Maria Chrysanthou, BA
Counselling Psychologist
“I know people can change—right down to my bones... It’s just a question of when and in what context.” -V.Satir
My name is Maria Chrysanthou, a registered psychologist (reg. no. 1005), a trainee systemic psychotherapist, and specialized in Therapeutic Horseback Riding. I hold a degree in Psychology (BA) from the University of Cyprus and a master’s degree (MSc) in Counseling Psychology from the University of Nicosia.
I am undertaking a four-year professional training in Systemic Psychotherapy at the Systemic Family Institute of Cyprus that covers a broad range of clinical presentations, couples therapy, individual therapy, family therapy, and group therapy. I have also completed the first level of training in Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT).
Additionally, driven by my love of sport, I completed a training programme in Sports Psychology offered by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, through which I gained knowledge of psychological preparation, confidence and anxiety in sports, athletic performance, and goal setting. The programme also covered the psychology of sports injuries, coach and athlete leadership, athletes’ personality types, the influence of spectators, and team cohesion, among other topics.
Passionate about horses, I have received specialized training in Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding. Experiential interventions involving horses aim to support individuals holistically in addressing any psychological, neurodevelopmental, or motor difficulties. They can also be combined with office-based psychotherapy.
My Philosophy
“The act of revealing oneself fully to another and still being accepted may be the major vehicle of therapeutic help.” -I. Yalom
I believe in the transformative power of human connection and self-discovery. I do not see a person as a “problem” that needs to be fixed, but as a unique individual with many facets, continually shaped by their experiences and environments.
I approach each person with respect and genuine curiosity about their strengths, values, roles within relationships, recurring patterns in which they may feel stuck, and inner conflicts that influence how they think, feel, and act.
Within the therapeutic relationship, we work together to create an authentic, safe space grounded in acceptance, trust, and understanding, free from judgment. There are no predetermined solutions. I believe that each person is the expert on their own life, while the therapist accompanies them on their journey towards discovering the inner resources. From there, their own answers can emerge, at their own pace.
The aim is to inspire individuals in developing more functional patterns, new meanings and skills that enable them to relate to themselves and others with greater awareness, flexibility, resilience, and a more balanced approach to life’s challenges.
My primary therapeutic framework is the systemic approach. When appropriate, I integrate tools from other contemporary, evidence-based models, such as existential, narrative, psychodynamic, CBT approaches etc., depending on each person’s personality and goals.
My Experience
Part of my undergraduate studies involved exploring antisocial behaviour and callous-unemotional (CU) traits. My interest in military psychology was reflected in my thesis, which explored the adjustment of Cypriot soldiers in the National Guard.
Throughout my clinical experience, I have collaborated with the Therapeutic Community ‘Agia Skepi’, where my work primarily focused on substance abuse recovery, as well as with the KESY (Centre for Therapy, Training and Research), the Multifunctional Centre "Agios Ioannis Eleimon" and the Centre of Hippotherapy and Therapeutic Riding Cyprus. To date, I have worked with individuals and groups experiencing a wide range of difficulties, including anxiety, depression, trauma, personality disorders, psychosomatic symptoms, addictions, obsessive-compulsive difficulties, phobias, relationship and family difficulties, occupational burnout, grief, issues relating to identity, career guidance, autism, and ADHD, among others.
I currently provide psychotherapy and counselling at The Safe Place Project, both in person and online, for adults and adolescents, couples, groups, families, and parents experiencing a range of psychological difficulties. I also deliver psychoeducational workshops/lectures and provide Equine-Assisted Psychotherapy for individuals of all ages.
For me, it is a blessing to encounter people’s souls and to be allowed to look beyond the obvious! You can find out more about my approach and my experience through my social media accounts
