Health professionals for Obesity in the Northern suburbs of Athens

Η Ηλιοπούλου Τέτα είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας με πολυετή κλινική εμπειρία, η οποία ξεπερνά τα είκοσι έτη. Παρέχει υπηρεσίες συμβουλευτικής και ψυχοθεραπείας, πραγματοποιώντας συνεδρίες δια ζώσης και διαδικτυακά. Οι σπουδές της περιλαμβάνουν την επιτυχή ολοκλήρωση προγραμμάτων στην Kοινωνική Εργασία από το Chette College και στη Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική Ψυχοθεραπεία από το Athens Synthesis Centre, ενώ βρίσκεται σε διαδικασία αναβάθμισης των ακαδημαϊκών προσόντων της στην ψυχολογία από το Πανεπιστήμιο του Essex. Από το 2005 ασχολείται με την συμβουλευτική ζεύγους, την προσωπική θεραπεία και συντονίζει ομάδες αυτογνωσίας – ψυχοθεραπείας. Από το 2010 διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στη Νέα Ιωνία Αττικής. Ενημερώνεται συνεχώς στον εξελισσόμενο χώρο της ψυχολογίας και ψυχοθεραπείας, μέσω σεμιναρίων και διαρκή προσωπική ανάπτυξη. Επίσης, συνεργάζεται με ψυχίατρο όπου απαιτείται και διατηρεί την εποπτεία των περιστατικών της. Η επαγγελματική βοήθεια παρέχεται στις περιπτώσεις που κάποιος επιθυμεί να διαχειριστεί ένα θέμα που τον προβληματίζει, είτε σε σχέση με τον εαυτό του είτε με άλλους, να αντιμετωπίσει μια ψυχική δυσκολία ή να διευρύνει την αυτογνωσία και την προσωπική του ανάπτυξη. Η θεωρητική προσέγγιση που ακολουθεί είναι συνθετική και περιλαμβάνονται: Η Γνωσιακή - Συμπεριφορική για αναγνώριση και τροποποίηση του σκεπτικού και της συμπεριφοράς που δείχνουν αδιέξοδα. Η Ψυχοδυναμική για ιχνηλάτηση του παρελθόντος (πρώιμες παιδικές εμπειρίες) που έχουν διαμορφώσει ένα μοντέλο λειτουργίας του ατόμου. Η Υπαρξιακή στην οποία η έμφαση δίνεται σε αυτό που επιλέγει να κάνει το άτομο στο παρόν, το νόημα που του αποδίδει και η επίδραση στις σχέσεις του (στις ομάδες ακολουθείται μόνο η συγκεκριμένη προσέγγιση). Κυρίαρχη σε κάθε περίπτωση, η Προσωποκεντρική θεώρηση, όπου η έμφαση δίνεται πρώτα στον άνθρωπο και έπειτα στο πρόβλημά του. Υπάρχει η πίστη ότι κάθε άτομο διαθέτει θετικές πλευρές και ένα εσωτερικό δυναμικό, ικανό να υποστηρίξει την ανάπτυξη και την υπέρβαση των δυσκολιών της ζωής.

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".

Kalatzopoulou Garyfalia Liana MD, MSc is a Specialist in Internal Medicine and maintains a private practice in Neo Psychiko. She is a graduate of the Athens College and holds a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She completed a postgraduate program in Immunology and Infectious Diseases at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom, specialized in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas," and has extensive experience in the management of obesity, having handled hundreds of cases to date. Dr. Kalatzopoulou is an external associate of Metropolitan General Hospital and serves as the attending Internist at the Outpatient Clinics of the same hospital.

Mousiolis Dimitris MD, MSc, cPhD is a General Surgeon with a private clinic in Ilion. He graduated from the Medical School of Plovdiv University and obtained his specialty in General Surgery from the General Hospital of Athens "Elpis". He holds a postgraduate diploma in Liver - Biliary - Pancreatic Surgery from the Medical Department of Democritus University of Thrace and a Diploma from the Hellenic School of Mastology. Additionally, he has received specialized training in adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation, bariatric surgery, vascular access, sentinel lymph node biopsy, as well as in Laparoscopic & Robotic General Surgery. He specializes in the modern management of perianal diseases and has received specialized training in the minimally invasive treatment of perianal conditions (hemorrhoids, pilonidal cyst, perianal fistulas, anal fissures, condylomas) using specific surgical lasers (LHP, SiLAC, FiLaC) as well as in the treatment of hemorrhoidal disease with the use of ultrasound. To date, he is a collaborating General Surgeon at the Medical Center of Athens, the Bioclinic of Athens, and the Affidea - Euromedical Group. He has published scientific articles in reputable international medical journals and participates in specialized medical events in Greece and abroad. Finally, the doctor is a member of the Medical Association of Athens, the Hellenic Surgical Society, the Hellenic Scientific Society of Robotic Surgery, the Clinical Robotic Surgery Association, as well as the European Resuscitation Council.

