Professional Background

I am Efstratia Gountoudaki, a Social Worker and Trauma-Informed Counsellor based in Greece, with more than twenty years of professional experience supporting individuals affected by violence, trauma and complex interpersonal dynamics.

Throughout my career, I have worked across a wide range of social care settings, including community support services, special education and multidisciplinary teams. For more than twelve years, I served at the Counselling Centre of Komotini (General Secretariat for Equality and Human Rights / KETHI), providing psychosocial support to women affected by gender-based violence.

Today, through Metamorphosis Path, I provide specialised online counselling and psychosocial support for adults experiencing workplace bullying (mobbing), emotional abuse, coercive and controlling relationships, narcissistic abuse dynamics and the long-term impact of psychological trauma.

My work is grounded in a trauma-informed approach, recognising that traumatic experiences affect not only emotions and thoughts but also the body, relationships and a person's sense of identity.

Drawing from Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) principles, I integrate a compassionate and non-judgemental perspective into my work, supporting individuals in developing greater self-understanding, emotional regulation and resilience while rebuilding a sense of safety and self-trust.

Alongside my professional experience, I have completed postgraduate training in Positive Psychology at Panteion University and continue my professional development in Compassion Focused Therapy (CFT) through the Greek Center for Compassion Focused Therapy. I believe that continuous learning, reflective practice and clinical supervision are essential when working with people who have experienced violence and trauma.

I am also the author of two books exploring psychological violence, abusive relationship dynamics and the hidden emotional consequences of trauma. My writing reflects years of professional practice, careful observation and a deep commitment to giving voice to experiences that often remain unseen or misunderstood.

At the heart of my work lies a simple belief:

No one should have to face violence, manipulation or psychological abuse alone.

Whether through counselling, education or writing, my mission is to help people recognise harmful patterns, reconnect with their own inner resources and move towards recovery with knowledge, dignity and hope.