Health professionals for Smoking cessation in Attica

Η Χατζηχρήστου Άννα είναι Πιστοποιημένη Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας με ειδίκευση στην Προσωποκεντρική και Focusing Βιωματική Ψυχοθεραπεία και την Σύγχρονη Κλινική Ύπνωση. Ως πολύτιμα εφόδια διαθέτει τις συστηματικές σπουδές της σε Πανεπιστήμια της Αγγλίας και των Η.Π.Α., την εμπειρία που αποκόμισε από την μακροχρόνια εργασία της στο πεδίο, μα πάνω απ’ όλα τη συνέπεια και την αδιαπραγμάτευτη αγάπη της για το αντικείμενο. Γεννημένη το 1962 στην Αθήνα, απέκτησε Bachelor Degree στην Ψυχολογία ολοκληρώνοντας με επιτυχία τις σπουδές της στο Southeastern College της Πολιτείας Delaware των ΗΠΑ, ενώ μερικά χρόνια αργότερα της απονεμήθηκε από το University of East Anglia του Norwich Μεταπτυχιακός Τίτλος Σπουδών (Master) στην Προσωποκεντρική και Focusing Βιωματική Ψυχοθεραπεία. Θέλοντας να εμβαθύνει ακόμη περισσότερο, απέκτησε Πτυχίο Πιστοποιημένου Επαγγελματία στην Focusing Βιωματική Ψυχοθεραπεία από το Focusing Institute της Νέας Υόρκης, ενώ πρόσφατα εξειδικεύτηκε επίσης στην Σύγχρονη Βιοθυμική Κλινική Ύπνωση, λαμβάνοντας Πιστοποίηση Υπνοθεραπεύτριας από τον επίσημο επαγγελματικό φορέα Κλινικής Ύπνωσης στη Βρετανία (General Hypnotherapy Standards Council). Είτε ως μαθητευόμενη, είτε αργότερα ως εκπαιδεύτρια και επόπτρια, συνέχισε να έχει σταθερή παρουσία στο χώρο της κατάρτισης Επαγγελματιών Ψυχικής Υγείας. Ταυτόχρονα, συμμετείχε σε δεκάδες Συνέδρια, Διεθνή Συμπόσια και Ημερίδες σε Ελλάδα και εξωτερικό. Ωστόσο, γνωρίζοντας πως κανένας τίτλος δεν μπορεί να υποκαταστήσει την γνήσια εμπειρία φρόντισε από νωρίς να υπηρετήσει την επιστήμη της στην πράξη, εργαζόμενη σε εθελοντική βάση επί 15 χρόνια (2005-2020) στο Ιατρείο Περιοχικής Αναισθησίας, Θεραπείας Πόνου και Παρηγορικής Αγωγής του Αρεταίειου Πανεπιστημιακού Νοσοκομείου Αθηνών, στον τομέα Συμβουλευτικής και Ψυχοθεραπείας. Παράλληλα, από το 1990 έως σήμερα διενεργεί ατομικές και ομαδικές συνεδρίες και βιωματικά εργαστήρια σε συνεργασία με Κέντρα Ψυχικής Υγείας, έχοντας ακόμα συμμετάσχει εθελοντικά σε Εκστρατείες Προληπτικής Ιατρικής για Παιδιά και Ενηλίκους υπό το Γενικό Νοσοκομείο Παίδων "Π. & Α.Κυριακού". Είναι ιδρυτικό μέλος της Ελληνικής Προσωποκεντρικής - Βιωματικής Εταιρείας (ΕΠΒΕ), μέλος της Εθνικής Εταιρείας Ψυχοθεραπείας Ελλάδος (ΕΕΨΕ), της Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρείαs Ψυχοθεραπείας (EAP), της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Συμβουλευτικής (ΕΕΣ), της Ευρωπαϊκής Εταιρείας Συμβουλευτικής (EAC), της Παγκόσμιας Εταιρείας Προσωποκεντρικής και Βιωματικής Συμβουλευτικής και Ψυχοθεραπείας (WAPCEPC) και Πιστοποιημένη Επόπτρια Προσωποκεντρικής και Focusing Ψυχοθεραπείας από το Υπουργείο Παιδείας (ΕΟΠΕΠ).

