Health professionals for Obesity in Attica

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.

Η Σωτηροπούλου Αγγελική MSc είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια με ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Περιστέρι. Έχει αποφοιτήσει από το Πρόγραμμα Ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών και είναι κάτοχος άδειας ασκήσεως επαγγέλματος ψυχολόγου, ενώ κατέχει μεταπτυχιακό τίτλο σπουδών στην Κοινωνική Ψυχολογία (MSc in Social Psychology) από το London School of Economics and Political Science στο Λονδίνο. Επιπροσθέτως, πραγματοποίησε σπουδές στο τμήμα Φιλοσοφίας, Παιδαγωγικής και Ψυχολογίας με εξειδίκευση στην Ψυχολογία στο Καποδιστριακό Πανεπιστήμιο Αθηνών. Στο γραφείο της στο Περιστέρι παρέχει υψηλού επιπέδου υπηρεσίες ψυχολογίας και ψυχοθεραπείας, με επαγγελματισμό και σεβασμό απέναντι στον κάθε ένα από εσάς, βασισμένη στην εμπειρία και τις γνώσεις της. Μέχρι σήμερα η κ. Αγγελική Σωτηροπούλου έχει εργαστεί ως ψυχολόγος σε διάφορα σχολεία της Αττικής, στο τμήμα Διεύθυνσης Αλλοδαπών της Ελληνικής Αστυνομίας, σε διάφορα κέντρα ψυχικής υγείας. Επίσης, έχει εργαστεί ως ψυχολόγος στο τμήμα Ιατρικής, Στατιστικής, Υγιεινής και Επιδημιολογίας της Ιατρικής Σχολής στο πρόγραμμα "Εγκάρδια", που αφορά στην πρόληψη, στον προσυμπτωματικό έλεγχο και στην παρέμβαση στην κοινότητα στα καρδιαγγειακά νοσήματα στην Αττική. Ακόμη έχει εργαστεί στον τομέα διαχείρισης ανθρωπίνων πόρων και δημοσίων σχέσεων για λογαριασμό μεγάλων πολυεθνικών εταιρειών. Επίσης, κατέχει μεγάλη εμπειρία και γνώση σε θέματα μετανάστευσης, διαπολιτισμικής ψυχολογίας, καθώς έχει εργαστεί για πολλά χρόνια με ευάλωτες ομάδες και πληθυσμούς από διάφορα πολυπολιτισμικά περιβάλλοντα, όπως για παράδειγμα σε σχολεία, κέντρα κράτησης μεταναστών, κοινωνικά ιατρεία, νοσοκομεία. Ασχολείται με την αξιολόγηση, τη συμβουλευτική και την ψυχοθεραπεία, καθώς και με την διεξαγωγή σεμιναρίων σε ομάδες και εταιρείες. Επίσης, συνεργάζεται με παιδιά, εφήβους και ενηλίκους (ατομικά, με ζευγάρια ή οικογένειες). Δεν ασχολείται με τοξικοεξαρτήσεις και αυτισμό. Παράλληλα, έχει εργαστεί ως Ψυχολόγος για την ΜΚΟ Ευρωπαϊκή Έκφραση / European Expression, στο πλαίσιο του έργου "Λειτουργία ανοικτής δομής φιλοξενίας αιτούντων άσυλο και ευάλωτων πολιτών τρίτων χωρών, στον Ελαιώνα Αττικής". Στο γραφείο της στο Περιστέρι πραγματοποιεί συμβουλευτικές και θεραπευτικές συνεδρίες, καθώς και σεμινάρια, τόσο στα ελληνικά όσο και στα αγγλικά, ενώ υπάρχει και η δυνατότητα πραγματοποίησης συνεδριών μέσω τηλεδιάσκεψης. Θεμελιώδης αρχή της είναι ο σεβασμός και η κατανόηση των αναγκών και της ιδιαιτερότητας του κάθε ατόμου, ενώ θέση μας είναι ότι για την ψυχοθεραπεία είναι μεγίστης σημασίας η σχέση που χτίζεται μεταξύ ψυχολόγου - ψυχοθεραπευτή και θεραπευόμενου. To γραφείο σύμφωνα με το νόμο "Προστασίας του ατόμου από την επεξεργασία δεδομένων προσωπικού χαρακτήρα" 2472/1997 τηρεί τις αρχές και τον κώδικα δεοντολογίας των επαγγελματιών ψυχικής υγείας, διατηρώντας αυστηρά το επαγγελματικό απόρρητο των πελατών.

