About George Papageorge, MFT

George Petros Papageorge, MFT, Family Wellness Ministry Director is a licensed psychotherapist, specializing in marriage and family counseling, and a popular seminar speaker who is in high demand nationwide. Working in the areas of empathy-based relationships, parenting with emotional intelligence, family systems therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy and addiction recovery, George offers patients a path toward integrating sensible psychological insights within a solid Orthodox foundation. He holds bachelor’s degrees in psychology and ancient biblical literature from Simpson College and a Master of Arts degree in marriage and family therapy from Azusa Pacific University. He is also Adjunct professor in the Graduate School for Family Therapy at Santa Clara University. George and his wife Kim have two grown children, Olivia, and Petros.

Why Connection Counts: Parenting From the Heart

March 16, 2022 by George Papageorge, MFT

The Property Value Principle We've heard it said that real estate is one of our best investments. According to experts there are three factors that contribute to the value of real estate, as well as helping property maintain its worth during difficult times: location, location, location! As we take a moment to reflect on our parenting efforts and consider viewing our kids as our most valued investment, we find that similar principles apply. Much like the real estate principle, ... [Read more]

Where Are You?

March 13, 2019 by George Papageorge, MFT

Good therapy helps a person to get clearer on who they are. Where we are with ourselves, where we are with our relationships, where we are with our personal habits and ultimately where we are with our connection with God. Self reflection is a courageous choice of those who seek a healthy life. Socrates is known for saying, “The unexamined life is not worth living." Viktor Frankl, a famous Austrian psychiatrist and holocaust survivor wrote: “When we are no longer able to ... [Read more]

Jesus and New Year’s Resolutions

January 6, 2017 by George Papageorge, MFT

We can likely create support groups based on a lifetime of well-intentioned—but failed—New Year’s resolutions. The new year, optimistically, offers another chance to get it right—better diet, better budget, better life. In 2017, I will reflect on what I didn't get right in 2016 and aim for a course correction within the next 365 days, when I will take self-inventory again. There is something about the idea of “new” that seems to give us hope. A new kitchen will magically make us better hosts. ... [Read more]

Beyond Ethnicity: The Role of Emotional Culture on Family Dynamics

July 21, 2016 by George Papageorge, MFT

Our daughter Olivia was five and our son Petros was a newborn when we saw the now legendary movie, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, starring Nia Vardalos for the first time in 2002. Though many regard it as a comedy, we perceive it more of a documentary—a movie that was plenty hilarious, a bit haunting and something we as Greek Americans can be proud of and at the same time—humbled. My wife, Kim, and I find it ironic and timely that the main character’s (Toula) baby girl in the stroller in the ... [Read more]