Η Πήλιου Χρύσα (Harmonylife) είναι Σύμβουλος Ψυχικής Υγείας, Κλινική Υπνοθεραπεύτρια, Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεύτρια και συγγραφέας του βιβλίου αυτοβελτίωσης "Βάλε χρώμα στις πληγές σου" με εξειδίκευση στη Συνθετική Ψυχοθεραπεία και Συμβουλευτική, καθώς και στην Κλινική Ύπνωση, το Breathwork και το Mindfulness. Είναι τακτικό μέλος της Ελληνικής Εταιρείας Συμβουλευτικής (Ε.Ε.Σ) και διαθέτει 15ετή εμπειρία στον τομέα του HR, σε ρόλους διαχείρισης ανθρώπινου δυναμικού στον τραπεζικό κλάδο. Παράλληλα, συγγράφει βιβλία που αξιοποιούνται θεραπευτικά σε ομάδες αυτογνωσίας και προσωπικής ανάπτυξης. Η ειδικός είναι κάτοχος Higher National Diploma – HND στη Ψυχολογία από το University of Wales. Έχει εκπαιδευτεί στη Συνθετική Συμβουλευτική και Ψυχοθεραπεία (Γνωσιακή – Συμπεριφορική, Ψυχοδυναμική και Συστημική προσέγγιση) και στην Κλινική Ύπνωση στο Πειραϊκό Ινστιτούτο Συνθετικής Συμβουλευτικής και Ψυχοθεραπείας (αναγνωρισμένο από το BACP). Είναι πιστοποιημένη στο Breathwork Level 1 (GPBA Certification Training, 262 ώρες) και στο Mindfulness & Meditation Therapy & Coach (International Association of Coaches, Therapists & Mentors). Έχει επίσης εκπαιδευτεί σε ομάδες προσωπικής ανάπτυξης και εναλλακτικές θεραπείες. Η ειδικός είναι ιδιοκτήτρια του Harmonylife.gr, ενός φιλόξενου και σύγχρονου κέντρου αυτογνωσίας και ψυχικής υγείας στον Άλιμο. Εκεί, μαζί με μια ομάδα έμπειρων συνεργατών και ειδικών ψυχικής υγείας, όπως ο Ψυχολόγος Ζαχαριάς Λουκάς-Ίαν, δημιουργεί εξατομικευμένα πλάνα θεραπείας που καλύπτουν σφαιρικά τις ανάγκες κάθε ατόμου. Στο Harmonylife πραγματοποιούνται συνεδρίες για ενήλικες, εφήβους, ζευγάρια, καθώς και συμβουλευτική γονέων. Παράλληλα, προσφέρονται ομάδες προσωπικής ανάπτυξης, βιωματικά σεμινάρια αυτογνωσίας-αυτοβελτίωσης, κλινική ύπνωση και υπνοθεραπεία. Για όσους προτιμούν εναλλακτικούς τρόπους θεραπείας, το Harmonylife φιλοξενεί ομάδες χαλάρωσης και ψυχικής ενδυνάμωσης, με πρακτικές όπως διαλογισμό, sound healing, breathwork και άλλες ολιστικές προσεγγίσεις. Εφαρμόζονται επίσης διαλογισμοί Mindfulness Meditation και τεχνικές Positive Psychology Coaching σε ατομικές και ομαδικές συνεδρίες, καθώς και σεμινάρια και προγράμματα για διάφορους οργανισμούς. Η θεραπευτική προσέγγιση της βασίζεται σε ένα ολιστικό μοντέλο, που συνδυάζει τη συνθετική ψυχοθεραπεία με σύγχρονες εναλλακτικές μεθόδους. Στόχος της είναι να προσφέρει εξατομικευμένες λύσεις για κάθε άνθρωπο, αντιμετωπίζοντας πολλαπλά ζητήματα σε όλα τα επίπεδα: νου, συναίσθημα, σώμα και πνεύμα. Πιστεύει βαθιά ότι η συνεργασία και η ομαδική εργασία μπορούν να οδηγήσουν σε πιο μακροπρόθεσμα και ουσιαστικά αποτελέσματα, με την ποικιλία ειδικοτήτων να ενισχύει την ολιστική προσέγγιση και να προσφέρει στον κάθε άνθρωπο μια ολοκληρωτική εμπειρία εξέλιξης και αυτογνωσίας. Η ίδια θεωρεί τη δια βίου μάθηση υποχρέωση αλλά και χαρά, φροντίζοντας να ενημερώνεται διαρκώς για τις εξελίξεις της επιστήμης της, συμμετέχοντας σε εκπαιδεύσεις, συνέδρια και σεμινάρια. Τέλος, το Harmonylife συνεργάζεται με εταιρείες για την ψυχική ενδυνάμωση των εργαζομένων (HR), αναπτύσσοντας προγράμματα που ενισχύουν την ευεξία και την παραγωγικότητα, συμβάλλοντας έτσι σε ένα πιο ισορροπημένο και υγιές εργασιακό περιβάλλον.