Zoi Viky is a General Practitioner and operates a private clinic in Exarchia. She specialized in General Medicine at Papageorgiou Hospital in Thessaloniki and received further training in Diabetes Mellitus at the Dietetic Association of Northern Greece (D.E.V.E). Additionally, she has completed postgraduate studies in Public Health at the National School of Public Health and training in Emergency Medicine at the National Emergency Aid Center. Finally, she possesses substantial clinical and scientific experience.

Ioanna Papadopoulou is a General Surgeon and maintains private practices in Cholargos and Glyfada. She performs exclusively laparoscopic surgery for benign and malignant conditions of the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract, gallbladder and bile ducts, as well as all types of abdominal wall hernias. She received her Medical Degree from the “Gr. T. Popa” University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi in 2012. She completed her rural service at the General Hospital of Messinia – Kyparissia Nursing Unit in 2013–2014. In 2021, she obtained her surgical specialty certification.

During her specialty training, she served at the 417 Army Fund Nursing Institution (N.I.M.T.S), where she specialized in advanced laparoscopic surgery for malignant colon diseases, obesity, reflux, and hernias, as well as thyroid malignancies. Additionally, at the Sismanogleio General Hospital of Athens, she participated in a large volume of colon and thyroid cancer surgeries. Considering that the present of surgery lies in laparoscopic and robotic techniques, she attended advanced laparoscopic seminars organized by ELPEN under the auspices of the Hellenic Surgical Society from 2016 to 2018.

In 2021, she completed further training in Surgical Oncology, earning a Master of Science (MSc) degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Finally, in 2023, she received additional training in the latest methods for managing complex diaphragmatic hernias and reflux at the Symposium on Innovation in Surgery in Malta.

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.

• 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 Lampridou is a Dietitian-Nutritionist based in Kolonaki. She graduated from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland, where she obtained a BSc (Hons) degree in Dietetics-Nutrition. As part of her practical training, she worked in the Clinical Dietetics-Nutrition department of the 424 General Military Hospital of Thessaloniki. She holds specialized certifications such as "Health Behavior Change" from Yale University, "Science of Exercise" from the University of Colorado Boulder, and "Mindfulness and Well-being" from Rice University. In 2025, she will also complete her training as a Master Practitioner in the fields of Obesity-Metabolic Syndrome and Eating Disorders.

She maintains a private practice in Kolonaki, providing personalized nutritional support to individuals with conditions such as autoimmune diseases, obesity, and malnutrition. Additionally, she collaborates with the Dementia Counseling Station of the Municipality of Papagou-Cholargos through the LLM CARE program, where she offers nutritional assessment and support to both people with dementia and their caregivers, informing them about appropriate dietary practices that can improve patients' quality of life.

She has also worked with private educational centers, sharing her experience and knowledge with students in the nutrition field. She is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians and the Diatrofi.gr platform, participating in continuous education and knowledge exchange with other health professionals.

With a deep understanding of each individual's needs and extensive experience in the field of nutrition, Ioanna Lampridou supports her clients in improving their health, well-being, and quality of life.

Giannitsopoulou Kallia MSc, MBA, SRD is a Clinical Dietitian - Nutritionist, practicing continuously since 2003. In 2005, she established the Scientific Dietetic Center "Healthy Body," where she has helped over 3000 individuals find solutions to body weight issues to date. She graduated with honors from the University of Surrey in the United Kingdom (2002) and obtained two postgraduate degrees: a Master's in Clinical Nutrition (MSc) from the University of Surrey with distinction (2003) and an MBA (2011) from the University of Leicester. Additionally, she has studied Life Coaching (Dip in Coach.) and successfully applies self-improvement techniques in nutrition sessions. The combination of coaching knowledge and clinical nutrition optimizes results in weight management as it aids in a better psychological approach to the individual. Ms. Giannitsopoulou has a rich portfolio of publications since 2005 in health magazines and newspapers and is intensively engaged in weight loss, clinical nutrition, eating disorders, and nutrition across life stages.

Komninou Eui is a Psychologist, graduate of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, with a professional license to practice. She conducts online counseling and psychotherapy sessions with children, adolescents, and adults. She maintains a strong commitment to continuous education and professional development, having attended numerous seminars and specialized training programs. Since 2023, she has gained valuable experience by completing her internship at the Mental Health Center of the Armed Forces. She has engaged in both psychological assessment using psychometric tools and individual and group sessions with children, adolescents, adults, and families, addressing issues such as addiction management, bridging family relationships, couples therapy, parental counseling, self-image improvement, and enhancing self-awareness. Her goal is to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment where authentic connection and meaningful psychological support are cultivated with respect for the uniqueness of each individual, through an approach grounded in empathy and acceptance. She invests in creating a trusting space where the individual can freely express themselves without fear of judgment. In this context, particular emphasis is placed on psychological safety, confidentiality, and a consistent therapeutic relationship, taking into account the needs, experiences, and uniqueness of each person.

