Health professionals for Obesity in Attica

Galazoula Georgia is a Psychologist and a certified Gestalt Psychotherapist, specializing in individual psychotherapy for adults and adolescents. Through the therapeutic relationship, she provides space for individuals to express themselves, gain greater self-awareness, and be empowered to approach their personal choices and challenges with increased clarity and freedom. Throughout her therapeutic practice, she has supported individuals facing anxiety, panic attacks, self-esteem issues, psychosomatic difficulties, relational challenges, as well as periods of existential searching or personal transitions. In her professional journey, she regularly participates in individual and group supervision to ensure the quality and ethical integrity of the therapeutic process. Concurrently, she herself engages in individual and group psychotherapy, viewing continuous personal work as a fundamental pillar for her development and authenticity as a psychotherapist. Her approach is experiential and focused on the here and now, emphasizing authentic contact and respecting the pace of each client. Her goal is to cultivate a therapeutic relationship founded on trust, where the individual can feel acceptance and safety, enabling a deeper connection with the self and fostering new ways of understanding and managing their life.

Dr Anamaterou Xrysanthi is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist, PhD graduate from the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and maintains a private practice in Marousi. She holds a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed her specialization in Endocrinology and Diabetology at the University Hospital of Heidelberg in Germany. She has worked as an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist in a private polyclinic in Frankfurt, Germany, and has served as an endocrinology registrar at the University Hospital of Heidelberg. She specializes in thyroid gland disorders and has particular expertise in the management of thyroid cancer and other endocrine tumors (adrenal glands, pituitary gland, neuroendocrine tumors, endocrine syndromes). Additionally, she has experience in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Due to her doctoral dissertation, she specializes in parathyroid gland diseases (calcium and vitamin D metabolism) and osteoporosis.

Η Λαγιάκου Λυδία και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στα Άνω Πατήσια. Ολοκλήρωσε τις σπουδές της στην Ψυχολογία (BaHons) στο Αμερικανικό Κολλέγιο Ελλάδος Deree αποκτώντας διπλό πτυχίο από το εν λόγω ίδρυμα αλλά και από το Open University της Αγγλίας. Κατά τη διάρκεια των σπουδών της είχε λάβει υποτροφία από το International Honors Program του κολλεγίου, ενώ τα τελευταία δύο χρόνια των σπουδών της συμμετείχε σε πρόγραμμα εθελοντισμού και μετεκπαίδευσης στο Γενικού Στρατιωτικού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών 401 στο τμήμα της Διασυνδετικής Ψυχιατρικής. Στη συνέχεια ολοκλήρωσε το μεταπτυχιακό της πάνω στη Συμβουλευτική Ψυχολογία και Ψυχοθεραπεία (MSc). Ταυτόχρονα, παρακολούθησε ποικίλα σεμινάρια όπως Ψυχοθεραπεία με επίκεντρο το συναίσθημα (Emotion-Focused Therapy) και Άβατον - Οριακές Περιπτώσεις (με θέμα την οριακή διαταραχή προσωπικότητας ιδωμένη μέσα από την ψυχαναλυτική σκοπιά). Επίσης, έχει παρευρεθεί στο 1ο Συνέδριο Ψυχοθεραπείας της Ψυχιατρικής και στο Διεθνές Συνέδριο Υπαρξιακής Ψυχοθεραπείας του 2023. Τέλος, πραγματοποιεί συνεδρίες βραχείας ψυχοθεραπείας εθελοντικά στην Εταιρεία Περιφερειακής Ανάπτυξης και Ψυχικής Υγείας (Ε.Π.Α.Ψ.Υ.).

Επί του παρόντος, είναι εκπαιδευόμενη ψυχοθεραπεύτρια Συστημικής προσέγγισης σε εγκεκριμένο εκπαιδευτικό κέντρο στην Αθήνα και παρακολουθεί ποικίλα σεμινάρια και εκπαιδεύσεις πιστοποίησης.