Aliki Korkontzelou, MD, MSc, is a Pulmonologist-Tuberculosis Specialist who maintains a private practice in Athens (Ampelokipoi) and concurrently serves as a consultant at the 1st Pulmonology Clinic of IASO. She holds a medical degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA) and a master's degree in Biomedical Studies from Lancaster University, UK. She specialized in Pulmonology - Tuberculosis at the General Hospital for Thoracic Diseases "Sotiria" and at the General Hospital "Evangelismos." She is a doctoral candidate at NKUA focusing on smoking cessation and an Early Career Member of the "Smoking Cessation, Health Promotion, and Climate Change" working group of the Hellenic Thoracic Society. She has original research publications in international journals on topics related to asthma, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), and smoking cessation, and has participated in national and international conferences with lectures and presentations. In her private practice, she offers services covering a wide range of pulmonary cases (asthma, COPD, respiratory infections, and others).

Euiasis Specialized ENT Center is located in Marousi and serves a wide range of populations of all ages. The center's goal is the longevity of the individual, as well as ensuring a high quality of life. A multitude of specialized services are offered, providing solutions for conditions such as Sinusitis, Vertigo and dizziness, Rhinitis and Allergic rhinitis, voice disorders, Stomatitis, and Pharyngitis. Additionally, all Otological - Neuro-otological problems are addressed, such as hearing loss, tinnitus, and hyperacusis. The Medical Director of the Euiasis Medical Center is Dr. Christina Efthymiou MD, MSc, Med. Ac, Otolaryngologist Surgeon, Neuro-otologist, Head and Neck Surgeon, and specialist in Medical Acupuncture.

Angeliki Xatzimanoli, MSc is a Psychologist, certified Psychotherapist, and maintains a private practice in Ilisia. She holds a degree from the Department of Psychology at the University of Central Lancashire and graduated from the Department of Social Policy at Panteion University. Additionally, she has a master's degree in "Addiction Treatment - Addictology" from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, in collaboration with the Medical School of Athens. Currently, she is training in "Systemic Psychotherapy and Counseling" at the Center for Systemic Study and Therapy of Athens (Ke.S.Me.Th.). Throughout her career, she has volunteered with the Non-Governmental Organizations "ActionAid Hellas" and the International Cybersecurity Institute (CSI). She served as a Psychologist for the NGO "The Home Project" and collaborates as an external associate with the Center for Special Therapies "Oikogeneia." She also writes voluntarily for the website ''efiveia.gr,'' focusing on family and its connection and collaboration with the online therapy platform Terappin. She has been trained in the application of the Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy protocol (TF-CBT). She provides psychological support to children, adolescents, and adults. It is noteworthy that she participated in authoring the European program "TRACeD," within the framework of actions for the awareness and prevention of online gender-based violence. In her private practice, she undertakes the assessment, monitoring, and psychotherapeutic treatment of various psychological difficulties, such as anxiety disorders, depressive episodes, adjustment disorders, personality disorders, as well as issues related to interpersonal relationships and self-esteem.

