16th – 21st June 2023, Pelion
Express yourself
Explore your inner world
Expand your creative self
Experience Greece
A six-day retreat in Greece designed by the psychologist and author Dimitra Didangelou to help you to enrich your self-connection and nourish your soul, mind and body. A creative oasis for self- renewal and mental well-being.
Dimitra’s approach through expressive writing techniques encourages life reflection, self-exploration and creative expansion.
The workshops are useful for all individuals, while can particularly benefit those seeking to gain insight into their inner lives, increase self-awareness, listen to their inner voice and connect with their full creative potential.
Here are some activities you can expect from your retreat:
- Daily workshops in natural and serene landscapes
- Excursions to the astonishing beaches, yoga, massages, horse riding, swimming, hiking available onsite
- Breakfast and meals with delicious local dishes and wine
Space for workshops is limited to 10 participants to ensure lots of individual support and a nourishing environment, so it’s a good idea to secure your place early!
The language of the retreat will be English.
DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAM HERE SCHEDULE_Damouchari_Retreat
Freedom, revelation, catharsis. I felt like I got the pen down to my soul and then I imprinted it onto paper. And then, I faced the truth that finally was inside me. I saw, on the paper, me, in my most authentic form.
Th. K., Cyprus
WHAT MAKES THIS RETREAT SPECIAL
The content
The more you know about yourself, the richer your inner life becomes. Through specific expressive writing tools and methods developed by experts the workshops are designed to help you to get in touch with your inner world, connect with nature and other people.
Expressing freely your feelings and thoughts allows you to tune into your authentic self, identify where your blockages stem from and give you the strength to overcome them.
Here is what some of the past participants have to say about Dimitra’s workshops:
The exercises opened my eyes to a new way of thinking about my work, and myself. From the first session, I felt I was already a step forward in discovering newfound enjoyment and confidence in my writing. The workshops were so practical and flexible that I could adapt them to my specific needs.
S.B., Prague
Dimitra provided me with deeply insightful advice on the best way to proceed with the writing of a deeply personal memoir and on the struggles that come with it.
S.A., Berlin
I hugely enjoyed the one-on-one session with Dimitra. She is a great listener, and knows how to ask all the right questions to get you thinking about your own writing process. I finished the session feeling very motivated and with new insights and perspectives relating to present and future work. Perfect!
M.H., Berlin
For more information, read our FAQ about Expressive Writing.
The Host
Dimitra is a licensed psychologist, MSc and author living and working in Brussels. In her approach, she uses writing as the main tool in combination with the CRM trauma therapy model. She, also, does a synthesis of the various methods from additional training she has received, such as book therapy, meditation, philosophical counseling, and so on.
Qualifications
Bachelor Degree in Psychology, Master of Science Diploma in Psychology and Mass Media, Advanced Study in Therapeutic Writing (The Center for Journal Writing in Denver, CO, USA), Certificate in Philosophical Counseling and Psychotherapy, Training in the Comprehensive Resource Model (CRM, trauma therapy) by Lisa Schwarz, Systemic approach, Career Consultation. Seminars in Intergenerational Analysis, Book Therapy, Meditation Guidance, Bach Flower Remedies etc.
She holds an official license to practice the profession of psychologist and she’s a member of: Belgian Commission of Psychologists (no 812333003), Association of Greek Psychologists (no2671), Lapidus International, Mental Health Europe, Hellenic Network of Women in Europe.
Learn more about Dimitra Didangelou here.
The location
The retreat will take place in Pelion area, a Greece’s hidden gem, homeland of mythic Chiron Centaurus, tutor of many ancient Greek heroes and healer. Pelion is in the Greek mainland, which is home to some of the most beautiful beaches, forests and hiking trails in Greece. You will be accommodated in Damouchari, a quiet and authentic Greek fishing village, unique natural harbor of the whole area in an extremely virgin part of Pelion. Just few steps walking and one can swim and snorkel in the clear waters.
The workshops will take place in a spectacular, peaceful and serene scenery.
The low-cost
| TWIN | SINGLE | THREE BED | |
| EARLY BIRD BY 13/1 | 920 | 1180 | 870 |
| AFTER 13/1 | 980 | 1250 | 930 |
If you choose a twin room, you can book with a friend or we’ll match you with someone. The same for the three bed room, and there is also one with four beds, upon request.
Included in the price:
Not Included:
- Airfares
- Transfers from/to the airport
- Meals, with the exception of the welcome dinner
(in the village there are taverns which serve local traditional dishes and coffee-shops with snacks with average prices from 3€ for tea or coffee and 7-10€ for a dish and 6€ for a salad)
Optional Extras:
One-on-one sessions with Dimitra or Katerina (50€)
Private yoga or breathing lessons
Massage
Horse Riding
Hiking
Swimming
Damouhari’s natural harbor is perfect starting point for “sea kayak” and SUP tours to the wild coastline. The historic trade trails that connected the village with other seaside or even more mountainous traditional Pelion villages are well known to walkers who enjoy hiking on the mountains and the sea.
Accommodation & Food
You will stay in a traditional guesthouse typical of the village. All rooms and apartments have their own balcony, where one can sit and enjoy the magnificent view of the bay.
A rich, healthy breakfast awaits you, and you can enjoy it for two hours every morning on the terrace of “Victoria’s café” in the heart of the harbor. Natural flavours, local products and favorite Pelion recipes with the freshest and selected ingredients, organic and biological, create a purely Greek and traditional breakfast.
How to book
For booking inquiries, email Dimitra at
dimitra@expressingmyself.org
or send a message on WhatsApp +32 495660113
or +30 6948549865
In order to hold your place, we take a non-refundable deposit of €250. The balance of the fees will be due on May 20th. Once paid, fees are non-refundable except in the event of our cancellation.
Space for workshops is limited to 10 participants to ensure lots of individual support and a nourishing environment.
How to come
We will organise your trip from the airport to the village Damouchari.
Flights go to either Athens (4 hours driving to Damouchari) or Thessaloniki (2,5 hours). Both Athens and Thessaloniki are nice cities to spend some time or days.
Alternative option closer to Damouchari is Nea Anchialos National Airport (VOL) about half an hour drive from the city of Volos with charter flights.
You can check here:
http://www.thessalyairport.gr/en/
Damouchari is reachable by car, taxi or bus. The nearest city is Volos where public buses at least two every day (one early in the morning and one early in the afternoon) towards the village called Aghios Ioannis. From Aghios Ioannis is about 30 minutes on foot or 5 minutes by car.
For buses check here:
http://ktelvolou.gr/en/home/
What else?
Learn more about Pelion here:
https://travelersanddreamers.com/pelion-greece/
https://www.theguardian.com/travel/2006/jun/20/greece
If you want to combine your retreat with vacation in Greece before or after, you can ask Dimitra for recommendations.
