Health professionals for Obesity in Attica

Loukogiannaki Souzana - Human Kinetics is a Physiotherapist specializing in acupuncture and operates a private physiotherapy and biomedical acupuncture center in Pefki. She holds a physiotherapy degree from the Technological Educational Institute of Athens and completed a research postgraduate program in Exercise and Quality of Life at the Department of Physical Education and Sport Science of Democritus University of Thrace. Furthermore, she was trained in Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy using the McKenzie method at the Hellenic McKenzie Institute and has obtained certification in the Scenar - Cosmodic method from LET Medical Research Lab in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, she specialized in Biomedical Acupuncture at the Laboratory of Musculoskeletal and Respiratory Physiotherapy of the University of West Attica. She further completed advanced training in Traditional Chinese Acupuncture at the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China. In addition, she has received certification in Therapeutic Exercise Health Qigong Ba Duan Jin and Taiji Eight Routines & Five Steps through a training program held at the Tai Ji Health Center of the Laboratory of Musculoskeletal and Respiratory Physiotherapy of the University of West Attica, in collaboration with the Shanghai Qiging Research Institute at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, as well as in the Humantecar - Synergistic Healthcare Methodology. Previously, she worked as a Physiotherapist at the Creative Adult Employment Laboratory in Korydallos and as a lecturer in pedagogy and coaching at the Omega Vocational Training Institute. At the center, she manages cases encompassing the entire spectrum of acupuncture; it is noteworthy that she specializes in medical acupuncture, sports injuries, and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.

Kleio Xantziara is an Endocrinologist with a private practice in Goudi. She holds a PhD from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is a graduate of the same institution. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Biology with a full scholarship from Harvard University. She is affiliated with the "Hygeia" and "Mitera" Hospitals. She specialized in Endocrinology at St. Luke’s and Roosevelt Hospitals in New York, as well as in the Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism department of the General Hospital of Athens "Evangelismos". Additionally, she has participated as a researcher in primary research on brain tumors, specifically apoptosis and clonality analysis, in the Neurosurgery Laboratory at Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. Finally, she has numerous scientific publications and is a member of various associations and scientific societies in Greece and abroad.

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.

Vatalas Ioannis - Anastasios is an Endocrinologist with a private practice in Ampelokipoi, while also serving as an endocrinologist at the National Bank Personnel Health Fund. He holds a PhD in Medicine with distinction from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and holds a medical degree from the same institution. He obtained his specialization in Endocrinology at the "Korgialeneio-Benakeio" Hospital of Athens. He has a significant research portfolio, with original publications in international scientific journals and active participation in numerous endocrinology conferences both in Greece and abroad. Additionally, Dr. Vatalas is a member of the European Society of Endocrinology, the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists, the Hellenic Endocrine Society - Panhellenic Association of Endocrinologists, the Hellenic Diabetes Association, the Hellenic Medical Society for Obesity, and the Hellenic Society for the Study of Bone Metabolism.

Papalazarou Karolos - Epicurean Diet is a Dietitian - Nutritionist who maintains a private practice in Kolonaki, while concurrently serving as the Head Dietitian of the Cardiometabolic - Diabetology Center at Metropolitan Hospital, as well as the Head of the Dietitian Department at Therapis General Hospital. He holds a degree from the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the School of Food Technology and Nutrition in Thessaloniki and has specializations in diabetes mellitus, clinical dietetics, and eating disorders. The dietitian office in Kolonaki offers personalized nutrition programs in a pleasant and familiar environment. Specifically, specialized nutrition programs are provided for children, adolescents, adults, elderly individuals, pregnant/lactating women, and athletes. Additionally, nutritional monitoring is offered for pathological conditions such as obesity, anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, gastrointestinal diseases, nephropathies, and cholecystopathies.

Kanellou Paraskeui is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and operates a private practice in Peristeri. She graduated from the Department of Dietetics - Nutrition at Harokopio University of Athens and holds a postgraduate degree from the Nursing Department, specializing in Public Health at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. Additionally, she holds a postgraduate degree in "Clinical Ergospirrometry, Exercise, and Rehabilitation" from the Medical School of the same university. She possesses extensive professional experience and has participated in numerous conferences and seminars. Finally, Ms. Kanellou is a member of the Panhellenic Association of Dietitians - Nutritionists and the Union of Dietitians - Nutritionists of Greece.