Odysseas Pazionis is an Acupuncturist and maintains a private practice in Neo Iraklio. He holds a medical degree from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and specialized in Neurology at the General State Hospital of Athens. He completed a postgraduate program in Medical Acupuncture and in the Rehabilitation of Neurological Disorders and was trained in "Advanced Life Support in Adults and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation" by the European Resuscitation Council. Additionally, he specializes in acute and chronic pain and smoking cessation. He is a collaborator at the Medisalus Diagnostic Center, a consulting neurologist at the "G. Karavis" Center for Acupuncture Application and Research, and has served as a neurologist at Hygeia Hospital as well as an external associate in the Demyelinating Diseases Department and the General Neurology Clinic of the General Hospital of Athens "G. Gennimatas." He is an instructor in Medical Acupuncture at the Department of Physiotherapy at the University of West Attica and at the international postgraduate center Acuscience, educating physicians in the treatment of headaches and sleep disorders. He applies acupuncture particularly in the treatment of migraines/headaches, smoking cessation, and the management of chronic or acute pain. Finally, he is a member of the Hellenic Neurological Society, the Hellenic Society of Medical Acupuncture, the Hellenic Headache Society, and the Panhellenic Association Against Epilepsy.

The Euiasis Medical Acupuncture Center is located in Marousi. The Scientific Director of the Euiasis Medical Center is Dr. Christina Efthymiou MD, MSc, Med. Ac, who is an Otolaryngology Surgeon, Neuro-otologist, Head and Neck Surgeon, with postgraduate studies in neurosurgery, autoimmune inflammatory diseases, topographic and functional neuroanatomy, nervous system syndromes, neocortical brain diseases, investigation of consciousness disorders, ankylosing spondylitis, enteropathic arthritides, and musculoskeletal problems. She has been trained at the Acuscience School of Medical Acupuncture and holds a Diploma in "Acupuncture in Pain Therapy and Obesity" from Professor Zhong Qiangwei of Tianjin University, Beijing. She is a specialist in Medical Acupuncture, Chinese Medicine, Biomedical Acupuncture, Electroacupuncture, Auricular Acupuncture, Auricular Neuromodulation, Abdominal Acupuncture, and Laser LLLT Acupuncture. The goal of the Euiasis Medical Center is the longevity of the individual as well as ensuring a high quality of life. The holistic therapeutic approach for every condition troubling you finds its solution in medical acupuncture. Each person is a unique spiritual, mental, and physical entity and must be treated as such. At Euiasis, according to the decision (574/A4/1191/21-2-1980) (Y7/oik/4270/25-6-96) of the Ministry of Health, a holistic medical acupuncture center operates.

Zaxariadis Konstantinos is a General Practitioner who maintains a private practice in Nea Smyrni. He holds a degree in Medicine and Pharmacy from the University of Craiova and has specialized in general medicine at the General State Hospital of Nikaia. Simultaneously, he continuously attends numerous national and international conferences to ensure his ongoing education. He is a member of the Hellenic Diabetes Association, the Hellenic Society of General Medicine, the American Diabetes Association, and the Hellenic Society of Hypertension and Cardiovascular Protection. The doctor has experience in blood pressure regulation, managing obesity and asthma, as well as smoking cessation support. Through his professional experience in major and recognized hospitals in Greece, he is capable of addressing a wide range of conditions in his private practice.

