Ary Christofidis, MSW, Ph.D., LCP

FOUNDER & DIRECTOR OF OCCI

My Background

Bringing Our Faith With Us

Dr. Christofidis is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. He sees adults who are struggling with depression, anxiety, marital conflict, and family discord. Dr. Christofidis also treats youth, ages 10 and older, who are struggling with emotional and family issues and clients who are dealing with a diagnosis of cancer, assisting them with the emotional challenges that accompany the disease. His approach in working with clients includes elements of Cognitive Behavioral, Psychodynamic and Family Systems therapies. The foundation of his approach to therapy comes from his three years of study at Hellenic College/Holy Cross School of Theology and the teachings of the Orthodox Christian Church. Prior to attending graduate school, he lived in Thessaloniki Greece in 1989 where he studied modern Greek language and took several trips to the Holy Mountain, Mount Athos.

Dr. Christofidis received two graduate degrees from the University of Pittsburgh: a Masters in Clinical Social Work and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology. He has worked in two psychiatric hospitals, three university counseling centers, and a residential treatment facility. Dr. Christofidis received intensive training in family therapy from The Family Therapy Center at Western Psychiatric Institute and Clinic in 1993.

His most recent clinical experiences include working six years as a contract psychologist at The Family Institute of Northwestern University and seven years as a part-time psychologist at the Cancer Wellness Center in Northbrook Illinois.

Dr. Christofidis is a nationally recognized speaker within the Pan-Orthodox community and has been a guest speaker on “Come Receive the Light” radio program on the Orthodox Christian Network.. He has led clergy and clergy wives retreats and Family Synaxis seminars. He is a regular guest speaker at parish events in the Chicago area. In 2013 he was a keynote speaker at the “Pastoral Challenges in Marriage” Conference at Holy Cross Seminary. In 2014 the Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago appointed Dr. Christofidis to be the permanent representative to the Network of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Pastoral Health Care.

Randa Karadsheh Anderson, Ph.D.,LCP

My Background

Bringing Our Faith With Us

Dr. Randa Anderson is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist who treats adults, adolescents, and children in her part-time private practice. She works with individuals experiencing anxiety, depression, grief & loss, divorce, and relationship conflicts. Managing stress, anger, and adjustments to significant life changes are also a frequent focus of treatment. Dr. Anderson often treats women struggling with parenting and marriage issues. Young adults frequently seek her services for guidance in career development and relationship concerns. With a background in Cognitive-Behavioral therapy, she works collaboratively with clients to improve emotional, physical and spiritual well-being. She offers a safe and supportive environment in which to explore underlying issues contributing to current problems.

Dr. Anderson received her Doctorate in Psychology from The University of Chicago. She completed her clinical psychology training at the University of Chicago Hospital and at Michael Reese Hospital and Medical Center. For over 20 years, she worked as a staff psychologist at the Bradley Counseling Center in Lake County, where she provided outpatient psychotherapy, as well as taught child psychotherapy seminars and supervised graduate students.

Dr. Anderson is committed to offering her professional knowledge and skills to the Orthodox Christian community through volunteer work. She is the President of the Orthodox Christian Association of Medicine, Psychology and Religion (www.OCAMPR.org). She also is a consultant to the Mental Health Ministries of the Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops (https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/ministries/mentalhealth/), and she co-chaired the working group that developed the National Directory of Orthodox Mental Health Providers (https://www.assemblyofbishops.org/directories/mental-health/). Through the Thriving in Ministries program (www.thrivingorthodox.org), Dr. Anderson facilitates peer learning groups for clergy wives in the Chicago area. She has been a guest speaker on various programs for both the Orthodox Christian Network and Ancient Faith Radio.

Kristine Kallimani, LMHC

My Background

Bringing Our Faith With Us

Kristine is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who works with individual adults. She maintains a general practice of counseling and treats a wide array of life’s problems, including depression, adult ADHD, and adjustment issues such as loss of a loved one, job loss or becoming a new parent. Kristine is experienced in treating trauma and abuse. She also counsels women who are experiencing post-partum depression.
Kristine completed a Master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling at the University of Miami in 1997. She has counseled at the Loyola University Sexual Dysfunction Clinic, at the Porter Starke Services, Inc. Mental Health Practice in Northwest Indiana, and at the Barry University Center for Advanced Learning. In addition, Kristine has worked with cancer patients.

Prior to pursuing her degree in counseling, Kristine studied theology for one year under the guidance of Metropolitan Kallistos Ware. This life changing experience prompted Kristine to choose a career in counseling within the context of the Orthodox faith. Kristine is an active volunteer in her parish community and has done mission work at Project Mexico.

Betty Sellas Paganis, LICSW

My Background

Bringing Our Faith With Us

Betty is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, licensed in Illinois and Massachusetts. She is also a Certified Psychosynthesis Life Coach. Betty attaind her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois at Chicago, Jane Addams College of Social Work.

She works with adults seeking to cope with issues such as loss, anxiety, depression, life transitions and those who seek to identify and overcome obstacles that prevent them from growing personally or professionally. She draws upon a variety of treatment modalities on order to address a clients needs.

She works part-time at Hellenic College Holy Cross in Brookline, MA, and especially enjoys working with college and graduate students.

Previously, Betty worked as a school social worker for over two decades with children ranging in age from early childhood through elementary school.

Betty has a deep love for Orthodox Christian Missions. She is a founding member of Mission Team Chicago, a pan Orthodox group that supports the work of the Orthodox Christian Mission Center. Betty has participated on short-term mission teams to Uganda and Alaska, as well as on a work team at Project Mexico.

Fr. Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT

Spiritual Consultant

My Background

Bringing Our Faith With Us

Father Charles Joanides, Ph.D., LMFT, has been married for 47 years. He and his spouse have two children and four grandchildren.

Fr. Charles has served both small and large churches. From 1997-2014, he directed the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese’s outreach ministry to intermarried couples and their families. Fr. Charles has authored several books on outreach and evangelism, marital well-being, and inter-marriage concerns. His writings have appeared in numerous professional journals, magazines and newspapers. He has also been a featured speaker at numerous local and national conferences.

Fr. Charles is a licensed marriage and family therapist, a clinical member of the American Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, and an approved supervisor. Since retiring from active ministry in 2014, he taught marital and family therapy at Nyack College in the Alliance Graduate School of Counseling from 2011- 2021.

He continues to consult with individuals, couples, and families who struggle with medical, emotional, and mental health disorders. His latest book is Making Disciples of all Nations: 101 Tried and Tested Orthodox Church Outreach Practices You Can Implement In Your Parish. He is revising Attending to Your Marriage: A Resource for Christian Couples and When you Intermarry: A Resource for Inter-Christian and Intercultural couples, Parents and Families. Both resources will be available early 2025.