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.