Health professionals for Obesity in Attica

Zaxariadis Konstantinos is a General Practitioner who maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. He holds a degree in Medicine and Pharmacy from the University of Craiova and has specialized in general medicine at the General State Hospital of Nikaia. Simultaneously, he continuously attends numerous national and international conferences to ensure his ongoing education. He is a member of the Hellenic Diabetes Association, the Hellenic Society of General Medicine, the American Diabetes Association, and the Hellenic Society of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection. The doctor has experience in blood pressure regulation, managing obesity and asthma, as well as smoking cessation support. Through his professional experience in major and recognized hospitals in Greece, he is capable of addressing a wide range of conditions in his private practice.

Nektarios Oikonomou is a Psychologist with private practice offices in Markopoulo and Porto Rafti. He graduated from the Department of Psychology at UCLAN University (2017-2021) and has enhanced his knowledge with specialized studies at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy - CBT, Social Clinical Psychology of Addictions, Sports Psychology, and Counseling and Therapy for Couples and Families), strengthening his ability to approach psychological issues from multiple dimensions.

Professionally, he maintains private practice offices in Markopoulo and Porto Rafti, offering psychotherapy services, addiction treatment, psychological support, and counseling.

He is also active as a sports psychologist with PAO Kalyvia (2024-present), where, combined with his status as a final-year student at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science (TEFAA), he employs a comprehensive scientific approach that links mental empowerment with physical performance, supporting athletes in enhancing mental resilience and competitive performance.

Additionally, he has collaborated as an addiction counselor at KETHEA DIAVASI (2020-2021). In the field of addictions, he integrates his scientific training with profound experiential understanding of addiction and recovery mechanisms, which enhances empathy and the effectiveness of the therapeutic approach.

Marinakis Euaggelos is an Internist - Health Coach, maintaining a private clinic in Chalandri, bordering Psychiko (Agia Varvara area of Chalandri). He studied Medicine at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. With knowledge and extensive experience in internal medicine and ongoing education in health coaching, life coaching, behavioral psychology, and the fundamental principles of the Cognitive-Behavioral approach, Marinakis Euaggelos approaches the individual holistically and guides them with modern methods towards achieving their personal goals and aspirations in broader health and personal development matters. Well-being is an exciting challenge-goal in life, analyzed into physical and non-physical components, which include the individual, family, parenthood, and close or broader human relationships. Whether it concerns chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, bulimia, overeating, emotional eating, uncontrolled food consumption, cognitive restriction, and restrictive diets, psychogenic anorexia, or issues related to relationships and psychosocial aspects within the framework of health and lifestyle coaching, Marinakis Euaggelos possesses extensive training and experience.

Triantafyllidou Sofia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Alimos. She holds a doctorate in Clinical Social Psychology from the University of Crete. She has received specialized training in a range of psychotherapeutic approaches, including Clinical Psychotherapy using Hypnotherapy (certified by GHSC), EMDR, as well as Music Therapy employing the Guided Imagery and Music (GIM) and Music Imagery (MI) methods. Additionally, she completed postgraduate studies in Educational Psychology at the University of Nicosia. Her professional experience includes extensive work as a psychologist in private practice, as well as in psychosocial support structures for students at higher education institutions such as the University of West Attica and the former Technological Educational Institute (TEI) of Athens. She taught Psychology courses for several years at tertiary institutions and vocational training centers (IEK), and has been a member of the Collaborating Educational Staff at the Hellenic Open University since 2013. She has provided psychological support to vulnerable social groups, including individuals with visual impairments and detainees at the Korydallos Judicial Prison Second Chance School, and has served as a Parent Counselor in schools in the Attica region. Her scientific and teaching activities are further supported by research work conducted at the Universities of Crete and Athens.

Η Ζωή Μαυρίδου είναι Διαιτολόγος – Διατροφολόγος, απόφοιτος του Τμήματος Επιστήμης Διαιτολογίας και Διατροφής του Χαροκοπείου Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Με πάθος για την επιστημονική ακρίβεια και την εξατομικευμένη προσέγγιση, δημιούργησε το Κέντρο «Διατροφή Ζωής», με στόχο να παρέχει προσωποποιημένη καθοδήγηση βασισμένη στις ανάγκες και τις ιδιαιτερότητες του κάθε ανθρώπου.