Anastasiou Savvina is a Psychologist and Scientific Director at the Psychotherapeutic Center - Multipurpose Space Animus Corpus, located in Ilisia. She holds a degree in Psychology from the Department of Psychology at Panteion University and received further training in Clinical Psychopathology at the Athens University Hospital "Aiginiteio." Additionally, she has attended educational seminars on Psychotraumatology, a Counseling Psychology workshop, as well as training in the MMPI-II Personality Test. The psychotherapeutic interventions she applies include Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy and EMDR. Finally, she is a member of the Hellenic Psychological Society and the Hellenic Olympians Association, due to her distinction in Synchronized Swimming.

Evgenia Grypari is a Psychologist with extensive experience in the field of mental health, currently collaborating with the center “Charin Noiseos” in Moschato. She graduated from the Department of Psychology of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, School of Philosophy, while simultaneously attending the Hellenic Military Academy of Corps Officers (2009–2013). She later completed her Master’s Degree in “Mental Health and Child & Adolescent Psychiatry” at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (2020–2022).

Since 2013, she has been serving as a psychologist in the Hellenic Navy, having worked in several mental health units such as the Psychiatric Clinic of the Naval Hospital of Athens, the Joint Center for Mental Health of the Armed Forces (414 SNEN), and the Naval Hospital of Salamina. She has also staffed the 24-hour National Helpline for Psychological Support and Crisis Intervention, and has served aboard a warship as a military psychologist, gaining valuable insight into the psychological challenges faced by personnel in operational environments. Additionally, she has held administrative and coordinating positions related to health and personnel management within the Armed Forces.

Evgenia Grypari participates annually in the selection and evaluation processes for candidates of the military academies and Armed Forces personnel. She has also completed internships at the Self-Help Promotion Program of Thessaloniki (supporting individuals in substance recovery) and at the Psychiatric Department of the “Agia Sofia” Children’s Hospital.

Her clinical experience covers a wide range of cases, including:

• Depression and anxiety disorders
• Personality disorders and psychoses
• Relationship and marital difficulties
• Parental counseling and divorce management
• Perinatal and postpartum depression
• Eating disorders
• Adolescent issues and identity development
• Sexual disorders and sexual identity concerns

She has further training and specialization in:

• Child psychology
• Relationship and divorce management
• Art Therapy (Vera Vasarhelyi method) for children and adolescents (6–18 years)
• Children’s drawing interpretation
• Music therapy
• Eating disorders
• High-functioning autism

Her therapeutic approach is person-centered and integrative, aiming to provide a safe and supportive environment that fosters self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal growth.

Giazitzi Katerina is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains a private practice in Aigaleo. She holds a Bachelor's degree (BSc) and a Doctorate (PhD) from the Department of Dietetics and Nutrition Science at Harokopio University, as well as a Master's degree (MSc) in "Nutrition and Public Health." She possesses significant professional experience and currently serves as an external Scientific Collaborator at Harokopio University on various research projects. Additionally, she has research experience reflected in numerous scientific publications and conference presentations. She specializes in nutritional counseling, obesity, and diabetes mellitus. She manages clinical cases such as irritable bowel syndrome, cardiovascular diseases, nephropathies, hepatopathies, among others. Furthermore, she provides care for children, adolescents, breastfeeding women, and pregnant women, and has professional experience in gestational diabetes. Her approach to weight loss management focuses on modifying dietary habits that have led to excess body weight through nutritional education and patient counseling. The dietary plans she designs are individualized and based on the nutritional needs, preferences, and daily routines of each person.

