Anna K. Mavrelos MSc, MAT, CCATP-CA, ASDCS, CIMHP

Anna K. Mavrelos
MSc, MAT, CCATP-CA, ASDCS, CIMHP
I am a Greek/American born and raised in the United States. Coming from an immigrant family that
had its ups and downs. I was raised in a tight-knit community surrounded by others who experienced
similar struggles. One of the issues we all had was language, especially expressive language. I spoke
mainly Greek till the age of six, which was an issue because I had an accent in English, which I was aware
of. To cope with the stress and anxiety of speaking, I became silent (selective mutism) for almost a
year. After that year, a stuttering problem developed that I still deal with today when anxiety shows its
ugly face. This then spread in my written language as I also have dyslexia (undiagnosed). I had hardships
as a child, especially in school, but I learned how to cope. I learned how to “live with it.” But it doesn’t
have to be that way. My issues started from being an anxious child with minor learning difficulties. If
only my parents had the resources that are available today. How different would my life be?

At the age of 23, after receiving my bachelor’s degree in psychology and a Master’s degree in
education from a university in my hometown of Baltimore, Maryland. I fulfilled my dream of moving to
New York City. My experience as a teacher in the NYC public school system taught me what “real”
empathy means, what cultural diversity is, and how to live and work blissfully in a multicultural
environment. I saw the same struggles I had in those students, but this time, I could help because I
could recognize the actions of an anxious child struggling.

Thirteen years later, I fulfilled my next lifelong dream of living in Greece. This was always very
important to my immigrant parents, who had always taught us the importance of respecting our
roots. While in Greece, I became the co-creator and co-owner of a children’s center in Glyfada called
Pedopolis. In my experience in NY and Greece, I learned that some issues are very similar, no matter the
child’s economic status or family dynamics. At this point in my career, I didn’t want to be just an
educator. I wanted to take a deeper and more active role when being with children and their families. I
wanted to “marry” my two professions into one.

My desire to work with children, young adults, and their families led to me receiving a Master’s Degree
in Clinical Psychology. Returning to my first degree after twenty years as an educator seemed like a
natural transition. After getting my degree, I opened my private practice, became a full-time member of
Roots Wellness Center, and became a professor in a college in Athens, teaching in the education and
psychology departments.

In my private practice, I work individually with adults, children, young adults, and their different family
members. Many parents worry about their children, their current feelings, and how this can affect their
future. Parents later understand that it isn’t only the child’s issue but a family issue because it affects the
entire family. Parents also realize, in time, that they need to heal their “inner child” to become the
parents they always wanted to be. I applaud parents who want to do the best for their children and
their entire family, and I’m grateful to be a part of that journey.

Group therapy has also been a passion of mine. Being an educator, I am used to leading groups of
people that seem different between them but have a common thread. I enjoy my work with groups,
especially with clients who see the benefit of a “tribe” that work together for a common goal. I work
with various groups and subgroups of children, young adults, families, and caregivers.

Being in therapy is a journey for my clients and myself. I feel the vulnerability of being a human but
the security that we are all in this together. After each session, I can sense a change in my clients and in
myself, and that’s when my mother’s words come to mind, “As long as I’m alive, I’m changing.”

Anna K. Mavrelos
MSc, MAT, CCATP-CA, ASDCS, CIMHP
Psychotherapist, Certified Clinical Child and Adolescent Anxiety Treatment Professional, Certified Autism
Spectrum Disorder Clinical Specialist, Certified Integrative Mental Health Professional, Cognitive
Behavioral Psychotherapy