Skoulidi Virna BSc, MSc is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with a private practice in Nea Ionia. She holds a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and has attended a clinical nutrition and dietetics seminar at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she possesses a master's degree in Nutrition, Public Health & Policies from the Agricultural University of Athens and in Nutritional Psychology from the CNP (Center for Nutritional Psychology). The specialist has worked as a Dietitian - Nutritionist at SALAS Catering Company and Fitpal Healthy Meals Company, as well as at the Elegance Aesthetic Center. Furthermore, she has worked in a Pulmonologist and Dietitian office, providing nutritional education to patients, body composition assessment, and designing individualized nutrition programs. Since 2016, she has been a contributor to magazines and websites related to wellness & fitness (Shape, Savoir Ville).

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.

Meladaki Dimitra Kai Synergates is a Dietitian - Nutritionist maintaining a private practice in Nea Ionia. She holds a master's degree in Human Nutrition from the University of Glasgow, Scotland, and a bachelor's degree in Dietetics - Nutrition Science from Harokopio University of Athens. Additionally, she has specialized in Obesity and Weight Management at the University of Glasgow. Throughout her career, she has provided voluntary dietetic services to the municipalities of Cholargos and Papagos, and currently collaborates with Harokopio University on research projects as well as with mednutrition to educate the public on nutrition-related topics. Furthermore, she is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists of Greece and has attended numerous conferences and workshops on Nutrition and Dietetics held in Greece.

Anastasopoulos Vasilis is an Internist at the General Hospital of Attica KAT with the rank of Senior Registrar and maintains a private practice in Nea Filadelfeia. He holds a Medical Degree and specialized in Internal Medicine at the General Hospital of Attica KAT and the General Oncology Hospital "Agioi Anargyroi," as well as in Diabetes Mellitus at the University General Hospital "Attikon." He holds a postgraduate diploma in Occupational and Environmental Health from the National School of Public Health. He has received further training in emergency pre-hospital medicine at the National Center for Emergency Care (EKAB), as well as in the 2nd Propaedeutic Internal Medicine Clinic of the University General Hospital "Attikon," focusing on lipid disorders and cardiovascular disease prevention. He has served as the scientific director at the Local Health Unit in Petroupoli and at the Health Center of Peristeri. He is a member of the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine, the Society for the Study of Risk Factors for Vascular Diseases, and the Hellenic Lipidology Society. As part of continuous medical education, he has attended numerous scientific conferences and has contributed to the writing of scientific papers.