Tsizanou Xaralampos - Fernant is a General Surgeon-Proctologist and maintains his private practice in Ampelokipoi. He is an honor graduate Doctor of the University of Athens and holds a Master of Proctology (USA), while also serving as an Assistant Professor at the University of Notre Dame. For surgeries, he utilizes advanced and innovative techniques such as the use of Laser and ultrasound, allowing the patient to return immediately to their daily routine after surgery. He manages: Proctological conditions (hemorrhoids, anal fissure, perianal abscess, perianal fistula, pilonidal cyst, condylomas, anorectal malignancy), laparoscopic hernia repair, laparoscopic gallbladder diseases (cholelithiasis, cholecystitis), skin conditions (lipoma, sebaceous cyst, nevi, hidradenitis), and diseases of the colon (diverticula, polyps, cancer). Finally, it is noteworthy that the doctor engages in research and regularly publishes in international journals (in English and French) and collaborates with numerous hospitals and clinics abroad. To this day, he is the personal advisor to the President of the People's Republic of Congo and cooperates with the Congo mission (Patriarchate of Alexandria).

Kyriakos K. Trigkidis, MD, MSc is an Internal Medicine and Intensive Care Medicine specialist practising at his private Office in the city of Chalkida, Evia and in the city of Agios Stefanos, Attica (within the premises of "Medica' Medical Centre).

He graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed, in the same Faculty, the post-graduate programme on the field of Resuscitation receiving a Master in Science (MSc) Degree. He is currently preparing his Doctoral Thesis on the subject of ultrasound assessment of hemodynamic status of Intensive Care Unit patients. He has contributed to the scientific literature by publishing articles in peer-reviewed, high-profile journals and by presenting his work in international conferences (ISICEM, ESICM).

Dr. Trigkidis completed his specialty training in Internal Medicine and further specialised in Intensive Care Medicine in "Evangelismos" General Hospital of Athens, one of the most prestigious hospitals of the greek Capital. He is registered with the UK General Medical Council as a specialist in General Internal Medicine, having worked as a Senior Clinical Fellow in the Intensive Care Unit of the Royal London Hospital and in the Accident and Emergency Department of Queen's Hospital in London, UK.

Currently, apart from private practice, he is employed as an Intensive Care Medicine specialist in the Intensive Care Unit of Athens Medical Centre.

Η Σηφάκη Μελιτίνη - Μελίνα είναι Ψυχολόγος - Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια, απόφοιτη Ψυχολογίας του Εθνικού και Καποδιστριακού Πανεπιστημίου Αθηνών, από όπου αποφοίτησε με άριστα, ενώ παράλληλα εκπαιδεύεται στη Γνωσιακή Συμπεριφορική Ψυχοθεραπεία (CBT) στο Κέντρο Εφαρμοσμένης Ψυχοθεραπείας και Συμβουλευτικής. Διαθέτει επαγγελματική εμπειρία σε Κέντρα Ψυχοθεραπείας ενηλίκων, όπου σήμερα εστιάζει κυρίως το θεραπευτικό της έργο, παρέχοντας ψυχοθεραπευτική υποστήριξη ενηλίκων, πραγματοποιώντας συνεδρίες ατομικής ψυχοθεραπείας, καθώς και ομαδικές συνεδρίες και θεραπεία ζεύγους. 

Παράλληλα, έχει προηγούμενη εμπειρία σε κλινικά και μη κλινικά πλαίσια ψυχικής υγείας, μέσα από τη συμμετοχή της σε αξιολογητικές και θεραπευτικές παρεμβάσεις.

 Επιπλέον, προσφέρει εθελοντική εργασία στο Υπνωτήριο Αστέγων των Γιατρών του Κόσμου, υποστηρίζοντας ευάλωτες ομάδες του πληθυσμού μέσω ανθρωπιστικού έργου.

Έχει παρακολουθήσει πληθώρα εξειδικευμένων σεμιναρίων και επιστημονικών συνεδρίων, μεταξύ των οποίων:

• Θεραπεία Γνωστικού Ερεθισμού (CST) – Impact Hub Athens (2024)

• 1ο Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο Έγκαιρης Παρέμβασης στην Ψύχωση (2024)

• 5ο Πανελλήνιο Συνέδριο Γνωσιακών Συμπεριφοριστικών Προσεγγίσεων σε Παιδιά και Εφήβους με θέμα «Σύγχρονες προκλήσεις σε έναν συνεχώς μεταβαλλόμενο κόσμο» – Πάντειο Πανεπιστήμιο (2023)

Σήμερα διατηρεί ιδιωτικό γραφείο στο Χαλάνδρι, όπου παρέχει συνεδρίες ψυχοθεραπείας σε ενήλικες, δια ζώσης και διαδικτυακά, κατόπιν ραντεβού. Προσφέρει επίσης συνεδρίες στην αγγλική και γερμανική γλώσσα.

