Health professionals for Obesity in Attica

Synetos Dionysios is a Psychologist - Psychotherapist who maintains a private practice in Chalandri. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of East London, and has specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling in Kallithea. He has completed an internship at the Alzheimer Day Center in Maroussi and has managed cases at the Psychogeriatric Society "Nestor" as part of his CBT internship and continues to volunteer there to this day. Additionally, he has worked privately with individuals with autism and currently works at the Day Center of PESOPSY in Vyronas.

• Η Λούφα Θεοδώρα είναι Παθολόγος-Διαβητολόγος και διατηρεί ιδιωτικό ιατρείο στην Καλλιθέα. Είναι απόφοιτη της Ιατρικής σχολής του Αριστοτέλειου Πανεπιστήμιου Θεσσαλονίκης και Διδάκτωρ στο Εθνικό και Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών. Τελείωσε την 5ετή εκπαίδευση στην Κλινική της Παθολογικής Φυσιολογίας του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών του ΛαΪκού Νοσοκομείου. Υπηρέτησε από 9/3/2001 ως επιμελήτρια & Διευθύντρια από το 2016 έως το 2023 στο Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Ασκληπιείο Βούλας ως ειδικός παθολόγος & από το 2008 έως 2023 επιστημονικά υπεύθυνος του εξωτερικού Διαβητολογικού Ιατρείου αυτού. Επιπλέον διετέλεσε από 1992 έως 1997 Διευθύντρια στην Θεραπευτική Κλινική Αθηνών Συγγρού 202 Καλλιθέας.
• Επί 6ετία τακτικό μέλος στο Επιστημονικό Συμβούλιο του Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Ασκληπιείου Βούλας.
• Διευθύντρια Σύνταξης στο περιοδικό «Ασκληπιειακά Χρονικά»
• Μέλος της Συντακτικής Επιτροπής του περιοδικού «Σύγχρονη Ιατρική Ενημέρωση-Current Medical Journal.»
• Έχει διατελέσει μέλος της Επιστημονικής Επιτροπής του περιοδικού «Ιατρικά Χρονικά»
• Μέλος Ελληνικής Διαβητολογικής Εταιρείας
• Μέλος της Eυρωπαϊκής Διαβητολογική Εταιρείας. EASD
• Μέλος Ελληνικής Εταιρίας Στρατηγικών Μελετών Διαβήτη (ΕΛΕΣΜΕΔ)
• Μέλος Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Μελέτης & Εκπαίδευσης Για τον Σακχαρώδη Διαβήτη.
• Πρώην Δ.Ε.Β.Ε.
• Μέλος Ελληνικής Εταιρίας Εσωτερικής Παθολογίας
• Συμμετοχή στην Μελέτη «REDIT-2-DIAG» με τίτλο «Πανελλαδική Μελέτη Καταγραφής της Νεφρικής Νόσου σε Ασθενείς με Διαβήτη Τύπου 2» της Ελληνικής Διαβητολογικής Εταιρείας
• Παρακολούθηση πληθώρας Συνεδρίων. Συμμετοχή σαν ομιλήτρια και Προεδρεία Επιστημονικών Συνεδρίων.
• Συγγραφή επιστημονικών Άρθρων δημοσιευμένων σε έγκριτα περιοδικά που κατέχουν την εθνική αναγνώριση.
• Λόγω της επί σειρά ετών Νοσοκομειακής εμπειρίας της, έχει την ικανότητα της προσέγγισης και διαχείρισης όλων των νοσημάτων της Εσωτερικής Παθολογίας και της Διαβητολογίας.

Ioanna Skrapari MD, PhD is an Internal Medicine Specialist - Diabetologist and maintains a private practice in Argyroupoli. She studied Medicine at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Internal Medicine at the Alexandra General Hospital of Athens. She holds a Doctorate degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens as well as a specialization certificate in Diabetes Mellitus. Currently, after many years of experience, she is a Director at the National Health System (ESY) at the Evangelismos General Hospital of Athens and Head of the Diabetology Clinic in the 3rd Internal Medicine Department of the same hospital. She has participated as a speaker in numerous medical conferences and scientific seminars and has a substantial body of written work with publications in international and Greek scientific journals.

