Psychiatric Bulletin (2001) 25: 35. doi: 10.1192/pb.25.1.35
© 2001 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Psychiatric Bulletin (2001) 25: 35
© 2001 The Royal College of Psychiatrists
Professor John Constantine Boulougouris
Formerly Professor, Athens University, Greece, and a Foundation Affiliate of the Royal College of Psychiatrists
Nick Bouras
John Boulougouris was a Greek psychiatrist who trained and worked at the
Maudsley during the late 1960s. In England he was regarded by his
contemporaries for his work and his likeable and charming personality. He was
part of a group who developed clinical methods for the treatment of neurotic
disorders including neurotic depression. He participated in several clinical
studies and co-published influential articles on desensitisation and
‘flooding’ for phobias and obsessive—compulsive disorders.
John returned to Greece in 1973 and after fulfilling 1 year's compulsory
service as a psychiatrist in the mental hospital in his native town, Tripoli,
he was appointed senior lecturer at the Athens University Department of
Psychiatry. He joined a team of two other senior lecturers, all British
trained, and a newly appointed chairman, who all aspired to reform Greek
psychiatry. This was the beginning of the modernisation of Greek psychiatry,
which included developments in services, training and research.
The influence of the British school of psychiatry was paramount in Greece
and John's role in it was decisive. In particular he brought into clinical
practice systematic description of phenomenology and a new psychotherapeutic
approach, which was not only psychodynamic psychotherapy, but the only one
known and practised in Greece until then. John initiated several clinical
studies in behaviour therapy and he became known as ‘the
behaviourist’. He was an inspiration to his students and trainees
because of his clear thinking and his devotion to his patients.
John opted out from academia in the early 1980s and concentrated on his
private practice, also spending an increasing amount of time in his country
house in the Peloponnese. There he planted olive and fruit trees and grew
large quantities of vegetables, which he enjoyed sending to his friends! John
remained active in the world of behaviour therapy and was a member of several
international organisations. He organised several international conferences in
Greece and continued publishing widely. His latest contribution was the
development of the Institute of Behaviour Therapy and Research in Athens, a
non-profit centre for multi-disciplinary clinical service and training in
methods of behaviour psychotherapy.
John Boulougouris leaves a distinct mark in contemporary Greek psychiatry
as an innovator, a thinker and a pragmatist. His friends and colleagues will
also always remember him for his humour, generosity and warm personality. He
coped admirably with his sudden illness, but died because of a relapse of an
inoperable condition. His wife Jenny, three sons and a grandson survive
him.