Dr. Dermitzakis Stylianos is a Pathologist, founder and owner of the Premedicare Medical Center. He graduated from the Medical School of the University of Rome "La Sapienza" and holds a postgraduate degree in "Health Unit Management" from the School of Social Sciences of the Hellenic Open University of Patras. Within his specialty training, he served at the 1st IKA Hospital "Papadimitriou," the Regional General Hospital of Attica "Sismanoglio," as well as at the Military Fund Nursing Institution NIMTS. Additionally, he served as Head of Pathology at the Athens Bioclinic and concurrently was Director of Medical Services at Cross Border, providing medical coverage to medical tourism patients.

Prentza Vasiliki is an Internist - Diabetologist and maintains private practices in Haidari and Aspropyrgos. She holds a PhD from the Medical School and a Master's Degree in “Diabetes Mellitus and Obesity,” as well as a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. The physician completed her specialty in Internal Medicine at the 2nd Internal Medicine Department of the Prefectural General 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 Internal Medicine Clinic of the Hippokration Hospital of Athens. During her career, she has worked as a Specialist Physician for the Health Committees of KE.P.A and in the Emergency Department of the "Hygeia" Hospital. In her practice, she provides comprehensive information and education to patients on issues concerning diabetes complications, diabetic nutrition, insulin therapy, as well as the prevention and management of hypoglycemia. She manages 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 in Internal Medicine - Diabetology conferences in Greece and abroad. She also contributes articles to newspapers and health-related magazines.

Dr Anamaterou Xrysanthi is an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist, PhD graduate from the University of Heidelberg in Germany, and maintains a private practice in Marousi. She holds a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and completed her specialization in Endocrinology and Diabetology at the University Hospital of Heidelberg in Germany. She has worked as an Endocrinologist - Diabetologist in a private polyclinic in Frankfurt, Germany, and has served as an endocrinology registrar at the University Hospital of Heidelberg. She specializes in thyroid gland disorders and has particular expertise in the management of thyroid cancer and other endocrine tumors (adrenal glands, pituitary gland, neuroendocrine tumors, endocrine syndromes). Additionally, she has experience in the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus, obesity, and metabolic disorders. Due to her doctoral dissertation, she specializes in parathyroid gland diseases (calcium and vitamin D metabolism) and osteoporosis.

Athanasiadou Anastasia is a Diabetologist, maintaining a private practice in the Artemida area and working for 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 at continuous education in her field of expertise, and in her private practice, she provides a wide range of services, tailored to the needs of each patient.

Dr. Zaxaki Aglaia is an Endocrinologist and Diabetologist maintaining a private practice in Peristeri. She graduated from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is a PhD candidate at the same institution's Medical School. Dr. Zaxaki specialized in Endocrinology, Metabolic Diseases, and Diabetes Mellitus at the Endocrinology Department of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas." Additionally, she has served as a collaborator and instructor in Higher Education (TEI) Athens and at various public IEK institutions, where she taught courses related to medical science. Furthermore, she attended the Clinic for Endocrine Disorders and Diabetes Mellitus in Pregnancy at the Endocrinology Department of the University General Hospital - Maternity "Elena Venizelou." She also participated in the Menopause Clinic at the 2nd Obstetrics and Gynecology Clinic of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens at "Aretaieio" Hospital. Moreover, Dr. Zaxaki holds a license from the Ministry of Health to perform thyroid ultrasound and ultrasound examinations of the organs within her specialty. Finally, she has numerous original research publications in internationally recognized medical journals, oral and written presentations at Greek and international conferences, as well as extensive research experience.