Curriculum Vitae

This web site is about inner change, personal growth and development of interpersonal relations.

As a Dance Movement Psychotherapist and a Group & Family Analyst for almost 25 years I have worked in private practice as well as psychiatric institutions and special schools. My therapeutic approach is a psychoanalytic one and combines dance movement therapy theory and practice with psychoanalytic psychotherapy.

Currently, I work mainly in private practice and I see my clients individually as well as in groups. I work with adults and children as well as with families and couples, where I encourage all the family members to be involved in play, movement interaction and symbolic expression. In addition, I run two groups of psychiatric patients (in-patient & out-patient) at FEPSY psychiatric institution in Lamia, Greece.

Since 1999, I have been running annually, a foundation course in Dance Movement Psychotherapy, a movement observation and analysis course (Laban, kestenberg, Davis) as well as a training course on Veronica Sherborne’s developmental movement experiences for children. Many of my former students have completed their masters degree and work as Dance Movement Psychotherapists in Greece as well as in the UK. I also offer supervision to dance movement therapists, arts therapists, psychoanalytic psychotherapists and family therapists who want to integrate some DMT techniques in their practice. Furthermore, I teach at University of Derby – MA in Dance Movement Psychotherapy as a visitor lecturer and at University of Ljubljana, Slovenia – MA in Arts Therapies , I am a member of the faculty of the Inspirees Institute for Creative Arts Therapy of China, the CPD training programme for psychologists in Dance Movement Psychotherapy in Bucharest, Romania and The “Friends play” institute for Asperger syndrome children, Paris.

I am a full member of the Group Analytic Society, UK  and a full member of the Hellenic Society for Group Analysis & Family Therapy

My recent participation to congresses is

20 – 23 of May 2010, 2nd Psychiatric Congress “Art & Psychiatry”, Chania, Greece. Workshop: The structure of a DMT group session with chronic psychotic patients

5 – 8 of May 2011, 21st Hellenic Psychiatric Congress, Athens, Greece. Panel discussion: The therapeutic alliance in family therapy 

24 – 27 of May 2012, European Federation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy international conference, Athens, Greece. Workshop: transitional space: a safe space for working – through conflicts in family therapy with a play-age family. Panel discussion: The communication of containment patterns from parent’s families of origin over their family.

24-28 July 2013, 35th World Congress on Dance Research Athens, Greece, Keynote speaker on “Dance Movement Psychotherapy and the use of a Greek traditional form of dance in a group of Greek psychotic patients”

19 – 22 March 2015 4th International Scientific Conference: Creative Arts Interconnection – Paideia – Therapy, Thessaloniki Greece

Panel Discussion : Autistic Spectrum Children: The Significance of the Use of Arts in Different Therapeutic Approaches Chair of panel: Dimitrios Zachos Psychoanalyst, Dance Movement Psychotherapist Panelists: Natassa Yanaca PhD, Alexandra Chatzistavrou Person-Centered Therapist, Music Therapist, Karakonstadaki Mariliana Theatrologist, Theater Pedagogist

Dimitrios Zachos Psychoanalyst, Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Keynote speech(Room 8) A Direct Access to the Unconscious. Expressive Movement and Dance in the Service of the Psychotherapy
Dimitrios Zachos Psychoanalyst, Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Experiential workshop (Room 9) Beyond words: a 2hours dance movement psychotherapy experiential workshop.

ADDRESS 40 Martiron 34b, TK 41221, Larisa, Greece

SKYPE NAME dimitrioszaxos

DATE OF BIRTH 8th of June, 1967

SEX Male

PLACE OF BIRTH Larisa, Greece

NATIONALITY Greek

MARITAL STATUS Married

CHILDREN 1 boy

2005 – 2010 Degree in Group Analysis & Family Therapy

Hellenic Training Institute for Group Analysis & Family Therapy, Athens, Greece 5 years taught course 3 years supervision 5 years personal analysis

TITLE OF MY THESIS (15000 words): Psychoanalytic family therapy with the use of dance movement psychotherapy and play.

1992 – 1995 Degree of MASTER OF ARTS in Dance Movement Therapy.

City University – Laban Centre for Movement & Dance, London, UK. Full-time course : 7 terms

COURSE’S COMPONENTS Theoretical – Psychology: Developmental Perspectives – Theories in Psychology: The Arts Psychotherapies – The Psychology of Groups: Group Dynamics – Dance Movement Therapy: History & Theory – Psychiatric & Psychotherapeutic Practice: Analytical Perspectives – Introduction to Family Dynamics & Approaches to Family Therapy Methodological – Case Presentation – Introduction to Research – Dissertation Study: Individual Presentation & discussion Special Technical – Movement Observation & Analysis – Movement Observation: Analysis & Diagnostic Aspects – Dance Movement Therapy Skills: Children & Adults Supporting – Medical, Anatomical & Neuropsychological Perspectives Guiding Treatment Approaches Group & one to one supervision Clinical placement

TITLE OF MY THESIS (24000 words): An exploration from a structural point of view of the use of a Greek traditional form of dance in a dance movement therapy session with Greek chronic schizophrenic patients.