Πιστεύοντας στην αξία της δια βίου μάθησης, έχει εξειδικευτεί περαιτέρω σε σημαντικά πεδία της διατροφής όπως:

• Διατροφή στην κύηση, το θηλασμό και τη γονιμότητα, μέσω προγράμματος του ΚΕΔΙΒΙΜ του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης.
• Διατροφικές διαταραχές (βουλιμία, ψυχογενής ανορεξία, συναισθηματική υπερφαγία) με εξειδίκευση επίσης από το ΕΚΠΑ.
• Health Coaching, ολοκληρώνοντας σχετική εκπαίδευση στο Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών, ώστε να ενισχύσει τη βιωσιμότητα των διατροφικών αλλαγών στην καθημερινή ζωή των συμβουλευόμενων.
• Εκπαίδευση στο πρόγραμμα “Πέρα από τα όρια της δίαιτας”, από το Κέντρο Ψυχολογικών Εφαρμογών (ΚΕ.Ψ.ΕΦ), που επικεντρώνεται στη σχέση με το φαγητό και τη βελτίωση της διατροφικής συμπεριφοράς χωρίς περιοριστικές δίαιτες.

Έχει επίσης ενεργή παρουσία σε εκπαιδευτικά και επιστημονικά δρώμενα, όπως:

• Παρακολούθηση συνεδριών, ημερίδων και ιατρικών συμποσίων που αφορούν την παχυσαρκία, τις τροφικές αλλεργίες, τις ΙΦΝΕ, την οστεοπόρωση και άλλα συναφή θέματα.
• Είχε συνεργασία με το Ινστιτούτο Prolepsis για εκπαιδευτικές δράσεις σε σχολεία με θέμα τη διατροφική εκπαίδευση παιδιών.
• Πραγματοποίηση πολλών ομιλιών σε παιδικές και εφηβικές αθλητικές ομάδες.

Παράλληλα, εμπλουτίζει συνεχώς τις γνώσεις της μέσω της παρακολούθησης μαθημάτων της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης Κλινικής Διατροφής και Μεταβολισμού (ESPEN LLL) και του World Obesity Organization (SCOPE), για την απόκτηση της πιστοποίησης “Specialist Certification of Obesity Professional Education”.

Με γνώμονα ότι «η διατροφή δεν είναι ίδια για όλους», η Ζωή Μαυρίδου εργάζεται με σεβασμό στη μοναδικότητα κάθε ατόμου, προσφέροντας ουσιαστική, εφαρμόσιμη καθοδήγηση και υποστήριξη. Όραμά της είναι η βελτίωση της σχέσης με το φαγητό και η ουσιαστική αλλαγή τρόπου ζωής, μέσα από επιστημονική γνώση, ενσυναίσθηση και ρεαλισμό.

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.

Panopoulos Panagiotis is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist and head of the Dietetic and Counseling Center in Ilioupoli, a facility that also operates a Mental Health Counselor. Mr. Panopoulos specializes in diabetes mellitus, clinical nutrition, pediatric and adolescent nutrition, eating disorders, nutritional counseling, life coaching, as well as the management of morbid obesity and metabolic inactivity. He has extensive professional experience since 1995 in hospitals, sports, education, aesthetic and weight loss centers, intolerance centers, kindergartens, pregnancy and postpartum centers, and has delivered numerous lectures in primary and secondary education and nursing homes. Additionally, through specialized nutrition programs, he addresses issues of sluggish metabolism, overeating, picky appetite, psychological binge eating, food intolerance - allergies, menopause, cholesterol, hypertension, diabetes, kidney function, cardiological cases, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, and gastric disorders.

