U.S.-trained Dietitian & Psychologist with 20+ years’ experience guiding clients toward body, mind & soul wellness through the transformative WWYP Approach.
Despina is a Clinical dietitian and Psychologist by profession. She is a Health Educator, and Communication Consultant for Health Professionals(HPs).
a U.S. graduate, and a 20+ year experience that covers the US, Europe, and the Middle East. She speaks several languages and has worked with people from different cultures, religions, and beliefs.
Parallel to her clinical work, she completed a 3-year program in health coaching and 2 more years in experiential Gestalt Therapy. As an award-winning international speaker, she has delivered numerous talks worldwide on her topics of expertise, emphasizing the inseparable connection between body, mind, and soul in human health.
Her true passion and focus lie in Patient Approach. The art and methodology of connecting with patients, especially during the first encounter.
Drawing on years of practice and collaborations with pioneers in the field, she developed her own system in 2009: the “WWYP Approach”,(Work With Yourself Work With Your Patient), with successful results.
This innovative model has been applied with great success both in her online practice with clients and in training programs for health professionals, helping them strengthen patient relationships and recognize the profound impact of their initial assessment on diagnosis and treatment.
It is my belief that therapists need to turn the mirror on themselves first, before they start to counsel others. The WWYP Approach reflects exactly that, and it is the approach I use during counseling. Keeping in mind that body, mind, and soul are inseparable, it is necessary to place them in balance in order to achieve well being.
The most important session for me is the first session. My goal is to make the person present, comfortable enough to speak, and start building trust.
I have gone through many schools of approaches and my experience covers more that 20 years, but my favorite approach leans to Gestalt therapy which I find more direct and more productive.
Having worked in different parts of the world, I understand the importance of language and culture for humans. I try to make use of everything I learned and experience during these years in order to bring the best out of every session.
being a good listener is part of my job, but giving profound guidance is crucial as well.
I make sure the person leaves complete and the end of the session knowing that it was worth their time.
Past positions and experience:
Despina has a dual degree from Arizona State University:
Late 90’s – Clinical training: Internship - Programmed by the American Academy of Nutrition, took place in the main hospitals in Tucson Arizona.
1999 - 2009 Further advanced her clinical experience through work in diverse settings like with the diabetic Pima Indians, private health centers, hospitals, outpatient clinics, etc... and reached the level of Director of Dpt. at the Athens Medical Group in Athens, Greece.
Despina has also participated in research, publications, and knowledge transfer through the media. Her name is found in respected journals and websites.
2008 Expands her academic education and further certifies and completes her knowledge and experience as Coach and Health Educator after a three-year training program by a known New York coaching school.
2011 - 2013 Completes a training program from the Gestalt institutes of San Francisco and Paris, with top names in the field as her trainers; the purpose was to master Gestalt psychotherapy through experiential interactive methodologies.
Active in several bodies worldwide:
Other: Award winning speaker.