Dr. Xarikleia Xristakou is an Endocrinologist with a private practice in Vrilissia. She completed her studies at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She began her clinical and research career in the Endocrinology Department of the First Internal Medicine Clinic at Laiko Hospital in Athens and at the Endocrinology and Metabolism Unit of the Ευγενίδειο Therapeutic Institute, with a special interest in disorders of female reproduction and metabolism. She was awarded the title of Doctor of Medicine from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in 2014. Subsequently, she specialized at the First University Pediatric Clinic of the "Agia Sofia" Children’s Hospital, focusing on Pediatric Endocrinology. She continued and completed her specialization in Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism at the First Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine Clinic of Laiko Hospital. She is the author of scientific articles in reputable Greek and international journals and has contributed to the authorship of Greek and international scientific textbooks on Endocrinology. Additionally, she has participated as a speaker at Greek and international conferences. Since January 2022, she has been an academic fellow at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, where she has been involved in clinical and teaching activities. Furthermore, as a member of the interdisciplinary team at the Center of Excellence for Neuroendocrine Diseases at the University of Athens at Laiko Hospital, she actively participates in Medical Board meetings, where interesting patient cases are discussed with the aim of accurate diagnostic and therapeutic management of patients with neuroendocrine diseases. She also serves as an instructor in the postgraduate program "Endocrine Neoplasms".

Eleonora Tsilimpakou is a Social Worker, graduate of Democritus University of Thrace, with postgraduate studies in Clinical Social Work with families and children from the University of West Attica. After completing her postgraduate studies, she trained as a Career Guidance Counselor at the Higher School of Pedagogical and Technological Education and completed a four-year training program in Gestalt Psychotherapy at the Gestalt Foundation Psychotherapy and Training Center. Additionally, she has been trained in coordinating parent groups by the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as in the Healthy Relationship Building Program between the two genders. She possesses extensive professional experience as a Social Worker, having worked in both private and public sectors, including the Elderly Care Unit "Frontizo," the Adult Psychiatric Clinic "Agia Aikaterini," the 2nd Special Vocational Education and Training Laboratory (EEEKK) of Piraeus "Anixi," the Foster Care Service of SOS Children’s Villages, the 2nd Local Health Unit of Nea Filadelfeia, as well as the Day Center for Children and Adolescents of the Hellenic Society of Medical Psychology. As a Career Guidance Counselor, she has collaborated with the Career Office of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, and since 2020 she has maintained a private practice in Agia Paraskevi, Attica, where she provides psychotherapy services in both individual and group settings.

Oikonomou Panagiotis is an Internal Medicine Specialist with a private practice in Kallithea. He graduated with honors from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, specializing in Lipidology from the Hellenic Atherosclerosis Society. He trained in Internal Medicine at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the General Chest Diseases Hospital "Sotiria" and has completed a training program in diabetes mellitus at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, he has received training at the Diabetes Center of the General Hospital of Athens "Red Cross." He has participated in diabetes and infectious disease conferences and has attended seminars related to hypertension and diabetes mellitus. In recent years, he has served as a Consultant Physician A at the 1st Internal Medicine Clinic at Metropolitan General.

Pathologist Dr. Syneifakoulis Theoxaris is the third generation of physicians in his family. He graduated with "Excellent" from the Medical School of the University of Pécs, Hungary, and was awarded his Doctorate from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, having completed his dissertation on skin melanoma. Additionally, he is a member of the RCPSG (Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow) and collaborates with the private hospitals "Hygeia" and "Euroclinic".

Dr. Syneifakoulis Theoxaris's further specialization and sequential years of training, including postgraduate studies in Mountain Medicine at the University of Leicester, U.K., as well as his certifications as an instructor for the American Heart Association ("AHA"), the European Resuscitation Council ("ERC"), Prehospital Trauma Life Support ("PHTLS") by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians ("NAEMT"), and Advanced Trauma Life Support ("ATLS") from the American College of Surgeons ("ACS"), have inspired him to continue the family tradition and broaden his professional horizons. These qualifications have provided him with the motivation and tools to engage not only in Internal Medicine but also in Travel and Mountain Medicine, as well as emergency Prehospital Medicine, both as an instructor and as a healthcare professional.