Karypidis Konstantinos is a Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Petroupoli. He has been trained in Integrative Counseling and Psychotherapy and holds an Advance Diploma in Counselling & Psychology from the I.C. Institute in Los Angeles. He was awarded the Patient Preference Award by his patients on doctoranytime, who ranked him among the top preferred professionals on the platform. For over 20 years, he has collaborated with executives and employees worldwide, helping them to derive greater satisfaction from their lives and work. His contribution was recognized in 2022 when the international organization Thinkers 360 ranked him among the top 50 global thought leaders in Change Management. He specializes in interpersonal relationships, stress management, anger management, and panic attack management.

Mpones Theodoros is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with private offices in Galatsi and Naxos. He has worked in hospitals, private clinics, individual dietetic offices, multidisciplinary nutrition and exercise centers, and sports clubs. Additionally, he has participated in nationwide studies aimed at verifying the nutrition of Greeks and their children and has authored articles on nutrition, featured in daily newspapers and magazines. Furthermore, he has experience in managing obesity by keeping up with medical advancements in the field and specializes in clinical nutrition and eating disorders.

Kokona Anastasia - Frinta is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Kolonaki, providing individual psychotherapeutic sessions for adults, children, adolescents, and parent counseling sessions. She studied Psychology at Panteion University of Social and Political Sciences and completed her postgraduate studies in Health Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire in the UK (MSc in Health Psychology). She is a member of the Greek Psychological Society and the British Psychological Society (BPS), in order to stay continuously updated on new research findings in the field of Psychology. She specializes in psychological support for patients with chronic illness, cancer patients, and psychological support for relatives of cancer patients. She has been trained in Cognitive Psychotherapy as part of the "I.N. Papakostas" program at Aeginiteio Hospital. Additionally, she holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Special Education and Training of individuals with oral and written language disorders. During her professional career, she has worked as a Psychologist - Psychotherapist in special therapy centers in Athens and hospitals, gaining valuable knowledge and experience in her field. Specifically, she has worked as a Psychologist - Scientific Collaborator at the Naval Hospital of Athens, as well as a Counseling Psychologist - Psychotherapist for Children and Adolescents in special therapy centers in Athens and at the Chalandri Mental Health Center. She is also certified in administering psychometric tools. Finally, she has attended numerous seminars aimed at continuous education and training in her field.

A Step Beyond is a center for Counseling, Psychotherapy, Personal Development, Wellness, and Prosperity Growth. It was established by Kentro Psyxikis Ygeias Kai Euimerias A Step Beyond - Katranis Konstantinos Kai Synergates with the aim of providing therapies to individuals who wish to overcome their problems, to make their lives fuller and more beautiful, and to be guided towards wellness and prosperity through the necessary and appropriate means. The center’s specialists act as allies and companions for those who seek to discover new strategies and apply them, to enhance and utilize their internal resources, to learn new things or to view old matters from new perspectives, to heal traumas, to acquire new skills, to overcome fears and phobias, to eliminate chronic stress, and to live mindfully in the present moment, setting goals and achieving them. At A Step Beyond, the individual’s needs are addressed by selecting the appropriate specialist from among the trained Psychologists, Psychotherapists, Mental Health Professionals, or Personal Development Counselors to design a flexible and tailored evolution plan for each person.

Vrynioti Pegky is a Dietitian - Nutritionist MSc and operates a private practice in Moschato. Simultaneously, she collaborates with physiotherapy centers as an external associate and also serves as a lecturer at private institutions. She studied in the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics at the Mediterranean University of Crete and is a member of the Hellenic Dietitians and Nutritionists Association. In 2022, she completed her postgraduate studies at the Medical School of Athens, specializing in Therapeutic Exercise, with a focus on the management of lipedema and lymphedema. Additionally, she has attended numerous conferences and seminars and has participated as a keynote speaker in nutrition-related symposiums across Attica and the provinces. Finally, she has extensive experience in managing cases related to Weight Loss, Obesity and Metabolism, and Nutritional Counseling.

