- DTCare in Ukraine | Mental Health -
Psychological Support for Veterans and Civilians
Fostering Mental Well-being Using Art Therapy
DTCare is proud to collaborate with the Charity Fund for the Development and Support of the Ukrainian Navy, the International Humanitarian University of Odesa, the New York Art Therapy Association, and Emerald Sketch to provide essential mental health services to veterans, veteran families, and civilians in Odesa, Ukraine. As the Russia-Ukraine war persists, the need for psychological support grows. The Ministry of Veterans Affairs of Ukraine found that 57 percent of veterans need psychological aid. Veterans are not only afflicted by the aftermath of combat at the front but face having to rebuild their lives in a war-torn country.
Art therapy utilizes creative techniques that involve drawing, painting, collage, coloring, or sculpting to help individuals express their emotions and traumatic experiences. Credentialed art therapists can help individuals interpret the nonverbal, underlying messages reflected in their art to better understand their emotions and behavior to address deeper-rooted problems. With the support of local and international partners, DTCare is committed to making mental health services more accessible for Ukrainian veterans and their families by expanding the Center for Psychological Support’s Art Therapy program with more counselors, sessions, and international resources.
“Individuals, especially young children and teenagers, face traumatic experiences that are too painful to put into words. In this case, non-verbal therapy methods, such as art therapy, will help.”
- Nicole Porter, psychologist & founder of Emerald Sketch, life.nv.ua
Our Goals for the Program
1.
Hiring more therapists will expand the reach of the program by increasing the number of counseling sessions available.
Appoint additional therapists
2.
DTCare seeks to foster a network of international cooperation by connecting Ukrainian therapists with American experts.
Foster international cooperation
3.
Collaborating with American experts will help facilitate training and professional development programs for therapists.
Implement training for therapists
4.
Providing mental health services for therapists at the center supports their emotional well-being and enhances their capability.
Support therapists’ mental health
5.
DTCare aims to secure private and grant funding to ensure the sustainability and the continuity of the art therapy program.
Secure funding for continuity
6.
The provision of hard-to-access art materials and supplies better equips therapists and helps enable the success of the program.
Provide hard-to-access art materials
The Benefits of Art Therapy
Art therapy is a useful tool for therapists to help patients identify and understand their thoughts, emotions, and psychological disposition. Five benefits include:
Increases self-perception and awareness. Art helps patients focus on the now, identify their emotional responses, and connect with their emotions and physical awareness.
Boosts personal integration. Patients strengthen their identity and self-image through the art therapy process.
Improves emotion and impulse regulation. Art therapy helps patients improve their ability to regulate and control emotions.
Promotes positive behavioral change. Patients learn through art therapy to adjust their behavioral responses to themselves and others.
Enables the expression of insight and comprehension. Art therapy helps patients verbalize their emotions and experiences.
Meet the Team
Tetiana Trufanova
Yevhen Zaslavskyi
Andriy Lankin
Lidiia Dyka
Polina Bereziuk
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Practical Psychologist & Psychotherapist
Lankin earned his Master’s Degree in Psychology from the South Ukrainian National Pedagogical University.
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Practical Psychologist & Social Worker
After obtaining his social work certification, Zaslavskyi specialized in psychology and earned his Master’s Degree in Psychology from Odesa National University and Psychotherapy Degree from St. Petersburg Gestalt Institute.
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Practical Psychologist, Art-therapist, & Teacher
Berenziuk earned a Degree in Primary Education from Odesa Pedagogical College, specializing further in Psychology, earning a Degree in Psychology from Odesa Pedagogical, and her art-therapy certification from the Psychea Association.
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Psychologist & Art-therapy Consultant
Dyka obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Moscow Humanitarian and Economic Institute, specializing in Psychological Counselling. Dyka heads an Art Therapy Practices program at a local NGO.
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Teacher
Trufanova earned her Degrees in Primary Education and English Literature from the South Ukrainian Pedagogical University and further trained in “creative methods of self-care and finding resources” and “fine art as a way to ensure the education of a harmonious person.”
Our Partners
DTCare is proud to partner with the Charity Fund for the Development Support of the Ukrainian Navy, Zwiazek Harcerstwa Polskiego (ZHP), Blick Art Materials, Artist and Craftsman Supply, and Darkhorse Benefits to make essential psychological support services available for Ukrainian veterans and their families.
Resources
See the resources below for more information: