Our Team

Mary Theodoropoulou

Mary Theodoropoulou, being an adoptee herself, started as an activist for the Rights of adult adoptees to search for their biological family in the beginning of 1995. In 1999, she founded the Non Governmental Organization Roots Research Center. Her goal is to advocate and promote the rights of adult adoptees and the rights of children in alternative care. Mary, through the NGO, played an important role in the promotion and support of alternative care in Greece with the goal of deinstitutionalization. In addition, she has contributed in the biological family search by hundreds of adult adoptees which provided her with a deep knowledge of the adoption systems in Greece over the last 100 years. Her book, “Maria 43668″ is a historical research of institutionalization, roots research and adoption in Greece.

During 2003-2006 she was trained by John Triseliotis, Emeritus Professor of Social Work at the University of Strathclyde, on adoption family search and reunion of biological families, foster care systems, support and counseling practices for careleavers and prospective adoption and foster parents. During her career she has received ongoing training by international organizations on deinstitutionalization and on roots research (Eurochild, Fairstart, IFCO, Hope and Homes). She is a member of International Organizations of adopted people who advocate for their right to their identity.

Representing Roots Research Center, she is a member of the European Network “EUROCHILD” for the “children without parental care” section, for many years. She has collaborated with European organizations and programs (in 2011 the Speak UP European program, in 2015-2017 national coordinator of the “opening doors for Europe’s children” European campaign and more). She has presented several speeches and proposals at international conferences such as Eurochild conferences in Brussels and other EU capitals and conferences by the European Expert Group (EEG) on the transition from institutional to community-based care. She has also contributed to the organization of national and international conferences in Greece.  

Today she counsels adult adoptees, prospective adoption and foster parents. She continues to actively pursue activism in defense of the rights of the Child, with the ultimate goal being the deinstitutionalization of children and young people living in care.

Tatiana E. Gorney

Tatiana E. Gorney earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology at Lancaster University UK. She obtained a Certificate and Diploma in Person Centered Counseling from the Institute of Counseling and Psychological Studies of Greece in collaboration with Strathclyde University of Glasgow. She continued her studies in the education of children and young people on the autism spectrum disorder at Arizona State University USA, were she received her Masters of Education (Med) with honors.

Since 2008 she has collaborated with Roots Research Center NGO, member of the European Network Eurochild and she is currently a member of the board. She has been trained in issues of deinstitutionalization from esteemed colleagues of the Eurochild network and from specialists of international organizations such as IFCO, FICE, Hope and Homes and more. She has specialized in developmental trauma and attachment for children with no parental care. She conducts training seminars for current or prospective foster parents and parents who have or want to adopt children and to professional that work in the field of institutional care with the goal of an effective alternative care in Greece.

Since 2023 she is a board member of the Institute of Dyadic Developmental Practice Worldwide (DDPI). She continues her education in Dyadic Developmental Psychotherapy and practice (DDP) which specializes in developmental trauma, family therapy and the therapy of children and young people with a history of abuse or neglect (DDP Level 1 and 2). In 2024 she became a trainee DDP PACE Trainer, supported by DDPI.

Anna Kalogianni

Anna Kalogianni is Social Worker graduated from the University of West Attica, She expertises in Deinstitutionalization & Child Protection and tracing birth family of adopted people. She is also specialized in counseling, training and supervision of foster parents and candidates foster parents.

Additionally, she has many years of experience in the sector of business as a Project Manager and Marketing Manager. She has also worked as a Social Worker in European Programs for the alleviation of poverty & family social and economical support. She volunteered in many organizations where she gained experience in networking social services and organizations as well as in the methods of Social Research, Social Work with individual, family and Social Work with Team. The target groups of her professional interest  are in Families, children, disabled and people who experience various socio-economic difficulties.