1986 – 1990 Degree of BACHELOR OF SCIENCE in Physical Education & Sport Science

National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece.

COURSE’S COMPONENTS Psychology – General Psychology – Psychology of Kinetic Behaviour – Psychology of P.E. & Sports Medical – Functional Anatomy – Neuroanatomy, Cardio-respiratory System – Human Physiology – Exercise Physiology – Biomechanics in Sports – Sport medicines – Physiotherapy – Special Physical Education Paedagogics – General Pedagogics – Pedagogics & Teaching of P.E. Methodological – Introduction to Sports research – Methodology of P.E. – Ergometrics Theoretical – Theory of P.E. – Theory of Sports Coaching – History of P.E. – Sociology – Sociology of Sports – Philosophy – Philosophy of Sports – Organisation & Management Theory & Practice of Sports – Football – Handball – Basketball – Volleyball – Tennis – Swimming – Gymnastics – Classical Athletics – Horse Riding – Rowing – Dance – Greek Traditional Dances

1989 – 1990 DIPLOMA of speciality in Gymnastics

National & Kapodistrian University of Athens, Greece

1985 Secondary School Certificate

6th Secondary State school of Larisa

PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

1990                       Teacher of P.E. & Sports in Greece

1995                       Qualified Dance Movement Therapist

1999                       Qualified Teacher Status, D.F.E.E., UK (mainstream & special   schools, any subject and any age) Teacher                                                 Reference Number: RP 99/00964

2011                       QualifiedGroup Analyst & Family Therapist

 Full member of the Group Analytic Society, UK

Full member of the Hellenic Society for Group Analysis & Family Therapy

FURTHER EDUCATION – CONGRESSES

APRIL 1999 “Prevention and mental health”, a congress organized by the Technological and Educational Institute of Larisa – Department of Nurses, & General Hospital of Larisa – Mental Health Centre, Larisa, Greece.

MARCH 1997 “Child abuse and neglect”, a congress organized by the Organisation of Social Solidarity, Municipality of Larisa.

1991 Professional training for P.E. teachers (340 hours). A seminar organized by the Greek Ministry of Civilisation and the Greek General Secretary of Sports.

1989 Volleyball referee school, National & Kapodistrian University of Athens

1987 7th International Symposium of Biomechanics in Sports, Athens, Greece 1986 Seminar in Acrobatic Gymnastics, S.E.G.A.S. , Athens

20 – 23 of May 2010, 2nd Psychiatric Congress “Art & Psychiatry”, Chania, Greece.

Workshop: The structure of a DMT group session with chronic psychotic patients

5 – 8 of May 2011, 21st Hellenic Psychiatric Congress, Athens, Greece.

Panel discussion: The therapeutic alliance in family therapy

24 – 27 of May 2012, European Federation of Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy international conference, Athens, Greece.

Workshop: transitional space: a safe space for working – through conflicts in family therapy with a play-age family.
Panel discussion: The communication of containment patterns from parent’s families of origin over their family.

35th World Congress on Dance Research Athens, Greece, 24-28 July 2013

Keynote speaker on “Dance Movement Psychotherapy and the use of a Greek traditional form of dance in a group of Greek psychotic patients”

19 – 22 March 2015 4th International Scientific Conference: Creative Arts Interconnection – Paideia – Therapy, Thessaloniki Greece

Friday 20 March 2015 16:30-17:30
Panel Discussion (Room 8)
Autistic Spectrum Children: The Significance of the Use of Arts in Different Therapeutic Approaches
Chair of panel: Dimitrios Zachos Psychoanalyst, Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Panelists: Natassa Yanaca PhD, Alexandra Chatzistavrou Person-Centered Therapist, Music Therapist, Karakonstadaki Mariliana Theatrologist, Theater Pedagogist
Saturday 21 March 2015 12:00-12:40
Dimitrios Zachos Psychoanalyst, Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Keynote speech(Room 8) A Direct Access to the Unconscious. Expressive Movement and Dance in the Service of the Psychotherapy
Saturday 21 March 2015 18:30-20:00
Dimitrios Zachos Psychoanalyst, Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Experiential workshop (Room 9) Beyond words: a 2hours dance movement psychotherapy experiential workshop.

1995 – TODAY Dance Movement Therapist in Private Practice, working with children and adults, Athens & Larisa, Greece.

2011 – TODAY Group Analyst & Family Therapist in Private Practice Athens & Larisa, Greece.

