Ms Vaso Papali

During my education in dramatherapy 20 years ago, I started to research the ancient Greek tragedy "Medea" by Euripides, intrigued by this story. Being a mother myself, I wanted to understand what may drive such destructive actions. The research informed my thesis, concluding that every mother runs the risk of causing serious harm to her children, especially when she finds herself lacking support. A supportive framework of respect, understanding and nurturing of the nurturer is crucial in contributing to the already challenging task of raising humans on this earth. The research also highlighted the devaluation of both Motherhood in Western societies and of Women themselves worldwide. This led me to create a series of dramatherapy workshops as a means for women to gather, cultivate self-awareness, heal and tap into their power reaping the benefits of a circle of women of different ages, background, and stages in their lives. Based on the ancient Greek mythological Goddesses and heroins, the participants co-created a safe space to enhance their creativity and bring up the issues that concerned them, and take away the nourishment and support of the group. In my work for many years with drug addiction and rehabilitation, and in my private practice as a therapist, I keep exploring these Archetypes as a source of inspiration, strength, and transformation. I also organise courses and seminars based on this work in the summer months in the Aegean islands.