My Story

​​Who Is Parthena?

I was born in Greece and came to the United States as a young girl full of dreams and determination. In high school, my teachers and classmates struggled with my Greek name, so I chose "Denise" — a name I thought would help me belong. For decades, most people have known me that way. But I'm reclaiming Parthena now, because the work I do is fundamentally about this: the profound human need to feel seen, understood, and valued for exactly who you are.

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That experience — of wanting to belong, of needing someone to truly see you — never left me. It became the foundation of everything I do as a therapist, an educator, a researcher, and a leader.

Creative Thinking Strategies carries a meaning close to my heart. The letters C, T, and S stand for my three children: Christian, Tyler, and Savannah. Because everything I build is ultimately about people, legacy, and the kind of world we create when we lead with intention and love.

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My Background 

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I hold two Master's degrees from Pepperdine University — one in Psychology and one in Clinical Psychology — and I am completing my PhD in Business Psychology and Consulting at The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. My doctoral research focuses on the development and sustainability of mindful leadership practices — because I believe that becoming a better leader isn't a one-time event. It's a lifelong, intentional practice.

As a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist with over 14 years of experience, I have sat across from people in their most vulnerable moments. What I've learned is this: at the heart of almost every personal and professional struggle is a fundamental human need — the need to feel that someone truly sees you, understands you, and cares about you as a person. Not just as a role. Not just as a number.

That truth is just as powerful in the boardroom as it is in the therapy room.

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Therapy for Individual Adults

In my therapy practice, I specialize in treating anxiety disorders and burnout in adults (18+). Licensed in California and practicing exclusively via telehealth, I help my clients move past the "what-ifs" of anxiety and build practical, sustainable coping skills. My goal is to help you find clarity and calm in a high-pressure world.

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Business Consulting, Speaking & Training

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My consulting, speaking, and training work is designed for leaders, organizations, and teams who are ready to lead differently. Drawing on my clinical background, business psychology training, and doctoral research on mindful leadership, I help leaders at all levels recognize the profound human impact of their role.

The leaders I work with learn how to create environments where people feel genuinely seen and valued — not just managed. They learn how to lead with emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and purpose. And they learn how to integrate emerging technologies like AI into their leadership practice without losing their humanity in the process.

Whether you are an individual leader looking to grow, a small business building its culture, or a corporation ready to transform how your teams are led — I offer keynotes, workshops, consulting, and customized training programs that deliver real, lasting change.

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My Approach

​Whether I am working with a therapy client, a leadership team, or a conference audience, my approach is the same: active, direct, human, and outcome-oriented. I don't just help you understand the why behind your challenges — I give you the how to move forward with purpose, clarity, and confidence.

I believe that the best leaders aren't the ones with the most impressive titles. They're the ones whose people feel genuinely understood and cared for. That's what I help create.

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Education & Professional Credentials

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The Chicago School of Professional Psychology

• PhD in Business Psychology (In Progress)

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Pepperdine University

• Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology

• Master of Arts in Psychology

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​Argosy University

• Bachelor's in Psychology 

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World Coach Institute

• Certified Life & Professional Coach

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License & Certification

• Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist  / State of California 

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Additional specialized training in Trauma-Focused CBT, Mindfulness Intervention, and Applied Behavioral Analysis.

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