Health professionals for Obesity

Ranoutsou Georgia is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in Heraklion, Crete. She holds a degree in Sociology from the School of Social Sciences at the University of Crete and a degree in Psychology from the School of Social Sciences at MBS College. She has worked as a Psychologist in the private practice of Ioanna Niakaki, in the breast cancer organization, in the Psychiatric Clinic of Venizeleio - Pananio Hospital, and in the Oncology Clinic of the Regional University General Hospital of Heraklion. Additionally, she has worked as a Psychologist in the Pathology Clinic at the "ALLILEGGYIS" Alzheimer's Center and as a Psychologist - Sociologist at the Mental Health Center of Rethymno. In her practice, she addresses cases across the entire spectrum of psychology and mental health, with a specialization in couples therapy, depression, and anxiety and mood disorders.

Drimala Panagiota is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Ampelokipi. She studied at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism at the largest autonomous Endocrinology Clinic and Diabetology Center in the country, located at the "Evangelismos" hospital. There, she gained extensive experience in managing patients with diabetes mellitus. Additionally, she specialized in gestational diabetes and thyroid diseases during pregnancy at the "Alexandra" and "Elena Venizelou" hospitals. As part of her continuous professional development, she has attended postgraduate programs related to Human Reproduction, Childhood Obesity, as well as specialized training in Thyroid Ultrasound at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.

Samara Anastasia is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist and maintains her private practice in the center of Thessaloniki. She is a graduate of the Psychology Department of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and has completed her postgraduate studies with distinction in “Clinical Mental Health” (M.Sc. Clinical Mental Health) at the School of Medicine of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. During her postgraduate studies, she had the opportunity to conduct her thesis research in the field of Anxiety and Depressive Disorders and to participate in research groups. Additionally, she has specialized in Person-Centered and Focusing Experiential Counseling Psychotherapy through the completion of the four-year program at the Hellenic Center for Focusing. During her studies and as part of her internship, she gained experience working in various settings, including the acute ward III of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, the 2nd University Clinic of the Psychiatric Hospital of Thessaloniki, the Social Service of the Hellenic Youth Association of Thessaloniki, the Non-Governmental Organization “METAdrasi,” and lifelong learning centers and educational institutions, where she coordinated parent groups. In recent years, she has been working as a Psychologist at the Non-Governmental Organization “ARSIS,” where she supports adults and adolescents from diverse social groups.

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.

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.

Pantelis Athanasios MD, MSc (QMUL), FMBS, SCOPE Cert., FACS, is a General Surgeon with a private practice in Ilion. He specializes in Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery, is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, and holds two postgraduate degrees from Queen Mary University of London and the Medical School of Athens. He has received specialized training in laparoscopic and minimally invasive surgery as well as in obesity and metabolic disease surgery, having trained at the prestigious Mohak centers in India and Ponderas in Romania as a fellow of the European Association for Endoscopic Surgery (EAES). He has gained experience in hospitals in Greece and abroad, having served as a Consultant Surgeon in hospitals in Bucharest and India. Currently, he is a Consultant Surgeon at the Psychiko Medical Center and a Scientific Collaborator at the 1st Propaedeutic Surgical Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at the General Hospital of Athens "Hippocrates." He maintains an active research portfolio, is an author and reviewer for international medical journals, and regularly participates in international conferences and educational programs. His expertise includes minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic surgery), bariatric and metabolic disease surgery, as well as the modern management of abdominal wall hernias, digestive system diseases, and thyroid gland disorders. His approach is founded on consistency, scientific evidence, and respect for the patient.

Ms. Fregkou Nikolina is a Psychologist graduated from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, holding a professional license with a specialization in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Hellenic Society for Behavioral Research - EEEΣ). She conducts adult sessions in person in the center of Athens as well as remotely (online). Simultaneously, she works at the Polydynamic Clinics of the Municipality of Athens, providing counseling services through individual sessions.

She has worked as a psychotherapeutic psychologist in various settings with 15 years of experience. Throughout her professional career, she continuously evolves by participating in trainings, seminars, conferences, and workshops.

As a professional and companion on the journey of therapy, she operates with empathy and authenticity, providing the appropriate tools to address the issues that concern her clients.

Prentza Vasiliki is a Pathologist - Diabetologist who maintains private clinics in Haidari and Aspropyrgos. She holds a Ph.D. from the Medical School, a Master's Degree in "Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity," and a degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Dr. Vasiliki completed her specialization in Pathology at the 2nd Pathology Department of the General Regional Hospital of Western Attica and at the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos." She has specialized in the Diagnosis and Monitoring of diabetic patients, having trained at the 2nd University Pathology Clinic of Hippocrates Hospital of Athens. During her career, she has worked as a Specialist Physician in the Health Committees of the Centers for Disability Certification (KE.P.A.) and in the Emergency Department of "Hygeia" Hospital. In her clinic, she provides comprehensive information and education to patients on issues related to diabetes complications, diabetic nutrition, insulin therapy, as well as the prevention and management of hypoglycemia. She also treats a wide range of conditions, including metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, triglycerides, hypertension, and cholesterol. She has published articles in international scientific journals and participates in educational lectures for local groups and associations, as well as conferences on Pathology and Diabetology in Greece and abroad. She also contributes articles to newspapers and health-related magazines.

Vasiliki Antoniou is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders and obesity, providing online sessions. Her engagement with psychology began as a personal quest for meaning and understanding and evolved into a professional career aimed at supporting individuals facing challenges related to weight, nutrition, and body image. She is a graduate of the Psychological Sciences and Techniques program at Guglielmo Marconi University and is certified as a Master Practitioner in Eating Disorders and Obesity by the Center for Training and Treatment of Eating Disorders (KEADD). Currently, she is training in the Systemic Approach, enhancing her therapeutic practice with tools that focus on the dynamics of relationships, family, and the broader environment of the individual. In her professional practice, she collaborates with a pathologist in Athens, offering psychological support to individuals with increased body weight. Through a holistic approach, she helps people restore their relationship with food, their body, and, on a deeper level, with themselves. Finally, her specialist work focuses on individual sessions aimed at enhancing self-observation and managing emotional binge eating.