Kiortsis Dimitrios, Endocrinologist - Diabetologist, is a Professor at the Medical School of the University of Ioannina. He maintains private practices in Athens and Ioannina. He received specialized training in Paris at the university hospitals Pitie-Salpetriere, Saint Louis, Hotel Dieu, Trousseau, and Cochin. He holds the three-year diploma in Endocrinology-Metabolic Diseases (DU Paris V). He earned his doctorate (PhD) through collaboration between the Universities of Paris (Paris VI) and Athens. He has 35 years of experience across the full spectrum of endocrine disorders, with particular expertise in obesity and metabolic diseases. He is a European-certified specialist and trainer of young physicians in obesity (European Scope). He has served as President of the Hellenic Medical Society of Obesity and is currently President of the Hellenic Society of Metabolism, Nutrition, and Wellness. His original research work includes over 200 publications in international journals and numerous chapters in both international and Greek medical books. His work has received multiple awards. He continues his research in collaboration with leading institutions in Europe and the USA. His clinic offers a fully personalized approach to the entire range of endocrine disorders, with an emphasis on modern therapeutic management of metabolic diseases and obesity. By combining academic research with extensive clinical experience, his goal is to improve patient quality of life through scientifically substantiated knowledge.

Artemis Kyrka, MSc., RD., is a registered Dietitian and founder of the online clinic WellPlate. She offers modern online dietetic services to patients of all ages, with the primary goal of changing their dietary behaviours and improving their relationship with food.

She works with cases such as weight management through intuitive eating programmes and behaviour change techniques, women's health, fertility, gut health, and paediatric & adolescent nutrition. She provides evidence-based and practical guidance tailored to each individual's needs.

She holds an MSc in "Women & Children's Health" from King's College London and has trained in diabetes clinics serving the general population, pregnant women, children, and young people at Guy's & St Thomas' Foundation Trust.

She brings years of experience from voluntary work in South Africa, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom, delivering nutrition and hygiene education to children from diverse populations. She collaborates with SLP, OT, IVF units, gynaecologists, and paediatricians, offering holistic and personalised care to her patients.

Her mission is to provide flexible, evidence-based nutritional support, empowering patients to transform their dietary behaviours and improve their relationship with food, enhancing their overall health and well-being.

Dr. Kaza Maria, MD, MSc, PhD, is a Endocrinologist – Diabetologist | Metabolism Specialist and maintains a private practice in Gerakas. She is a contracted Lecturer at the Department of Pharmacy of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She is a distinguished PhD graduate of the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a doctoral thesis entitled "Effect of physical activity on the physical and mental well-being of children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus". She completed with Distinction her postgraduate studies in Endocrinology and Diabetes (MSc in Endocrinology and Diabetes) at the Medical School of Queen Mary University of London (Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, UK) and is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Patras. She has trained in hospitals in Greece and the United Kingdom and possesses extensive clinical experience in a wide range of endocrinological disorders, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus, gestational diabetes, obesity, thyroid diseases, osteoporosis and endocrine disorders of pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, menstrual disorders, adrenal and pituitary diseases, and endocrine hypertension. Her research and academic activities further include publications in international medical journals, participation in Greek and international conferences, as well as teaching experience in the Departments of Dietetics and Sport Science at Metropolitan and Mediterranean College. She is a member of the Hellenic Endocrine Society, the General Medical Council (GMC) of the UK, and the Medical Association of Athens. Finally, she holds certificates in English and French languages. 

Dr. Panagou Maria MD is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist and maintains 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." In addition to her private practices, she is currently the Scientific Director of the Endocrinology Department at the Medical Diagnostic Center "Praxis Ygeias," and previously served as the Scientific Director of the Endocrinology Department at the South East Aigaion Clinic in Mykonos. Finally, Dr. Panagou has particular expertise in thyroid disorders, diabetes mellitus, and osteoporosis.

Katsantonis Vasilis is a Psychologist with a private practice in Gkyzi. He is a doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford, specializing in Applied Psychology, with at least 15 years of experience in this field as well as in Clinical and Forensic Psychology. He holds a degree in Applied Psychology from Seattle University, Washington, and a master's diploma in Applied Psychology from the University of Oxford, as well as in Clinical and Forensic Psychology from the University of Portsmouth. Additionally, he has ten years of experience in Counseling Psychology. He is also a member of the American Psychological Association.