Dr. Xristopoulos Antonios is a Specialist Pulmonologist, PhD holder from the Medical School of the University of Patras and former Assistant Professor of Pathology at the Higher Technological Educational Institute of Patras. He has worked as a registrar in the ICU and pulmonary laboratory of the ONASSIO Cardiac Surgery Center as well as a Clinical Chest Physician at King’s College Hospital in London. He has also completed postgraduate studies (Master’s degree) in “Thoracic Oncology” at the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He is a Scientific Collaborator at the University Pulmonology Clinic of the University General Hospital of Patras. The physician is certified by Harvard Medical School (accreditation 2014), the United Kingdom’s General Medical Council (RN 7523439), and the Global Health Network {ICH GOOD CLINICAL PRACTICE E6 (R2) 94%}. He has undertaken a series of further training programs at specialized centers abroad with practical training, certified by the European Respiratory Society (ERS), of which he is a Golden Member. Dr. Xristopoulos is the Director of the Bronchial Asthma Department at the Medical Center of Athens in Marousi and is the scientific head of the ASTHMA CLINICS, where he oversees a fully equipped modern laboratory for respiratory function testing, sleep studies, and respiratory allergy assessments. The ASTHMA CLINICS feature specialized allergy and asthma departments and a severe bronchial asthma unit, where patients with difficult-to-treat asthma are evaluated for the initiation of new injectable biological therapies and the monitoring of asthma during pregnancy, as physiological changes during gestation may exacerbate asthma.

Kosmas Epameinondas MD, PhD, FCCP is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist and maintains a private practice in the Ampelokipoi area. He holds a Doctorate from the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and is a Visiting Clinical Professor at the Autonomous University at Coyoacan, Mexico City. Furthermore, he has served as Director of the Pulmonology Clinic "PNOΗ" at Metropolitan Hospital from 2011 to the present, and has previously held the position of Director of the Pulmonology Clinic at the Athens Chest Diseases Hospital "Sotiria." At the Athens Pulmonology Institute, he treats patients with all types of pulmonary conditions, applying his 35 years of expertise and advanced cutting-edge medical technology to deliver a personalized diagnostic and therapeutic approach. Beyond diagnosis and treatment, significant emphasis is placed on the prevention of respiratory diseases through a smoking cessation program. Various pulmonary function tests are performed on-site by specialized personnel.

Anastasakos Vasilis is a Pulmonologist - Phthisiologist and maintains a private practice in Agia Paraskevi. He holds a medical degree from the Medical School of the University of Pavia in Italy and specializes in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He specialized in Pulmonology at the General Thoracic Diseases Hospital of Athens "Sotiria" and the Athens Anti-Cancer - Oncology Hospital "Agios Savvas," and has expertise in EBUS and interventional bronchoscopy. Furthermore, the doctor has served as a scientific collaborator at the 3rd Pulmonology Clinic of the General Thoracic Diseases Hospital of Athens "Sotiria" and regularly attends numerous conferences in Greece and abroad as part of his ongoing professional development.

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.

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.

Gkizopoulou Euaggelia MD, MSc is a Pulmonologist - Tuberculosis Specialist - Sleep Medicine Specialist and maintains a private practice in Alimos, while also serving as the Director of the 1st Pulmonology Clinic at IASO General Clinic in Marousi. She holds a doctoral degree and a medical degree from the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and has specialized in sleep-related breathing disorders, bronchoscopy, and interventional pulmonology. She completed her Pulmonology specialization at the General University Hospital of Athens Sismanoglio. She has served as the Director of the Pulmonology Clinic at Metropolitan Hospital. In her fully equipped private practice, she provides services covering the entire spectrum of pulmonary cases. She has participated in numerous conferences and has authored many original research articles published in scientific journals. Finally, the doctor is a member of the Athens Medical Association, the Hellenic Thoracic Society, and the European Respiratory Society.

Mpageris Ioannis is a Neurologist and Acupuncturist who maintains private practices at Pedion tou Areos and Ilion. He holds a postgraduate specialization in Biomedical Acupuncture and a degree from the Medical School of the University of Patras. He completed his specialty training in psychiatry at the General Hospital of Elefsina “Thriasio” and in neurology at the General Hospital of Attica “KAT”, as well as neurology at the General Hospital of Athens “Evangelismos”. There, he had the opportunity to train in conditions such as cerebrovascular accidents, dementia, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, migraine, vertigo, polyneuropathies, and sleep disorders. Finally, the doctor has participated in numerous medical seminars and conferences and has contributed to the preparation of medical research papers.