Markada Al Xasount Aleksandra is a Dietitian practicing in Galatsi. She studied at the University of Hertfordshire and has worked as a Dietitian at the Cardiology Clinic of the University General Hospital "Attikon" and at Metaxa Hospital. She possesses extensive experience and manages issues such as the management of diabetes mellitus, obesity, eating disorders, nutritional counseling, clinical nutrition, and more.

Pop Olympia MSc is a Psychologist who maintains a private practice in the center of Athens, specializing in psychological assessment, psychotherapy, and counseling. She obtained her degree from the University of Bucharest, which was subsequently recognized by DOATAP. She pursued further training in Applied Psychology with a specialization in Counseling at the American College of Greece. She has collaborated with and provided psychological services in various private and public institutions, such as the social service of the Agios Eleftherios municipal clinics, the social service of the Municipality of Keratsini - Drapetsona, and the Network for Children's Rights. She has received training and provides supervised psychological services in the following areas: assessment of minors and parental counseling at the Child Mental Health Center, assessment of the elderly and caregiver counseling at the Alzheimer Center of the Nestor Psychogeriatric Society, and group support in the reintegration department for individuals over 18 years old. Since 2009, she has been a member of the Hellenic Association of Psychologists.

Meletiou Thaleia is a specialized Endocrinologist-Diabetologist with a private practice in Pagkrati. She has extensive clinical and research experience in Greece and Germany. She specialized in Endocrinology, Diabetology, and Metabolism at the University Hospital of Tübingen - Bad Cannstatt Hospital in Stuttgart, the University Hospital of Giessen, and the Endocrinology and Gestational Diabetes departments at the "Alexandra" University General Hospital in Athens. She actively participates in numerous endocrinology and diabetology conferences for continuous education and updates in her field. Additionally, she is a member of the Hellenic Endocrine Society and the Athens Medical Association.

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.

Gkolfinou Zoi is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Nea Ionia. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). She has gained valuable experience in the field of Endocrinology - Diabetology at the General Hospital of Athens "Alexandra" and at the General Cancer Hospital of Athens "Agios Savvas." Furthermore, the specialist has participated in numerous endocrinology and diabetology conferences aiming at continuous education and updating on endocrinology topics. She has been trained and possesses extensive clinical experience in a wide range of endocrine disorders, including type 1 & 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, thyroid and parathyroid diseases, osteoporosis and calcium metabolism disorders, endocrine disorders during pregnancy, menstrual irregularities, adrenal and pituitary diseases, endocrine hypertension, as well as obesity. Lastly, the physician is a member of the Athens Medical Association and the Hellenic Endocrine Society.

Xantzaridis Petros is a Military Dietitian - Nutritionist, founder and Director of the Clinical Diet dietetic office in Agia Paraskevi. He was admitted to the Veterinary Medicine Department of the Military School of Officers Corps (SSAS) in Thessaloniki and was commissioned as an Officer of the Hellenic Army in 1996, having been honored with scholarships and commendations from the State Scholarships Foundation (I.K.Y.). In 2000, he was admitted to the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics of the School of Food Technology & Nutrition at ATEI Thessaloniki and graduated in 2003, again receiving scholarships from I.K.Y. In 2009, he was selected by the Health Directorate of the General Staff of the Army as a recipient of an honorary educational scholarship in the field of Dietetics. The prestigious New York University in the United States selected him among numerous candidates from around the world and accepted him into the Graduate Program of Clinical Nutrition, from which he graduated in 2010 with a Master of Science in Clinical Nutrition, receiving favorable reviews from leading international Nutrition professors. Since 2005, he has served for several years as Director of the Dietetic Department of the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens. His daily management of clinical cases at the 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, his extensive experience, and the breadth of his studies allow him to have a comprehensive understanding of the food chain, nutritional risks, and their proper management both preventively and in clinical settings. Finally, upon requests from Harokopio University of Athens and the Department of Nutrition & Dietetics of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete, he has undertaken the training of many final-year students as part of their practical training.

Mparmpari Maria, MD, MSc, PhD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist with extensive qualifications and long-standing clinical and academic experience due to her comprehensive training. She maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. She is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Turin, holding a master's degree in "Research in Female Reproduction" from the Medical School of the University of Athens. She is highly specialized in the morbidity of Obesity, having earned a Doctorate with a dissertation on . She specialized in Endocrinology at the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital of Athens "HIPPOCRATEIO" and in Diabetes at the Diabetology Department of the 2nd University Pathology Clinic of G.N.A HIPPOCRATEIO. Additionally, she was trained at the Pediatric Clinic of the General Children's Hospital of Athens "AGIA SOFIA" in the management of Pediatric Endocrinology cases and at the General Hospital of Athens "Elena Venizelou" in endocrinopathies during pregnancy, with particular emphasis on Gestational Diabetes Mellitus. She possesses extensive clinical experience in all endocrinological diseases concerning the thyroid gland, fertility in both sexes, adrenal and pituitary disorders, menstrual cycle disturbances during adolescence and adulthood including menopause, as well as metabolic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and lipid disorders. She has participated extensively in numerous Greek and international conferences, with various publications in Greek and foreign journals, and has received awards at Greek conference competitions. She is an active member of the Hellenic Endocrine Society and the European Society of Endocrinology - ECE ENDOCRINOLOGY.

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.