (2020)
Certificate in Sport Psychology for Athletes Development from Barça Innovation Hub (2020)
Certificate in Special Education and Edification in Neurodevelopmental and Sensorial Disorders from National Kapodistrian University of Athens (2019-2020)
Certificate in Sales Instruction from Athens University of Economics (2019-2020)
Certified e-mellon® Career Guidance Counselor through ISON Psychometrica (2026)
Certificate in Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Fifth Edition, Greek Version (WISC-VGR) provided by Pearson Clinical (2026)
Professional Experience
Sports Psychologist at FC Olympiacos Academy (2022-2026)
Sport Psychologist in private practice collaborating with football, table tennis, tennis, and swimming professional and non-professional athletes (since 2018)
Psychologist-member of the interdisciplinary team of Metavasi NGO providing psychosocial rehabilitation services to children, adolescents, and adults (2019-2022)
Psychologist at the Averof Integrated Treatment Unit of Greek Organisation Against Drugs (OKANA) (2023-2024)
Country Representative of Greece for European Network of Young Specialists in Sport Psychology (ENYSSP) (since 2022)
Sport Psychologist at FC Apollon Smyrni Academy (2018-2019)
Sport Psychologist in Pefki Table Tennis SC (2018-2019)
Languages
English(C2)
French(Sorbonne C2)
Greek(Native)
Conferences
Virtual Applied Sport Psychology Summit (VASPS) (2019)
15th ENYSSP Conference in Trieste (2019)
European Dimensions of Sport & Exercise Psychology Intensive Course in Trikala (2018)
15th Panhellenic Conference of Psychological Research (2017)
Volunteer Experience
Psychologist providing psychological support to callers of the 10306 National Telephone Line for Psychosocial Support during COVID-19 (2020)
Tenants’ activities’ escort in Poreia Promotion of Psychosocial Health Centre (2015-2016)
Fire protection assistant in EDASA Volunteers Fire Protectors of Attiki (2015-2019)