Art therapy for the victims of war

The Center for Adult Education in Poltava, which has been operating at PUET for four years with the support of the German foundation DVV International, announced a series of trainings in art therapy in early February 2022. On February 26, a group was formed for the “Art Therapy is treating with art” training.

And on February 24, started a full-scale aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine. Therefore, such trainings have become especially relevant. This was also unanimously stated by the participants of the “sensory-motor unloading during stress” training, which was held in mid-March. “Audial therapy in extreme situations”, “Art therapy with painting when dealing with anxiety”, “Finding internal resources with the help of metaphorical illustrations”, “Correction of anxiety disorders with intuitive writing and graphics” trainings were also conducted at that time.

A large number of art therapy trainings on the March themes were held in April as well.

Coach Olena Manko, a certified art therapist who had worked with attendees all this time, defined several categories of them: residents from different cities and villages of Ukraine who were forced to leave their homes because of war; locals who lived in their homes but felt guilty about it. There were also “tired volunteers” who, since the beginning of the war, have been helping people to endure the hardships of wartime.

In turn, the listeners were grateful to the coaches for the extremely cozy atmosphere in which the classes were held, for the opportunity to openly share their experiences and joys, to support each other. It’s no wonder they say that “shared joy is a double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.” So, let’s unite!

Everything will be Ukraine!