Department of Psychology

Brief CV

I graduated from the School of Law at the Αristotle University of Thessaloniki and obtained my MSc from the School of Law /The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in Criminology. Furthermore I studied Philosophy, Pedagogy and Psychology at the School of Philosophy – The National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Finally, I received my Ph.D. degree from the School of Law /National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in Criminology (“Suicides in the Greek Prison System”). I was the President of the Board of “The Central Scientific Council for Treating Victimization and Juvenile Delinquency / KESATHEA”- the Greek Ministry of Justice and a member of many Greek law making committees

Career Development

• The Greek Ombudsman – Department of Children’s Rights (2003-2007)
  
  • Senior Investigator
• University of Crete (2007 – Today)
  
  • Faculty Member
• Other
  
  • Defence for Children International (NGO)/Section The Netherlands – Criminologist ( (1999-2002)
  • Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam – Faculty of Clinical Psychology – Researcher (1998-1999)

Research Interests

My main research interests are in the field of: a) Violations of Human Rights during in imprisonment, Mental Health in Prisons, Prevention of suicide and self-harm during deprivation of liberty, children of imprisoned parents and b) Child sexual abuse and Forensic Interviews of Alleged Child Sexual Abuse Victims. I have a great experience in working with vulnerable groups and has participated in numerous training and scientific programs related to their victimization.

Research Grants

• “AWARE “Cross-sectoral awareness building on mental health needs in the criminal justice system and on release”. Erasmus+ (9/2018-12/201).
• “Changing Attitudes among teenagers on Cyber Violence against Women and Girls – CYBERSAFE“, REC-AG-2017/REC-RDAP-GBV-AG-2017 (12/2018-12/2020).
• “Α New beginning in Greek schools EPAL – MIS 50225490)– Institute of Educational Policy (IDP)/Ministry of Education, (2019-2020)
• Development of a “at a Distance” Counselling Skills for professionals in the field of councelling Women Victims of Domestic or Sexual Violence or Abuse.” Erasmus+ (12/2017 – 11/2019).
• “European Prison Observatory. Detention Conditions in the European Union” JUST/2011-2012/JPEN/AG (12/2013-01/02/2015).

Selected Publications

• Themeli, O. & Panagiotaki, M. (2014). Forensic interviews with children victims of sexual abuse: The role of the counselling psychologist. The European Journal of Counselling Psychology, 3(1), 1-19.
• Giovazolias, T. & Themeli, O. (2013) Social learning conceptualization for substance abuse: Implications for therapeutic interventions The European Journal of Counselling Psychology, 3(1), 69-88.
• Giovazolias, T. & Themeli. (2013). The role of father involvement in children’s bullying behavior: An overview of the literature. In K. Dekker & M. Dijkstra (Eds). School Bullying: Predictive Factors, Coping Strategies and Effects on Mental Health (pp. 211-225). New York: NOVA Publishers
• Themeli, Ο. (2010). Women and the Pains of Imprisonment: Does Gender Matter?
  Ιn: A. Renshaw and E. Suárez (Εd.). Violent Crime and Prisons: Population, Health Conditions and Recidivism (pp. 227-238) Nova Publishers.
• Giovazolias, T., & Themeli, O. (2010). Counseling in Prison: Problems and Challenges Ιn: A. Renshaw and E. Suárez (Εd.). Violent Crime and Prisons: Population, Health Conditions and Recidivism (pp. 255-266). Nova Publishers.

Courses offered at the Undergraduate Level

• Criminological Psychology (PSY -3504)
• Criminology (PSY-2503)
• Interviewing Techniques in Child Abuse Cases (Sem 3510)
• Issues in Correctional Psychology (Sem 3509)