Η Δρ. Μαριδάκη Χρυσούλα - Διδάκτωρ Ιατρικής Σχολής Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών MD, PhD είναι Παθολόγος - Διαβητολόγος - Διαιτολόγος - Διατροφολόγος με ιδιωτικό ιατρείο στα Βριλήσσια. Είναι Επιστημονικός συνεργάτης του Διαβητολογικού Κέντρου του Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών "Λαϊκό". Διατηρεί ιατρείο παχυσαρκίας, στο οποίο γίνεται διερεύνηση μεταβολικού συνδρόμου, ρύθμιση βάρους, λιπομέτρηση, μέτρηση βασικού μεταβολισμού, ρύθμιση λιπιδίων και δίδεται εξατομικευμένη διατροφή. Στο ιατρείο της γίνεται διερεύνηση και ρύθμιση υπερτασιακού ασθενούς, 24ωρη παρακολούθηση υπέρτασης (holter πιέσεως) και ηλεκτροκαρδιογράφημα. H Δρ. Μαριδάκη Χρυσούλα είναι Διδάκτωρ της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και έλαβε τον τίτλο της Ιατρικής Ειδικότητας της Παθολογίας το 2000. Εκπαιδεύτηκε στο γνωστικό αντικείμενο του σακχαρώδη διαβήτη, της παχυσαρκίας και του διαβητικού ποδιού στο Διαβητολογικό κέντρο της Α’ Προπαιδευτικής Παθολογικής Κλινικής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και επί 7 έτη συμμετείχε στην εξέταση και παρακολούθηση ασθενών του Τακτικού Εξωτερικού Διαβητολογικού Ιατρείου, ασθενών του Ιατρείου Παχυσαρκίας , ασθενών του Ιατρείου Διαβητικού Ποδιού καθώς και Χειρουργηθέντων διαβητικών ατόμων. Παρακολούθησε και συμμετείχε στα μαθήματα και στις τακτικές βιβλιογραφικές ενημερώσεις του Διαβητολογικού Κέντρου και για 5 έτη είχε ενεργό συμμετοχή στις εργασίες του Τακτικού Εξωτερικού Ιατρείου Υπέρτασης, στην εξέταση και παρακολούθηση ασθενών του Εξωτερικού Υπερτασικού Ιατρείου, υπό την εποπτεία του Αναπληρωτή καθηγητή κ. Δ. Παπαδόγιαννη. Από το 2012 έως και σήμερα, παρακολούθησε και συμμετείχε στις εργασίες του Ιατρείου Διαβητικού Ποδιού της Α’ Προπαιδευτικής Κλινικής και Ειδικής Νοσολογίας του Διαβητολογικού Ιατρείου και του Ιατρείου Παχυσαρκίας. Το 2020 έλαβε τον τίτλο της Ιατρικής Εξειδίκευσης στον Σακχαρώδη Διαβήτη κατόπιν εξετάσεων που διενεργήθηκαν από το Υπουργείο Υγείας στο Λαϊκό Νοσοκομείο. Έχει συμμετάσχει σε πολλά σεμινάρια, συνέδρια ελληνικά και παγκόσμια με γνωστικό αντικείμενο τον Σακχαρώδη Διαβήτη και την Παχυσαρκία και στο γνωστικό αντικείμενο της Παθολογίας και της Υπέρτασης και έχει συμμετάσχει σε επιστημονικές ανακοινώσεις σε συνέδρια. Είναι συγγραφέας του βιβλίου με γνωστικό αντικείμενο την Υπέρταση "Η επιρροή της αρτηριακής υπέρτασης και της φαρμακευτικής αγωγής στην ποιότητα ζωής σε ασθενείς άνω των 65 ετών", που ανακοινώθηκε στο 21ο Πανευρωπαϊκό Συνέδριο στο Μιλάνο Ιούνιο 2011.Οι εξετάσεις που γίνονται στο ιατρείο είναι τεστ ανίχνευσης καλπροτεκτίνης στα κόπρανα για τη διάγνωση φλεγμονής εντέρου, τεστ ανίχνευσης αίματος (μη ορατού) στα κόπρανα για πρόληψη του καρκίνου του εντέρου, τεστ ανίχνευσης του ελικοβακτηριδίου του πυλωρού σε αίμα και κόπρανα, τεστ για λοιμώδη μονοπυρήνωση, καθώς και strep test για διάγνωση στρεπτόκοκκου σε πονόλαιμο. Παρέχεται γραμματειακή υποστήριξη για κλείσιμο ραντεβού και η δυνατότητα εξυπηρέτησης μέσω τηλεϊατρικής (μέσω Skype, Messenger, Viber, Face time, κλπ.). Τέλος, στο ιατρείο υπάρχει σύστημα συνεχούς καταγραφής του σακχάρου για μια βδομάδα (holter σακχάρου) και γίνεται επίσης εκμάθηση υπολογισμού των υδατανθράκων της τροφής.

Zisiadis Dimitris MD, MSc, PhDc, is a General Surgeon and Director of the Surgical Clinic at the Medical Center of Athens - Psychiko, with private practices in Kifisia, Agios Dimitrios, Ilion, and Psychiko. He is a PhD candidate at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a master's degree in Bioethics from the Medical School of Democritus University of Thrace. Additionally, it is worth mentioning his specialization in Laparoscopic Surgery from the University of Strasbourg in France, Minimally Invasive surgery for inguinal hernia repair at IRCAD, and training in robot-assisted laparoscopic surgery. He has participated in thousands of surgeries for critically ill patients during his surgical practice in the public sector, as well as numerous advanced surgical reconstructions abroad, with a strong commitment to implementing these techniques in Greece. He has served as a collaborating Surgeon in numerous private centers in Greece, Italy, and the UK (London), participating in a wide range of general, laparoscopic, and robotic surgical procedures. He employs the most modern equipment and state-of-the-art techniques worldwide. He has also been trained in the repair of inguinal hernia, hydrocele, and ventral hernia using double mesh and local anesthesia. Finally, he has actively participated in numerous surgical conferences in Greece and courses organized by the Hellenic Surgical Society.

