The Wisdom of Pleasure
Syros Healing Waves Festival
Trauma experts Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, Licia Sky, Benjamin Fry, Despina Plousiou, Dr. Lorraine Freedle, and more!
October 3-5, 2025
Syros Island, Greece
The Syros Healing Waves Festival is a premier mental health event that will take place in Syros from October 2nd to 5th, 2025, with the goal of establishing the island as a global hub for therapeutic innovation. This one-of-a-kind festival blends pleasure with the latest advancements in neuroscience, inviting participants on a journey of personal growth and mental rejuvenation.
Over the course of a week, the festival will host workshops, lectures, and experiential activities led by mental health and arts professionals from across Greece. Every activity will be accompanied by presentations from psychologists based in Syros and beyond. Participants will explore how art, science, and psychotherapy can lead to soul renewal and healing from traumatic experiences.
Starting on October 2nd, the festival will operate as a weeklong event, open to all Syros residents and visitors, offering free access to all activities and events. Each day, 3-4 free activities will be held in various locations around the island, giving everyone the opportunity to join workshops, experiential sessions, and talks led by experts. These activities will cover a wide range of topics, from mental health and personal development to art and creative expression, allowing participants to discover new ways of connecting with themselves and others.
From Friday, October 3rd, to Sunday, October 5th, a three-day retreat will take place at the historic Apollon Theater. This exclusive retreat, designed for both mental health professionals and non-professionals, will require paid registration and will be led by Dr. Bessel van der Kolk, the internationally acclaimed author of The Body Keeps the Score, alongside other world-renowned therapists, such as Licia Sky, Benjamin Fry and Dr. Lorraine Freedle. The retreat will offer a deeper therapeutic experience, combining cutting-edge scientific insights with the power of pleasure as a valuable tool in the healing process.
The festival will conclude with a grand celebration at the Syros shipyard, honoring pleasure as a means of healing and post-traumatic growth.
This festival is not a conventional conference but an innovative scientific event embedded in a broader local celebration, aiming to position Syros as a global center for therapeutic innovation.
With a focus on pleasure and creative connection, the Syros Healing Waves Festival is here to transform the way we approach mental health. Through this unique experience, participants will gain invaluable tools for self-care and the care of those around them. Join us to be part of this transformative healing experience that promises to inspire and renew everyone involved.