Iliopoulos Dimitrios MD, PhD is a Specialist in Internal Medicine - Diabetology with a private practice in Marousi. He holds a PhD from the Medical School of the University of Crete. He has specialized training in diabetology and serves as a scientific collaborator at the diabetes center of the 2nd University Clinic at the General Hospital of Athens "Hippokration." He is also an internal medicine collaborator at the "Mitera" Hospital. His primary goal is a patient-friendly approach, thorough clinical examination, and timely diagnosis and management of medical issues. In a simple and explanatory manner, patients fully understand their condition, are informed about the latest medical data, and have any questions addressed. The practice manages a wide range of conditions such as infections, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, metabolic syndrome, and hyperlipidemia (cholesterol). Preventive screening is also conducted, including clinical examinations and the prescription of laboratory and imaging tests. Finally, the physician provides health certificates for sports and work, as well as medical reports for submission to KEPA committees.

Ο Σκαράκης Νικήτας ΜD, MSc, PhD(c) είναι Στρατιωτικός Ιατρός, Ενδοκρινολόγος - Διαβητολόγος και υποψήφιος Διδάκτωρ της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών. Διαθέτει πτυχίο Ιατρικής από την Ιατρική Σχολή του Αριστοτελείου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης και είναι απόφοιτος της Στρατιωτικής Σχολής Αξιωματικών Σωμάτων (Σ.Σ.Α.Σ.). Ειδικεύτηκε στην Ενδοκρινολογία, στο Ενδοκρινολογικό Τμήμα του Γενικού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών "Γ. Γεννηματάς", στην Α΄ Παθολογική Κλινική του Ναυτικού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών και στην Γ' Παιδιατρική Κλινική της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών στο νέο Γενικό Πανεπιστημιακό Νοσοκομείο ΑΤΤΙΚΟΝ , όπου εκπαιδεύτηκε στην αντιμετώπιση περιστατικών παιδιατρικής Ενδοκρινολογίας. Επίσης, κατά τη διάρκεια της Ειδικότητας εκπαιδεύτηκε στην αντιμετώπιση Ενδοκρινοπαθειών και Σαχαρώδους Διαβήτη στην Κύηση στο Ενδοκρινολογικό Τμήμα του Γενικού Νοσοκομείου - Μαιευτηρίου "Έλενα Βενιζέλου" και στην αντιμετώπιση παθήσεων Εμμηνόπαυσης στο Πανεπιστημιακό Τμήμα Κλιμακτηρίου - Εμμηνόπαυσης της Β΄ Μαιευτικής και Γυναικολογικής Κλινικής του Αρεταιείου Νοσοκομείου. Μετά την ολοκλήρωση της Ειδικότητας ο Ιατρός εξειδικεύτηκε στη Γυναικεία Αναπαραγωγή, καθώς και στις παθήσεις Επινεφριδίων - Ενδοκρινικής Υπέρτασης. Είναι κάτοχος Μεταπτυχιακού Διπλώματος (MSc) ειδίκευσης "Έρευνα στη Γυναικεία Αναπαραγωγή" της Ιατρικής Σχολής του Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών (Βαθμός "Άριστα"). Είναι Επιμελητής στο Τμήμα Ενδοκρινολογίας, Σακχαρώδους Διαβήτη και Μεταβολισμού στο Ναυτικό Νοσοκομείο Αθηνών (Ν.Ν.Α.), όπου αντιμετωπίζει περιστατικά που άπτονται του επιστημονικού πεδίου της Ενδοκρινολογίας και του Διαβήτη. Είναι επιστημονικός συνεργάτης της Μονάδας Παιδο-ενδοκρινολογίας, Μεταβολισμού και Σακχαρώδους Διαβήτη του Π.Γ.Ν. ΑΤΤΙΚΟΝ . Διαθέτει πλούσια ερευνητική δραστηριότητα με δημοσιευμένες εργασίες σε ιατρικά περιοδικά της διεθνούς βιβλιογραφίας και ανακοινώσεις σε ελληνικά και διεθνή συνέδρια. Είναι μέλος της Ελληνικής Ενδοκρινολογικής Εταιρείας. Διατηρεί ιδιωτικό ιατρείο στο Περιστέρι.