Florou Athina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in the Zografou area. She graduated from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University of Athens in 2022, successfully completing her undergraduate studies. During her internship at the 251 General Airforce Hospital, she gained valuable knowledge and experience in nutrition support, designing personalized diet plans, nutritional counseling, and assessing patients' nutritional status. She continued her studies at University College London (UCL), where she obtained a master's degree in Eating Disorders and Clinical Nutrition with distinction. As part of her postgraduate education, she worked at St Ann’s Hospital/Eating Disorder Service, making a significant contribution to the rehabilitation of patients with eating disorders. Athina is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists (PSDΔD), the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN), and the Association for Nutrition (AfN) in the UK. She has experience in managing clinical cases through collaboration with physicians of various specialties in both hospital and private settings. She applies individualized nutritional interventions based on scientific evidence, aiming for the holistic support of health.

As part of her active involvement in international scientific networks, she participates as a member of the Working Group of the European project HEALTH UP! of EFAD (European Federation of the Associations of Dietitians), contributing to the scientifically substantiated evaluation and updating of the Guide on Eating Disorders, aiming to enhance dietetic care practice at the European level.

Doksastaki Anna is a Psychotherapist specializing in Psychoanalytic Art Therapy and runs the private practice "Art Can Talk Dramatherapy and Wellness Centre" in Heraklion, Crete. She completed postgraduate studies in Applied Theatre "Applied Drama: Theatre in Education, Community and Society" at the University of London, as well as in Psychoanalytic Dramatherapy at Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Her training is based on a psychodynamic approach, and consequently, her clinical practice is rooted in psychoanalytic theory. During her stay in the United Kingdom until 2015, she worked in numerous organizations, theatres, counseling centers, and schools as a Theatre Facilitator, Dramatherapist, and Director. The main focus of her studies, academic research, and professional experience is depression and anxiety disorders in children and adults. Additionally, she has conducted research on the beneficial effects of art and play in health crisis situations and has led workshops in Greece and the UK on managing anxiety and grief through creative activities.

Dr. Papadopoulou Efi, MD, MSc, PhD, is a Internist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She graduated from the Medical School of the University of Patras, holds a Master's Degree specializing in Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity, as well as a Doctorate from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a medical specialization in Diabetes Mellitus. She completed her specialty training in Internal Medicine at the Therapeutic Clinic of the University of Athens at Alexandra General Hospital, where she also received clinical training in Diabetes Mellitus at the Diabetes Clinic of the same department. Currently, she maintains a private practice in Athens and concurrently works as an Attending Internist at the 7th Internal Medicine Clinic of Hygeia Hospital. Her clinical and research interests span the entire spectrum of Internal Medicine, with a particular emphasis on Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity.

Nikolidaki Konstantina is a Psychologist with a private practice in Haidari. She studied psychology at Manchester Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom and completed the postgraduate program 'MSc in Drugs Addiction' at Liverpool John Moores University, specializing in addiction therapy. Upon returning to Greece, she completed a postgraduate specialization program in Cognitive Analytic Psychotherapy. Additionally, she has attended various specialized training seminars and continuing education programs in family therapy, group analysis, and psychodrama at the Open Psychotherapeutic Center. She trained in couples therapy and sexual disorders at City University of Seattle, while also participating in experiential training for grief management with Dr. Jane Simington. She is a certified trainer-coordinator of Parent Schools with the Panhellenic Association of Parent Schools. Furthermore, she trained in trauma therapy and post-traumatic stress disorder at the Gestalt Institute of San Francisco. Throughout her career, she has worked as a counselor in the syringe exchange program at Lifeline Manchester’s harm reduction and drug and alcohol treatment center, as well as a psychotherapist and coordinator of psychotherapeutic groups and family groups at the Lyrakou Psychotherapeutic Clinic. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society.

Mauridi Afroditi is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist with a private practice in Pangrati. She began her studies in Psychology in Groningen, Netherlands, and completed them in Cyprus. She has specialized in the diagnosis of children and adolescents through the systemic perspective SANE-System Attachment Narrative Encephalon and in systemic psychotherapy for adults at the Institute for Training and Research in Systemic Psychotherapy "Logos Psychis". Additionally, she has received training in various areas, including School Psychology, Psychosomatic Health, and Crisis Management. She possesses notable experience, having worked in various public and private institutions. Furthermore, she has significant research experience, participating in conferences and seminars, where she has also presented her work.