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.

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.

Η Ηλιοπούλου Τέτα είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας με πολυετή επαγγελματική εμπειρία, η οποία ξεπερνά τα είκοσι έτη. Παρέχει υπηρεσίες συμβουλευτικής και ψυχοθεραπείας, πραγματοποιώντας συνεδρίες δια ζώσης και διαδικτυακά.

Οι σπουδές της περιλαμβάνουν:

·        Κοινωνική Εργασία (Chette College)

·        Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική Ψυχοθεραπεία (Athens Synthesis Centre)

·        Ψυχολογία [BSc (Hons) Psychology 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 υποστήριξη προσφέρει ένα ασφαλές πλαίσιο αποδοχής, σεβασμού και εχεμύθειας. Απευθύνεται σε όσους επιθυμούν να διαχειριστούν προσωπικές ή διαπροσωπικές δυσκολίες, να ξεπεράσουν συναισθηματικά αδιέξοδα και να επενδύσουν στην αυτογνωσία και την προσωπική τους εξέλιξη.

Η θεωρητική προσέγγιση που ακολουθείται είναι συνθετική, συνδυάζοντας στοιχεία και τεχνικές από διαφορετικές κατευθύνσεις, με βασικούς πυλώνες τις εξής:

Τη Γνωσιακή - Συμπεριφορική για αναγνώριση και τροποποίηση του σκεπτικού και της συμπεριφοράς που δείχνουν αδιέξοδα.

Την Ψυχοδυναμική για ιχνηλάτηση του παρελθόντος (πρώιμες παιδικές εμπειρίες) που έχουν διαμορφώσει ένα μοντέλο λειτουργίας του ατόμου.

Την Υπαρξιακή που εστιάζει στις επιλογές του παρόντος, στο προσωπικό νόημα και στις σχέσεις. Παρέχει ένα πλαίσιο διαχείρισης θεμελιωδών υπαρξιακών ζητημάτων (άγχος, μοναξιά, ελευθερία, φόβος θανάτου). Στις ομάδες εφαρμόζεται αποκλειστικά 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. 

Manou Eirini is a Dietitian – Nutritionist, MSc, licensed to practice and maintains a private practice in Patima, Chalandri. She holds a degree from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Technological Educational Institute of Crete and a postgraduate degree in "Nutrition and Exercise" from the Department of Dietetics – Nutrition Science at Harokopio University. She has been trained in the management of eating disorders and obesity at the National Centre for Eating Disorders in the United Kingdom and the Educational and Treatment Center for Eating Disorders in Greece. She completed her internship at the General Hospital of Athens "Sismanoglio – Amalia Fleming" and began working as a Dietitian in the Nutrition Department of the hospital for 4 years, where she dealt with numerous clinical cases. Additionally, she collaborated for several years with various sports facilities and gyms, providing nutritional support and guidance to many athletes. She has extensive experience in the support of cases with eating disorders, regulation of body weight and metabolism, as well as clinical cases. She provides personalized nutrition services based on the needs and habits of her clients. Her goal is to educate and consequently promote the adoption of new, healthy eating habits by her clients, always placing particular emphasis on psychological support and empowerment through counseling. She has attended numerous conferences, seminars, and workshops related to nutrition, exercise, obesity, and psychological support. Her guiding principle is always nutritional and psychological support as well as a holistic and individualized approach for each person, taking into account their desires and lifestyle. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Dietetic and Nutrition Association.

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".

Maria Giannakou is an Endocrinologist and operates a private practice in Vrilissia. She specializes in Diabetes and Metabolism and holds a PhD from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Her doctoral thesis focused on chronic autoimmune thyroiditis and the nutritional and oxidative factors influencing its progression. She has extensive experience in university and hospital settings, having trained at the Center of Expertise for Rare Endocrine Diseases of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos," as well as in the 1st Oncology Clinic of the General Oncology Hospital "Agioi Anargyroi." Currently, she is a consulting endocrinologist at the Endocrinology Unit of the University of Athens and at Medifirst in Marousi. She is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the General Medical Council of the United Kingdom, and the Endocrinological Society, remaining actively informed of scientific developments in her field.

Athanasiadou Anastasia is an Endocrinologist, maintaining a private practice in the Artemidos area and working at the Lifecheck Polyclinic in Kolonaki. She is a PhD candidate at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She specialized in Endocrinology at the Endocrinology Unit of the Therapeutic Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at the General Hospital "Alexandra." Furthermore, she has participated in Greek and international conferences, aiming for continuous education in her field of expertise, and in her private practice, she provides a variety of services tailored to the individual needs of each patient.