Health professionals for Obesity

Mr. Eksarxakos Mixail is an Internist and maintains a private practice in Kifisia, Attica. He is a graduate of the Medical School of the University of Athens and has specialized in Internal Medicine. His clinical and research interests include arterial hypertension, dyslipidemias, oncological diseases, diabetes mellitus, and infections. He has accumulated over 30 years of professional experience, having worked in major hospitals across the country. From 2016 to 2021, he served as the Director of the Pathology Clinic at Euroclinic Athens, and since 2003, he has been a Scientific Collaborator at Hygeia Hospital and the head of a medical team. He has participated in many international conferences and has published numerous research papers. Finally, he is the Vice President of the Primary Care Society, a member of the Board of Directors of the Prostate Focal Therapy Society, and a member of the Hellenic Society of Internal Medicine.

Natalia Moustikidou is a licensed psychologist,a graduate of the Department of Psychology at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders through the Center for Education and Treatment of Eating Disorders (K.E.A.D.D.) and holds a Master Practitioner certification in Eating Disorders and Obesity from the National Centre for Eating Disorders in the United Kingdom.She works as a psychologist in a social service setting, providing psychosocial support and counseling to individuals and vulnerable groups. As part of her internship, she has worked with “The Smile of the Child” organization, as well as in a Center for Special Therapies for children and adolescents in Chania.Currently, she is completing her postgraduate studies in Applied Developmental Psychology at the Hellenic Open University, while also training in psychodynamic psychotherapy at the Institute of Psychology and Health (I.P.Y.).

She is also a graduate of the Department of Political Sciences at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.The sessions she provides are conducted exclusively online, with the option to be held in English as well.

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

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.

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.

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.

Papaeuaggelou Maria is a Psychologist – Systemic Family Psychotherapist and maintains a private practice in Omonia. She holds a BSc in Psychology from London Metropolitan University and an MSc in Psychology from the University of Central Lancashire. She has obtained a Professional Diploma in Systemic and Family Therapy from the Laboratory for the Investigation of Human Relations, as well as a Professional Diploma in Mental Health Counseling (Person-Centered Approach) from the College for Humanistic Sciences – ICPS, certified by Pearson UK. Additionally, she has specialized in Emotional Trauma Management and Personality Disorders at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. She has completed clinical internships at the Outpatient Detoxification Clinic "Athena" of Aiginiteio Hospital and at OKANA (Organization Against Drugs), gaining experience in the assessment and therapeutic support of individuals with addictive behaviors and their families. Her therapeutic approach is based on Systemic and Person-Centered Psychotherapy, emphasizing the creation of a safe framework of trust and acceptance that facilitates personal awareness, empowerment, and meaningful change. Finally, her office provides personalized psychotherapy and counseling services tailored to the needs of each individual, couple, or family, aiming at empowerment, improvement of quality of life, and meaningful personal development.

Skoufa Lida is a Psychologist with a private practice in Thessaloniki. She holds a PhD from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and completed postgraduate studies in Pain Management at the University of Ioannina. Additionally, she specialized in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Hellenic Society of Cognitive Behavioral Psychotherapy. She has significant experience and is currently a Research Associate at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki as well as a Trainer in Cognitive-Behavioral Psychotherapy at the Medical Psychotherapeutic Center.

Stathaki Aleksia Kai Synergates is a Psychologist - Child Psychologist maintaining private practice offices in Thessaloniki. She completed her studies at the Department of Psychology of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. She has collaborated with the Center for Abused Women/E.K.A.PSY, the Support Association for Psoriatic Patients "KALYPSO," and the Psychiatric Clinic of the University General Hospital of Thessaloniki AHEPA, both clinically and in research. Always up to date with scientific developments through conferences, workshops, and seminars, she directs and writes for the website PSYCHOLOGUEIA, and has published her first book entitled: Child and Nutrition. Furthermore, she specializes in depression, parental counseling, and anxiety and mood disorders.

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.