Mpenetatos Nektarios MD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains private practices in Koukaki and Nea Filadelfeia. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Internal Medicine at the 1st Internal Medicine Clinic of the General Hospital of Elefsina “Thriasio” and in Endocrinology at the Department of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes of the 1st University Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko". He has worked as an endocrinologist in the Endocrinology Unit of the Evgenidio Hospital and in the Clinics of Endocrine Disorders of Pregnancy, Menopause, and Osteoporosis, in the Reproductive Endocrinology Clinic, and in the Andrology Clinic of the General Hospital "Elena Venizelou". Finally, he is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Athens Medical Society, and the Hellenic Endocrinological Society.

Dr. Alevizos Alevizos is a General Practitioner/Family Physician (GP/FM) who owns and manages two private medical practices in Piraeus and Thrakomakedones in the Athens wide metropolitan area. He holds a degree in Medicine from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with postgraduate training in diabetes from Harvard Medical School in the USA. He completed his residency in General and Family Medicine at "Tzaneio" General Hospital of Piraeus.

He has served as the medical scientific director for the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and has also served as a Health Consultant for the Hellenic Cardiological Foundation.

Since the legalisation of Medical Cannabis in Greece, he has been a pioneer in assisting patients with various ailments and medical conditions providing up-to-date medical care, substantially fullfilling unmet patients needs.

He is a certified medical cannabis consultant and prescriber.

He has extensive educational and research experience, including numerous announcements and presentations at Greek and international conferences, as well as publications in many major international medical journals.

Finally, he is a member of the American Academy of Family Physicians.

Papadimitriou Eirini MD, MSc, PhDc is a highly qualified and experienced endocrinologist, with extensive clinical training and academic activity, maintaining a private practice in Kallithea. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, holding a master's degree in Research of Female Reproduction, and her doctoral thesis focuses on pituitary tumors. She specialized in Endocrinology at the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas," at the First Pediatric Clinic of the General Children's Hospital of Athens "P. & A. Kyriakou," where she was trained in managing pediatric endocrinology cases, and at the General Hospital of Athens "Elena Venizelou," where she trained in endocrine disorders during pregnancy. She also has clinical experience in a variety of endocrine diseases, such as diabetes mellitus, thyroid disorders, parathyroid gland diseases, osteoporosis, menstrual and menopausal disorders, hypogonadism, adrenal/pituitary diseases, endocrine hypertension, obesity, and lipid disorders. She has participated in numerous Greek and international conferences, presenting her research and clinical cases. Furthermore, she has published in reputable international scientific journals, continuously advancing the field of endocrinology. She is an active member of the Hellenic Endocrinological Society and a collaborator at the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas."

