Meet the Team
We are Petalou. Two sisters. Twins but not twins. We have spent four decades learning with and from each other. Growing up as kids in Queens, our Dad used to always tell us “παν μέτρον άριστον”...everything in moderation. The older we got, the more we came to see that this simple Greek phrase was the secret to living our best lives.
We decided to combine all of our personal and professional experiences in education, mindfulness, counseling, and yoga to create a company that would inspire and guide people to discover what it means to live a life in balance. We offer virtual workshops, individualized and group therapy sessions, and in-person retreats for everyone who wishes to journey towards greater balance, health, vitality, and inner peace.
KRYSTLE KOUGIAS, M.S., LPC
Krystle knew from a young age that each one of us has the power to change the way we experience life’s stresses and challenges. As a passerby on the streets of New York once told her: the way you perceive life is the way you receive life. Since 2008, Krystle has worked as a counselor to help her clients discover the inner tools they already have to change their lives for the better. She has worked with adolescents and adults in various settings, including schools, hospitals, adult homes, and private practice. Krystle uses a client-centered approach that combines various evidence-based therapies, including Solution Focused Brief Therapy, Cognitive Behavior Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Krystle understands that if we want to change our feelings, we need to change our thoughts around the situations causing those feelings. It is her belief that when people better understand the relationship between their mental and physical states, they can unlock their full potential.
Krystle holds two Master’s of Science degrees from Long Island University in School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling. She is a Licensed Associate Counselor, a Licensed School Counselor, and a Reiki practitioner.
CARRIE VIEIRA, M.A., C-IAYT, RYT-500
Carrie first discovered meditation and yoga over 20 years ago when she was a middle school teacher in New York City and looking for a way to manage a high-stress work environment. She got more than she bargained for as her practice initiated an ever-unfolding journey of transformational healing, growth, and abundance. Since 2010, she has been teaching meditation, yoga, and mindfulness in the community, including in schools, yoga studios, community centers, and workplaces. Carrie also works in public education as an instructional specialist in student behavioral health and academics. She works with schools to create restorative classroom communities that provide students and educators with opportunities to practice mindfulness and self-care. She encourages clients to journey inward through mindful movement, breathwork, meditation, and therapeutic practices that help us access inner balance, peace, connection, and joy.
Carrie holds a Master’s of Arts degree in Humanities and Social Thought from New York University. She is also a certified yoga therapist with the International Association of Yoga Therapists, a 500-hour certified yoga teacher with the Yoga Alliance, a certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher, and a Reiki master.
What is Petalou?
Petalou envisions a world where people are happy, healthy, peaceful, and living their best lives. We believe that a life in balance leads to inner transformation and the expression of our highest potential. Through the integration of mindfulness, yoga, and therapeutic services, Petalou inspires and guides people to live their most balanced and fulfilled life.
Petalou derives from the Greek word πεταλούδα (petalouda), which means butterfly. The butterfly reminds us of our ability to transform ourselves…to push past our perceived limitations, grow wings, and fly!
What People Are Saying
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L.R., New Mexico
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Carrie has a remarkable way of hearing and reflecting my most deep, and sometimes hidden pathways, and processes. She has set me up with meditations which carried me through complex work and personal situations, national exams, and presentations at national meetings.
I have shared Carrie's advice with my colleagues, and have recommended her videos to friends and family. All to an outstanding response.
Carrie sees the person in front of her, as they are, and as they want to be, and is able to align one towards the other.
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S.J., New York
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Krystle’s wisdom transcends textbook knowledge, as she possesses an innate ability to navigate the intricate nuances of the mind and unravel the intricacies of my own. Her listening ear, adorned with genuine curiosity, has fostered an environment of trust.
Krystle’s therapeutic arsenal is composed not only of evidence-based practices, but also an intuitive artistry that tailors her approach to my unique needs. Whether it be through validating my experiences, challenging my limiting beliefs, or providing practical coping mechanisms, her unwavering commitment to my well-being has been a testament to her genuine dedication.
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C.M., New York
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From the moment I began speaking with Krystle about any personal or professional stressors, I felt immediately supported and understood.
Krystle has a remarkable ability to listen attentively and create a comforting and non-judgemental environment where I would feel safe to explore any issue or obstacle I was facing.
Her empathetic nature and her holistic approach to life helped me to gain valuable insights into my behavior, my priorities and my overall well-being.
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E.T., Maryland
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I am a long-time practitioner of meditation as well as other mind body practices, and over the years, I have experienced considerable spiritual and personal growth as a result. Yet there are still days of doubt, confusion and just plain old unhappiness. Often in those times of discontent, I turn to Carrie for guidance and support.
Carrie has a very special way of reaching people. Her exceptional level of awareness and insightful counseling have helped me find strength when I am down and peace in the face of uncertainty.
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