Dr. Eleni Tsaroucha is a specialist in internal medicine and diabetes and has a private practice in Volos. She was admitted to the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens through the Panhellenic Examinations, from which she graduated after the required six years of study with a grade of 8.1. She received her specialization in Internal Medicine and her subspecialization in Diabetology at some of the largest hospitals in Germany, under the supervision and guidance of internationally renowned professors. She is a graduate of the internationally renowned Herz und Diabeteszentrum NRW at the University of Bochum, which in 2018 won the award for the best hospital in Germany for patients with diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. In this context, she specializes in diabetes mellitus, its possible complications, and their treatment and prevention. At the academic level, Dr. Eleni Tsaroucha holds a PhD from the Medical School of Freiburg, Germany, with a summa cum laude degree in diabetes mellitus. She holds a master's degree in health economics from FAU Erlangen-Nuremberg University, with a focus on diabetes mellitus. She has contributed to studies published in prestigious international scientific journals and has given numerous speeches at conferences and presentations. At her clinic, patients receive comprehensive and systematic care, including a complete medical history, physical examination, diagnostic tests, and a comprehensive assessment of their symptoms, which is the cornerstone of proper diagnosis and effective treatment. Finally, emphasis is placed on the prevention of various diseases, nutritional guidance, and, more generally, the improvement and maintenance of good health, well-being, and, consequently, quality of life.

Iliana Papadopoulou is a clinical dietitian-nutritionist with ten years of experience in clinical cases, which she acquired in major hospitals in the United Kingdom. Over the past four years, she has worked exclusively in one of the largest nephrology departments at Manchester Royal Infirmary in the United Kingdom, where she managed a broad range of patients with kidney diseases, supervised, and was the responsible dietitian in dialysis centers. She is recognized as a certified dietitian meeting the requirements set by the Health and Care Professions Council of the United Kingdom and is a member of both the British and Greek Dietetic Associations. Iliana maintains a private practice in Vrilissia. Her primary focus is the nutritional assessment of patients and the provision of nutritional education and guidance by offering personalized dietary programs based on their needs using evidence-based practice. She specializes in kidney diseases and also provides services for other clinical conditions such as gastroenterological and hepatic disorders, cancer, cardiovascular diseases, eating disorders, food intolerances, nutrition across life stages, and particularly in the elderly. Her office also offers body composition analysis and bioelectrical impedance measurement using the globally recognized and accurate Tanita analyzer. Additionally, she provides the capability for immediate communication with patients through a dedicated mobile application.

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.

Maria Mpergele is a Dietitian - Nutritionist and maintains her private offices in Nea Ionia and in the center of Athens. She holds a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Thessaly and, as part of her continuous professional development, she has attended and continues to attend numerous postgraduate scientific seminars and conferences related to her specialty. She has extensive experience in managing clinical cases (such as Diabetes Mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, thyroid disorders, gut health) and also treats adolescent cases. In the past, she served as a Dietitian - Nutritionist at a Nutrition and Aesthetics Center and completed her internship in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department at the Korgialeneio-Benakio General Hospital (Red Cross). Currently, in addition to her private practice, she collaborates with a Nursery School providing nutritional services as well as with a Wellness and Care Center.

Renta Elisavet is a Dietitian-Nutritionist, graduate of Harokopio University of Athens. She holds a Master's degree in Applied Dietetics - Nutrition from Harokopio University, as well as a Certificate of Pedagogical and Teaching Competence. She conducts home visits and works as a Dietitian at the 2nd Municipal Clinic of the Municipality of Athens. She has served as an Instructor in the course "Practical (Healthy) Nutrition Advice" at the Lifelong Learning Center of the Municipalities of Zografou and Ilioupoli and has collaborated with gyms and the Department of Nutritional Education and Exercise of the Municipality of Palaio Faliro. Finally, she has attended numerous conferences and workshops aimed at continuous professional development in her field.

Papadopoulos Dimitrios is an Anesthesiologist - Acupuncturist and maintains a Private Pain Clinic in Acharnes. He graduated from the Medical School of Varna and specialized in Anesthesiology at the "Konstantopouleio" General Hospital (Agia Olga). He trained at the Pain & Palliative Care Clinic at the General Oncology Hospital “Agioi Anargyroi” and holds a Certificate of Attendance from Continuing Education Seminars in Algology (SEΑ). He holds an Acupuncture Diploma from the International Postgraduate Acupuncture Center AcuScience (2009 - 2011). He has served as an Anesthesiologist at the UHB Trust in the United Kingdom and as an Assistant Consultant Anesthesiologist B’ at the General Hospital of Samos. As part of his continuous professional development, he participates in numerous conferences and seminars in Regional Anaesthesia and Pain Management in Greece and abroad, as well as in Auricular Acupuncture - Auricular Neuromodulation with Prof. Bazzoni.