2015 – 2018 external lecturer at University of Derby, MA course in Dance Movement Psychotherapy, Derby, UK

2015 – Today “Friends play” institute for Asperger syndrome children, Paris, France

2018   University of Ljubljana, Slovenia – MA in Arts Therapies

2013  faculty member of The Inspirees Institution for Creative Arts Therapy, China

2010 – 2013 Dance Movement Therapist at “Fepsy”, inpatient & outpatient psychiatric institution, Lamia, Greece

2006 – 2007 Dance Movement Therapist at the 1st state primary special school, Larisa, Greece

1999 – 2000 Member of a multi-disciplinary team of the Young’s
Social Support Society “ARSIS” working with offenders adolescents, Larisa, Greece.

2001 – TODAY Head of the Dance Movement Therapy department of the Institute for Research and Application of Self-Developing Methods, doing therapeutic (children and adults) and teaching work (to professionals), Aristotelous 50, Athens, Greece

1992 – 1994 Clinical placements as a Dance Movement Therapist in training

“Springfield” University Psychiatric Hospital, London.
Individual and group therapy with chronic psychiatric patients.

“Queensmill” primary school with autistic children, London. Individual therapy.

“Crossways” day centre, London. Group therapy with chronic psychotic out-patients

Residential Home at Vartry rd, London. Group therapy with SLD, adults.

SUMMER 1993 Mental Health Centre “TH.E.PSY.PA.”, Larisa, Greece.
Group therapy with chronic psychotic patients.

CO-OPERATION

1996 – TODAY Natassa Giannaka, clinical child-psychologist in private practice, Larisa, Greece. Groups of MLD & EBD children.

1998 – TODAY “M.Thomas”, private psychiatric hospital, Larisa, Greece

2001 – TODAY Stella Vrachoulaki, speech and language therapist

Oct. – Nov 2013

Inspirees Institute for Creative Arts Therapy, China.

25 Oct., Guangzhou, open lecture:
“The psychosexual developmental process of the child and the role of the parents- A psychoanalytic approach”

26-27 Oct, Guangzhou, workshop:
“The Art of Relationships”- An intensive dance movement therapy workshop for individuals and couples.

28-31 Oct, Shanghai, workshop: “Creative dance movement therapy workshop on parent – child relationship”
lecture “Integration of DMT, LMA, psychoanalysis in family therapy”

1 Nov, Shanghai, open lecture
“The psychosexual developmental process of the child and the role of the parents- A psychoanalytic approach”

2-3 Nov, Hangzhou, workshop:
“The Art of Relationships”- An intensive dance movement therapy workshop for individuals and couples”

19 – 22 of July, 2013.

A 4 DAYS INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP IN ANALYTIC DANCE MOVEMENT FAMILY THERAPY, Athens, Greece.

June 2003

Workshop at TEI Larisas, Nursing dept. in the continuing education program for professionals.
Topic: Introduction to Dance Movement Therapy.

2002 – Today

Workshops at the Institute for Research and Application of Self-Developing Methods, and Institute “EKFRASIS”, Athens, Greece.
Topic: Developmental exercises for pre-school, school and special needs children (Veronica Sherborne)
Topic: Movement observation & analysis
Topic: Non-verbal communication, body language and personality analysis
Topic: Autistic spectrum: Ego development using non-verbal communication techniques.

2001 – Today 

Course Co-ordinator & lecturer at a Dance Movement Therapy Foundation Course (link with British Universities), Institute for Research and Application of Self-Developing Methods, and Institute “EKFRASIS”, Athens, Greece

1999 – 2001

Course Co-ordinator & lecturer at a Dance Movement Therapy Foundation Course, “Savrami School of Dance”, Athens, Greece

1999 – 2001

Lectures at the Larisa’s Prefecture Centre for Professional Training Larisa, Greece; to MLD students and to disable students, within the frame of EU programs.

JUNE 1999

Workshop at the executives of the Nationale – Nederlanden, Insurance Company, Larisa, Greece.
Topic: Non-verbal communication; body language

DECEMBER 1998

Workshop at the “Savrami School of Dance”, Ithakis 43, Athens, Greece.
Topic: Introduction to Dance movement Therapy – Laban’s theory.

1998 & 2001

Lecture at the University of Thessaly, Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Trikala, Greece.
Topic: Introduction to Dance movement Therapy

DECEMBER 1997

Lectures at the Institute for Professional Training “E.E.T.A.”, Larisa, Greece; to single family leaders, within the frame of an E.E.C. program.
Topics:
1. Psychomotor development of the child
2. Non-verbal communication; body language

MAY 1996

Workshop at the staff of the Research Institute for the Child “Spiros Doxiadis”, Athens, Greece.
Topic: Introduction to Dance movement Therapy

APRIL 1996

Workshop at the staff of the detoxication centre K.E.TH.E.A. – TH. K. EXODOS, Larisa, Greece.
Topic: Introduction to Dance movement Therapy.

1990 – 1992

PE Teacher at “Palmos” and “Mokas” private leisure centre, Larisa, Greece.

PE Teacher at Mass Athletics Program, Greek General Secretary of Sport, Larisa, Greece.

PE Teacher at the Nurses’ School of the State General Hospital of Larisa.