Μrs E. Iliadou graduated from John Moores University of Liverpool with a Bachelor’s degree in Nutrition and continued her postgraduate studies in Dietetics at the University of Liverpool leading to state registration in the UK. Mrs Iliadou has trained both in hospital and community settings as part of her course.She gained her working experience in several NHS hospitals across the UK in different areas such as:Women’s Hospital in Liverpool (working with gestational diabetic women)Harefield Hospital-one of the best hospitals specialized in heart conditions Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin (Scotland) nutritional support patients

Royal Brompton Hospital (London) respiratory diseases, cystic fibrosis, cancer patients Primary care Trust of Birmingham (working with disabled patients)Royal Liverpool Hospital-specialized in elderly and children Bariatric surgery of Royal Manchester Hospital.She is a member of the British Dietetic Association, the Health Professions Council (UK), the Hellenic Dietetic Association, the Hellenic Institute of Nutrition and the European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic care. She is a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders from National Centre of Eating Disorders.At present, Mrs Iliadou is leading the Nutrition department of the Mediterraneo hospital, a private Clinic situated in the South suburbs of Athens in the area of Glyfada She is in charge of the dietetic department where she is responsible for the management of patients who need nutritional support in the following units: gastro, dialysis, surgery, cardiology & cardiothoracic, bariatric and the ICU both of Greek and International origin.In addition to her working experience she attended the postgraduate diploma ‘Sports Nutrition’ from the International Olympic Committee. In 2019, the Hellenic Basketball Federation announced the official start of Mrs Iliadou’s collaboration with the Women’s National Team.Since 2015, Mrs Iliadou has been doing volunteer work with the AMYMONIAssociation , where they host people with vision problems and additional disabilities.

Dalakoura Stella is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Chalandri. She holds a degree from the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace and a Master's Degree in "Molecular & Applied Physiology" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Endocrinology-Diabetology in the Department of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the General Hospital of Athens "Korgialenio-Benakeio" E.E.S. During her specialization, she also gained expertise in the management of patients using insulin pumps. In her practice, she handles cases covering the entire spectrum of Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism. She is a member of the Hellenic Endocrine Society, the Athens Medical Association, and the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom. In 2022, she obtained the SCOPE certification from the World Obesity Federation, following a scholarship award from the Hellenic Endocrine Society.

Stefanakis Lykourgos is a Dietitian-Nutritionist with a private office in Chalandri. He holds a degree in Applied Dietetics from Canterbury Christ Church University and is an accredited member with ISAK level 1, after completing the educational program of the International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry, focusing on Anthropometry. He completed his internship at the Metabolic Self-Regulation and Wellness Center "Homeostasis S.A." He has also attended the specialized program "Sports Nutrition Specialist" by the Academy of Sports Nutrition and is a Scientific Collaborator at Exodos Fitness, where he provides dietary services to athletes. At his private office, Mr. Stefanakis offers a holistic approach to nutrition, combining scientific knowledge with personal interaction. By thoroughly studying the needs of each individual, he designs personalized nutrition programs based on the principles of balanced nutrition.

Makri Marina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist who maintains a private practice in the Ambelokipi area. She is a graduate of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University and holds a master's degree from the University of Reading, UK (MSc Nutrition and Food Science). Currently, alongside her private practice, she works in a pharmacy as a Food Supplement Specialist, specializing in medical nutrition products, dietary supplements, and vitamins. Throughout her professional career, she has worked at Alexandra Hospital and P. & A. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, and has also volunteered her services as a Dietitian - Nutritionist at the Hellenic Dietetic Association (HDA).

Dr. Petsiou Elena MD, PhD is a Pathologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. She holds a Doctorate from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and earned her Medical degree from the University of L’Aquila, Italy. She specialized in Diabetes Mellitus at the University General Hospital "Attikon". Alongside her private practice, she serves as the Director of the Pathology Clinic at Metropolitan Hospital and has previously held the position of Deputy Director at the "Errikos Dunant" Hospital Center. She has also worked as a Pathologist - Diabetologist at Queens Hospital and Blackpool Teaching Hospital in the UK, gaining substantial experience in arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, with specialization in diabetes mellitus and obesity. Finally, Dr. Petsiou is a member of the Hellenic Diabetes Association, the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine, and the Athens Medical Association.