From Chicago To Athens: A Conversation With Psychologist Andriana Mitrakos

We sat down with Andriana  Mitrakos, a Greek-American psychologist who grew up in Chicago with Greek parents and moved to Athens in 2017.

With a background in psychology and a Master’s in Clinical Neuropsychology, Andriana provides counseling through  Apeiron, her English-speaking therapy practice geared towards expats, digital nomads, and international students living in Greece.

“I am driven by my passion for creating environments in which individuals can freely and confidently tell their story, discover new interests and passions, evolve, and pursue a life authentic to them,” she shares.

What brought her to Greece? A strong cultural connection, a desire to live closer to her roots, and the opportunity to create a meaningful practice that supports others navigating transitions and personal growth far from home.

In our conversation, we talked about her journey from the U.S. to Greece, what it’s like running a therapeutic practice in Athens, the values that guide her work, and her advice for anyone thinking about starting a new life here.

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If you’d like to book a counseling session with Andriana, click here.

A: It was actually a mix of both. Growing up in the US, I used to come to Greece every summer with my family. We’d vacation here and spend time with our relatives. I also had a lot of friends growing up here, and I noticed some differences in the way kids lived. There was something about the lifestyle that really appealed to me.

So even from a young age, I was curious about the idea of living here. Then after I finished college in the US, I came to Greece one summer… and I just didn’t take my return flight back. It was spontaneous, but also something that had been building up inside me for a while. And I’ve been here ever since.

A: That’s a tough one. I always tell this story from my first year living in Greece. I met a couple from the US and they told me, “It takes four to five years to really feel like a new place is home.” At the time, I thought, wow, that’s such a long time. But in reality, they were absolutely right. Around the four-year mark, after spending time in Athens, building a life, discovering what I loved here... I visited the US again, and on the flight back to Greece, I realized this felt like going home.

So, yes, Athens feels like home now. Of course, Chicago will always be home too; my family is there, I grew up there, it’s full of memories and experiences that shaped me. But Athens is my home in the present. I feel very comfortable here.

A: My parents did a really good job of keeping our Greek culture alive while we were growing up in the US. We went to Greek school, learned the language, celebrated traditions, all of it. So when I moved here, I didn’t feel like a complete outsider. I already felt connected, on a certain level, with the people and the culture.

Of course, there were adjustments. The pace here is very different from the US, and that was a bit of a challenge at first. But learning to slow down and really focus on the things I care about, not just rushing through work or life, was something I needed. I think I’ve found a nice balance between both worlds. Each culture brings something different, and I feel lucky to be shaped by both.

A: Currently, I offer sessions in English, for anyone who feels more comfortable expressing themselves that way. That can include people from other countries, but also Greeks who’ve lived abroad and just find they connect to certain thoughts or feelings better in English.

As humans, we all go through similar experiences, challenges, emotional struggles, transitions. But for expats or people who have lived outside of Greece, when they return, it can be hard to reconnect with old friends, colleagues, or the culture. Things may not feel the same anymore. They might struggle to reintegrate.

Because I’ve had to do that myself; move, adjust, balance between two cultures, make new friendships, work in a new country, face language barriers - I can relate to that on a personal level. I know how complex it is to lean into that discomfort and eventually grow through it. That helps me guide clients through their thoughts, emotions, and difficult decisions they may have to make as they discover different parts of themselves. We work together on figuring out who they want to be in this new place, what they want to carry with them, and what they want to grow into.

A: “Apeiron” is a word that’s unique and meaningful to me. It means limitless, infinite and unbounded  in Greek and it reflects the idea that human beings are capable of so much exploration and evolution. Because we can visualize, conceptualize, and inspire to such big ideas and dreams , we’re also capable of reaching and realizing them.

Personally, I’ve always had many interests, and often heard things like “you need to pick one and let go of the rest.” But that never really worked for me and I know it doesn’t for many others either. So the idea behind Apeiron is about self-discovery and embracing that your path might be multifaceted. It’s about recognizing what thoughts, patterns, and systems may be holding you back, and figuring out how to move forward in an authentic way, one that reflects all the parts of you. The possibilities are endless.

A: They've all been transformative in different ways. I’ll go by age. Working with teenagers and young adults who are just beginning to build their identity—separate from what their parents or society might expect or impose—was a great experience. Seeing them take risks, be courageous, and get excited about exploring new things was something I really enjoyed. Watching these teens bravely go off to distant countries to study so far away from home, with a zest for life was always a great feeling. I loved being part of helping them take some of the first steps in that journey of becoming “your own person.” 