Η Παυλίδη Αηδονίτσα MSc είναι Διαιτολόγος - Διατροφολόγος. Είναι απόφοιτη Διαιτολόγος - Διατροφολόγος, του Αλεξάνδρειου Τεχνολογικού Εκπαιδευτικού Ιδρύματος Θεσσαλονίκης, στο Τμήμα Διατροφής και Διαιτολογίας, το 2011. Στη πτυχιακή της διατριβή ασχολήθηκε με τις διατροφικές συνήθειες εφήβων και πιο συγκεκριμένα με την "Εκτίμηση των διατροφικών συνηθειών και της διατροφικής κατάστασης των εφήβων". Έπειτα, συνέχισε τις σπουδές της το 2013, με το Πρόγραμμα Συμπληρωματικής εξ Αποστάσεως Εκπαίδευσης του Κέντρου Επαγγελματικής Κατάρτισης (Κ.Ε.Κ) του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών με θέμα "Παιδική Παχυσαρκία". Απέκτησε Πιστοποιητικό Παιδαγωγικής και Διδακτικής Επάρκειας της Α.Σ.ΠΑΙ.Τ.Ε στην Αθήνα και παρακολούθησε το ετήσιο Ψυχοεκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα "Πέρα από τα όρια της δίαιτας" του Κέντρου Ψυχολογικών Εφαρμογών ΚΕ.Ψ.ΕΦ. Το 2016 έλαβε την Πιστοποίηση Εκπαιδευτικής Επάρκειας Εκπαιδευτών Ενηλίκων της μη τυπικής εκπαίδευσης από τον Εθνικό Οργανισμό Πιστοποίησης Προσόντων και Επαγγελματικού Προσανατολισμού (Ε.Ο.Π.Π.Ε.Π). και παράλληλα παρακολούθησε Πρόγραμμα ειδίκευσης σε Δεξιότητες Συμβουλευτικής και Επικοινωνίας για Διαιτολόγους του κέντρου Ψυχολογικών Εφαρμογών ΚΕ.Ψ.ΕΦ. Το 2019 παρακολούθησε το εκπαιδευτικό πρόγραμμα "Διαταραχές Πρόσληψης Τροφής" στο Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών ενώ από το 2020 είναι NLP Wellbeing Coach, πιστοποιημένη από την INLPTA (International NLP Trainers Association). Συνέχισε τις σπουδές της στο Χαροκόπειο Πανεπιστήμιο, από όπου απέκτησε το 2021 Μεταπτυχιακό δίπλωμα με εξειδίκευση στην Διατροφή και την Άσκηση. Η μεταπτυχιακή της διατριβή είχε τίτλο Μελέτη της ασκησιογενούς έκκρισης θυρεοειδικών ορμονών και προλακτίνης σε υγιείς εθελοντές. Το 2024 ολοκλήρωσε την εκπαίδευση Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders, δηλαδή την εξειδίκευση στην αντιμετώπιση των Διατροφικών Διαταραχών και της Παχυσαρκίας, στο Κέντρο Εκπαίδευσης και Αντιμετώπισης Διατροφικών Διαταραχών (ΚΕΑΔΔ) σε συνεργασία με το Εθνικό Κέντρο Διατροφικών Διαταραχών της Μεγάλης Βρετανίας (NCfED). Τα πρώτα της επαγγελματικά βήματα ξεκίνησαν στο Διαιτολογικό τμήμα του Ειδικού Αντικαρκινικού Νοσοκομείου Μεταξά, στο πλαίσιο πρακτικής άσκησης. Στην συνέχεια εργάστηκε εθελοντικά στο Διαιτολογικό τμήμα του 251 Γ.Ν.Α. Έχει συμμετάσχει επίσης στο πρόγραμμα Κοινωφελούς Χαρακτήρα (ΚΟΧ) στην Περιφερειακή Ενότητα Κεντρικού Τομέα Αθηνών για δράσεις Κοινωνικού Χαρακτήρα ως Διαιτολόγος - Διατροφολόγος. Έχει εργαστεί ως εκπαιδευτικός σε δημόσιες και ιδιωτικές δομές, ενώ από το 2019 έως το 2021 είχε επαγγελματική συνεργασία με δύο διαιτολογικά γραφεία στην Αττική, αναλαμβάνοντας συμβουλευτική και διατροφική υποστήριξη. Παράλληλα ήταν εξωτερικός συνεργάτης γυμναστηρίου, αναλαμβάνοντας την διατροφική υποστήριξη ατόμων σεβόμενη τις γευστικές προτιμήσεις τους και τις καθημερινές τους υποχρεώσεις για την αλλαγή διατροφικών συνηθειών με στόχο την ευεξία τους.

Oikonomopoulou Eudokia - Evina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia. She completed her studies in dietetics at the University of Hertfordshire and Biology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she holds a Master Nutritionist in Autoimmune Disorders (EL.D.E.) from the Hellenic Nutrition Society. She has been trained in Genetic Counseling at the Center for Training and Lifelong Learning of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, as well as in Health Coaching for healthcare professionals, and in Contemporary Applications of Sports Nutrition from Academy Life. Furthermore, she completed her internship at IASO. She is specialized in diet and nutrition and addresses a wide range of issues related to breastfeeding, sports nutrition, diabetes mellitus, nutritional counseling, obesity, metabolism, and irritable bowel syndrome.