Segredou Markella is a Rehabilitation Physician with specialized training in the application of Medical Acupuncture. She is an instructor at the International Postgraduate Acupuncture Center and the Acupuncture Program of the University of West Attica for healthcare professionals. Since 2006, she has been a member of the Board of Directors of the Hellenic Medical Acupuncture Society. Additionally, she has received training in the diagnosis and management of chronic pain in Milan, Italy (4th Montescano EFIC School), and has completed the Continuing Education Program in Algology offered by the Hellenic Algology Society - EFIC, as well as participated in the activities of the Pain Management Clinic at Toronto Western Hospital in Canada. She completed her medical specialty in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Attikon General Hospital of Attica KAT. She was trained in acupuncture application at the International Postgraduate Acupuncture Center (2002 - 2004) and subsequently at the International University of Chinese Medicine in Beijing (2005 and 2007), and has been involved with Medical Acupuncture since 2002. Notably, she played a decisive role in the establishment, organization, and operation of the outpatient pain clinic and its management with acupuncture and other methods at the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic of the Attikon General Hospital of Attica KAT. Finally, she has participated in numerous conferences and workshops, delivering lectures focusing on pain and its management as well as the role of Medical Acupuncture in broader medical issues.

Dr. Maria Livanou, PhD, MSc, Senior Lecturer, is a Psychologist and Psychotherapist specializing in child and adolescent therapy, with a particular emphasis on the psychodynamic approach. She has an academic background in the United States and the United Kingdom and holds an academic post at King’s College London (KCL). Her research focuses on child and adolescent mental health.

Her therapeutic approach is primarily grounded in psychodynamic therapy, aiming to understand deeper emotional processes and relationship patterns. At the same time, it remains individualized and holistic, responding to the unique needs of each child, adolescent, adult, and family.

During sessions, parental counselling and parent therapy are offered—from pregnancy through the early years of the child—along with support for families during early parenthood. Discussions may include topics related to early child development and the parent–infant relationship. She places particular emphasis on addressing communication difficulties, enhancing psychological well-being, building self-confidence, and improving social relationships.

She works with a wide range of issues concerning childhood and adolescence, including:

• Anxiety and anxiety disorders (generalized anxiety, panic attacks)
• Phobias, separation anxiety, and attachment issues
• Depressive mood, depression, social withdrawal
• Adjustment difficulties and emotional distress
• Psychosomatic symptom
• Low self-esteem
• Difficulties in communication and social relationships, family conflicts, and adaptation to change (e.g., divorce)
• Grief and loss management
• Eating disorders, disordered eating, and body image concerns
• School-related difficulties, academic stress, and performance anxiety
• Issues of identity, self-image, and adolescent development
• Conduct problems, anger management difficulties, delinquent behavior
• Family counselling and therapy
• Neurodevelopmental difficulties (e.g., autism, ADHD)
• Trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), developmental trauma, and adverse childhood experiences

Oikonomou Eirini is a Psychologist with a private practice in Panormou. She studied Psychology at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed postgraduate studies in Health Psychology at the University of Surrey. She has specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy at the Center for Research and Therapy of Behavior. She served as a Researcher at the University of Oxford, gaining significant research and teaching experience. Her scientific interests include chronic diseases, eating disorders, and more. In her practice, she handles cases related to interpersonal relationships, trauma recovery, self-improvement, obsessive-compulsive disorder treatment, anxiety disorders, phobias, eating disorders, addictions, and others.

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.

Papaxatzakis Ioannis is an Intensivist and Internist who maintains a private practice in Glyfada. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Patras, specialized in Internal Medicine with postgraduate studies and is a PhD candidate. He works as a Senior Registrar in the ICU of the Errikos Dynan Hospital Center.

Maria Thliverou is a Mental Health Counselor and Psychotherapist, maintaining a private practice in Peristeri. She completed her studies in Counseling at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling. Subsequently, she pursued a postgraduate seminar in learning difficulties and special education issues at the University of Ioannina. Additionally, she attended a postgraduate seminar in the design and coordination of psychoeducational groups at the Center for Applied Psychotherapy and Counseling and a postgraduate seminar titled “Promotion of Mental Health in Children and Adolescents” at the University of West Attica. She has experience and specializes in self-awareness groups, individual therapy, and parent counseling.