After that, I worked in senior care centers, with people who have lived long lives through such different times and difficulties. Listening to their stories, stories of resilience, community, family, and long-standing friendships, was incredibly enlightening. It highlighted time and time again the importance of human connection, which can sometimes feel like it’s wearing down in today’s world, and which is often a huge pain point for individuals living far from their home country. Working with these individuals, especially residents of the memory clinics, was also a constant reminder to cherish the “small things” in life: your favorite song, telling a joke with a friend, sitting out in the sun, eating a meal together. 

Now, I work mostly with young adults and adults. People who are motivated, curious, and still looking to discover parts of themselves that may have stayed hidden. Self-exploration takes courage, and it’s amazing to see that it really doesn’t matter what age you are; you can always decide to look deeper, to ask more questions, to hear new perspectives, and to try something different. That’s a big part of what Apeiron is about. You’re never stuck. Life can sometimes make us feel that way, but we can always take our  “immediate next step” - the step that will take you on the path toward clarity, understanding, growth, and authenticity. 

A: One of my core values is just being human; acknowledging that we are human. That means we’ll make mistakes, face challenges, and won’t always know what to do. But it also means we can reflect, shift our perspective, learn and grow. “Being human” is about being open to the experience, in whatever form it comes, and recognizing that we’re all going through our own personal journeys, living life for the first time. 

My other two core values are embracing change and growing from within. Embracing change doesn’t mean we have to be constantly changing ourselves, but rather accepting that life is always shifting. Things won’t stay constant, and flexibility is key to moving forward in an authentic way.

Growing from within means trusting that we already have what we need to take the “immediate next step.” It's about understanding where you are now, your strengths, your limitations, your thought patterns… and clearing the path so that the most authentic parts of you can bloom and help you move toward where you want to be. We typically have the answers we need inside ourselves, counseling and therapy provides an environment and practice that allows us to bring those answers to light, accept them, and use them to propel us forward. 

A: Right now, I love Athens. It really has everything you need, and more. One of the things I appreciate most is how diverse the city feels. Each neighborhood has its own completely unique vibe. That kind of contrast makes Athens feel like a city full of possibilities. It’s constantly shifting, surprising you, almost like Apeiron, where there’s no fixed limit to what’s possible.

Greece in general is amazing in that way. You’re never too far from a total change of scenery. You can go from the mountains to the beach in no time. So it’s easy to find your own rhythm, your own place.

As for moving elsewhere, I haven’t seriously thought about living in another part of Greece yet, but I’m open to it. It really depends on what opportunities come up. Since my sessions are online, technically I could work from anywhere. But for me, the remote lifestyle can sometimes be hectic. My work requires a  quiet, private, stable environment.. So working from  cafés, or moving around a lot is not really great for me. I like to have a calm, consistent space where I can fully focus and be present for clients. 

A: It’s funny but I always feel like Athens is bigger than Chicago because of how dense the city is. There’s so much more to do here. Like I said, every neighborhood has its own energy, its own vibe, and different kinds of people. So there’s always variety. You never get bored. Even in terms of entertainment, there’s always something going on.

Chicago, by contrast, feels smaller, not in size, but in structure. It has a more consistent feel across neighborhoods. But I love Chicago too; it’s cozy, it’s comfortable. It’s cold, but I like that sometimes. Autumn and spring in Chicago, especially, are beautiful. Winter, not so much. But there’s a coziness I appreciate.

Athens, on the other hand, feels more versatile, but can also feel like a concrete jungle. There's a different kind of energy in the U.S. too, sometimes more inspiring or motivational, just because of how things are structured. In Greece, the pace is slower, and people focus on different things. So it takes more self-motivation and grind, which can be a challenge if you haven’t found your community yet.

A: At first, yes, it was definitely a challenge, especially when it came to finding like-minded people, those who had also lived abroad or been exposed to different perspectives. That’s something a lot of expats experience, and even Greeks who have spent time abroad can relate. But over time, I found my community. 

Humans are not meant to do everything on their own, so self-motivation is needed to get you started and to keep you moving in the direction that will help you find, build, and maintain your own community. When you move through your life authentically, building your own routines and systems, it becomes much easier to find the people you really fit with. It takes time, but it is so important and worth the work and persistence. 

A: I’d say be patient, open, and curious. Don’t hesitate to ask others for guidance or help, and be ready to try new experiences. Curiosity goes a long way in discovering yourself, but also in truly and deeply understanding others and building a solid community. 

Athens is a welcoming city, and if you give it time and stay open, you’ll find your place.