On Friday 26th of July I will give a lecture on the following topic:
“Dance Movement Psychotherapy and the use of a Greek traditional form of dance in a group of Greek psychotic patients”
More information about it at 35th World Congress on Dance Research Athens, Greece
ABSTRACT
Dimitrios Zachos
Dance Movement Psychotherapist, Group & Family Psychoanalyst
Dance Movement Psychotherapy and the use of a Greek traditional form of dance in a group of Greek psychotic patients.
Dance Movement Psychotherapy is the psychotherapeutic use of movement and dance through which a person can engage creatively in a process to further their emotional, cognitive, physical and social integration. It is founded on the principle that movement reflects an individual’s patterns of thinking and feeling. Through acknowledging and supporting clients’ movements the therapist encourages development and integration of new adaptive movement patterns together with the emotional experiences that accompany such changes. Dance Movement Therapy is practiced as both individual and group therapy in health, education and social service settings and in private practice.
Dance Movement Therapists work with a wide variety of clients including people who are emotionally disturbed, those with physical or mental illness and people who want to use the medium for personal growth.
When working with psychotic patients a well-structured session and a clear and directive leadership style is beneficial. Furthermore, the use of the Greek traditional dance “Syrtos” structurally can be an effective therapeutic tool when working with Greek psychotic patients.