Zaxarodimos Nikolaos is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, a doctoral candidate at the Laboratory of Dietetics and Quality of Life of the Agricultural University of Athens, and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. He graduated from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and holds a master's degree in "Molecular and Applied Physiology" from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a research specialization in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Simultaneously, he collaborates with medical clinics, hospitals, and fitness centers, offering personalized nutrition programs and body composition analyses. His professional experience includes salaried practice at the General Hospital of Athens "Laiko," participation in research projects and scholarships within the framework of the "Research – Create – Innovate" initiatives, and active involvement with publications in international journals and conferences both in Greece and abroad. He also has experience as a lecturer and trainer for students, as well as extensive volunteer work in nutritional education activities. Furthermore, the specialist is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians and Nutritionists and ACSM Exercise is Medicine Greece. Finally, at his dietetic office in Agia Paraskevi, he provides nutritional guidance for conditions such as diabetes, obesity, autoimmune diseases, irritable bowel syndrome, and muscle strengthening.

Borsa Dimitra is a Dietitian-Nutritionist and a top graduate of the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University. She holds a postgraduate diploma in Clinical Nutrition from the same university and maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. During her studies, she actively participated in intensive research activities and obtained scientific publications. Furthermore, she has successfully completed a seminar titled "Specialist in Sports Nutrition" under the auspices of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. She has a strong interest in current scientific data and contemporary recommendations in the fields of weight management, nutritional counseling, clinical and sports nutrition, for which she regularly attends conferences and workshops. The principle of her dietetic practice is a personalized nutritional approach based on the medical and nutritional history, needs, and lifestyle of each individual.

Valia Xristopoulou - Theranous is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist based at the private TheraNous office in Drosia. She holds a degree in Psychology from the University of Ioannina and is a postgraduate student at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens in the "Early Intervention in Psychosis" program. She specializes in stress management, with a particular focus on early intervention in forms of psychopathology, mental, and emotional disorders. She has completed the Clinical Psychopathology Postgraduate Seminar "Panagiotis Oulis" of the 1st Psychiatric Clinic of NKUA and the Interdepartmental Training Program of the Hellenic Society of Group Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, focusing on group dynamics. She has worked as a Psychologist at KETHEA Epirus and the Psychiatric Clinic of the General Hospital of Argolida, where she gained valuable experience supporting individuals with addictions as well as managing severe mental disorders in a hospital setting. Simultaneously, she is training in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy through the five-year program of the Hellenic Society of Group Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy (HSGPP), strengthening her theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. Her goal is to provide meaningful psychological support, both through individual and group sessions, tailored to the needs of each person seeking help and change in their life.

Maria Mantzourani is a Dietitian - Nutritionist with private practices in Nea Ionia and Nea Erythrea. She holds a degree from the Department of Dietetics - Nutrition at Harokopio University and a degree from the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has over 10 years of experience as a Dietitian - Nutritionist, as well as an exercise and fitness consultant, having managed thousands of cases. She possesses expertise in body weight management for adults and children, offering personalized nutrition programs and specialized services for clinical cases (such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, and others). Additionally, she has significant experience in regulating and improving metabolic rate and provides specifically tailored programs for pregnant and breastfeeding women, along with appropriate education and thorough information on their nutritional needs. Moreover, she designs programs tailored to the nutritional requirements of athletes, students, adolescents, and the elderly, offers individualized monitoring for cases of eating disorders, and monitors body composition through detailed anthropometric and body fat measurements. Finally, she is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians-Nutritionists and other associations in Greece and abroad, and consistently attends conferences organized by the Medical and Pharmaceutical Association.

Manolopoulou Thomi is a Clinical Psychologist - Psychoanalyst and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipoi. She studied Psychology at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and subsequently pursued postgraduate studies in Clinical Psychology and Psychopathology as well as in "Psychoanalysis and Social Field" at the University of Paris. Additionally, she has trained in Psychoanalysis at the Psychoanalysis School of the Lacanian Field Forums in Paris and is a member of the clinical training committee of the Athens Forum (Psychoanalysis School of the Lacanian Field Forums), serving as a lecturer and seminar facilitator. She has extensive clinical experience, having worked both in Greece and abroad in hospitals, NGOs, and other institutions, such as the Psychiatric Hospital of Prémontré in France (where she holds a position as Clinical Psychologist and seminar facilitator), the Intensive Psychiatric Care Unit of Château-Thierry Prisons, and the Reception Center for Refugees and Asylum Seekers in Thessaloniki. Simultaneously, she provides supervision to trainee Psychoanalysts, Clinical Psychologists, Psychiatrists, and Educators.

Dr. Panagou Maria MD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist with private practices in Melissia and Koropi. She graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed her specialization in Endocrinology, as well as in Pathology, at the Endocrinology Clinic of the General Hospital of Melissia "Amalia Fleming". Alongside her private practices, she currently serves as the Scientific Director of the Endocrinology Department at the Medical Diagnostic Center "Praxis Hygeias," and in the past, she was the Scientific Director of the Endocrinology Department at the South East Aigaion Clinic in Mykonos. Finally, Dr. Panagou has extensive experience in thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis.