- DTCare in Ukraine | Mental Health -
Education and Therapist Capacity Building
Educating and Building Capacity of Therapists in the Specialized Field of Art Therapy
Though DTCare’s current programs are making great strides in accessible war-focused trauma care, the need for additional psychological support across the country continues to grow as the conflict persists. More than ever, Ukrainians need mental health support, and DTCare wants to ensure the education and intervention of Art Therapy are bigger than DTCare programs’ impact alone. DTCare is working to advance Ukraine’s art therapy curriculum with an intentional focus on war-induced trauma, PTSD, sexual abuse, and specialized art therapy practices for children with the aim to make the Ukrainian educational system more accessible and aligned with global Art Therapy standards.
DTCare seeks to increase sensitivity training for art therapists working with victims of sexual abuse, torture, and individuals recovering from limb loss, vision loss, and other physical injuries while providing mental health support for therapists to prevent vicarious trauma. Our team facilitates collaboration and clinical supervision between licensed art therapists in Ukraine and international experts to build international relations in the Art Therapy profession. As we continue to grow our impact, our goal is to create lasting generational change to help Ukraine not only heal from current war trauma but to help them rebuild after the war is over.
TNMU Introduces Art Therapy Course in Partnership with DTCare and First Aid of the Soul
Advancing Mental Health Support through Art Therapy for Staff and Students at Ternopil National Medical University
Marking a significant leap forward in mental health education, Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU), in collaboration with DTCare and First Aid of the Soul, has launched an innovative two-semester online art therapy course tailored for medical students and psychiatry interns. Led by certified professionals from Lesley University—known for its excellence in pedagogy, mental health, and art—this program is already showing remarkable potential. Under the expertise of Professor Mitchell Kossak, students and staff delve into the principles of art therapy and its integration into psychiatric treatment, with a keen focus on trauma recovery. Participants commend the course’s innovative methodology, interactive design, and practical application opportunities. Through direct engagement with music and art therapy techniques, they cultivate essential skills in empathy, nonverbal communication, and mental resilience. This course is pivotal for understanding therapeutic processes and enhancing skills for professional development, thereby empowering participants for future contributions in the social-cognitive and communication sectors. Discover more on TMNU’s Facebook page here.
Educational Initiatives for Professionals: Working with AATA
DTCare Empowers Ukrainian Art Therapists to Foster Sustainable Solutions and Quality Mental Health Care
DTCare realized at an early stage that solely providing mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) sessions to the public in Ukraine was inadequate to cater to the multifaceted requirements of individuals affected by different crises. Instead, we understood the importance of investing in capacity building and educational opportunities for Ukrainian art therapists.
By providing educational opportunities and capacity building for Ukrainian art therapists, DTCare aimed to foster sustainable solutions to create a lasting impact by equipping local professionals with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary to continue providing support long after external organizations may have left the area. Investing in the training and development of Ukrainian art therapists enhances the quality of care provided to individuals seeking mental health support.
Seton Hill Training Enhances DTCare Therapist Skills
DTCare’s Collaboration with Seton Hill University Expert Enhances Skills and Benefits Clients
DTCare art therapists in Ukraine recently initiated a unique program to enhance their skills and knowledge by collaborating with Dana Elmendorf, a renowned expert from Seton Hill University. This bi-weekly peer training and skill-sharing session provides the art therapists with valuable insights and strategies to optimize their practice and better serve their clients. Through this training, DTCare art therapists stay up-to-date with the latest techniques and research while networking with an experienced professional. This joint effort not only elevates the quality of care for clients but also showcases the commitment of DTCare's art therapists in Ukraine to continuous learning and improvement.
“DTCare’s work to foster art therapy across Ukraine is both timely and rich with possibilities. Regular “Skill Share” meetings where we explore art therapy approaches in a range of settings and applications have fostered imaginative and effective approaches. I am inspired by the strong training of Ukrainian therapists and their commitment to continuing the work, even in difficult circumstances. The “Skill Share” meetings also build relationships where we unite around shared perspectives. For example, the sound of the word імпровізація - improvisation and discovering this shared focus in our work.”
Collaborating with First Aid of the Soul
DTCare and First Aid of the Soul Partner to Strengthen Mental Health Services in Ukraine
DTCare is thrilled to be partnering in a variety of ways through the sharing of networks and resources with First Aid of the Soul (FAS) in support of mental health efforts in Ukraine. First Aid of the Soul is a collective of dedicated professionally trained mental health clinicians from North America and across Europe offering accessible and free mental health and psychosocial support services to individuals affected by the ongoing war in Ukraine. FAS’s services are trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, holistic, and consist of creative approaches. FAS’s vision is to restore a sense of dignity, belonging, and well-being to the soul of Ukraine. FAS does this work by offering a wide array of support services spanning from support groups, supervision, mentorship, training, workshops, and self-help materials.
Training Psychology Students in Trauma Therapy
Educating Prospective Therapists in Trauma Therapy with Emerald Sketch
DTCare co-hosted Art Therapy for War-Related Trauma, a university course for prospective psychologists at the International Humanitarian University of Odesa that started on February 10, 2023. Nicole Porter, psychologist and founder of The Emerald Sketch, teaches the free 14-week trauma and art therapy class for 88 undergraduate and master’s students. The course was available in person at the university and virtually throughout the 14-week period to ensure that students had the flexibility and resources needed to complete the course successfully.
DTCare, Emerald Sketch, and the New York Art Therapy Association kicked off the art therapy university course with a trauma-informed workshop for 150 attendees in end-2022. The workshop served as a pilot to assess the level of interest from the Odessa community in art therapy. A positive turnout at the event, both virtually and in person, convinced us to work on establishing a long-term and multi-faceted art therapy initiative in Odesa.
Sharing Our Stories
DTCare x The Emerald Sketch Art Therapy Workshop
Students attending the “How Art Therapy Heals Trauma” workshop at the International Humanitarian University of Odesa share their work and thoughts with psychologist and art therapy expert Nicole Porter from The Emerald Sketch.
About The Emerald Sketch
The Emerald Sketch helps children, families, and communities around the globe heal symptoms of post-traumatic stress and grief when faced with devastating tragedy. To do this, they provide groups with direct access to qualified creative arts therapists and clinical services. They train clinicians in their proprietary creative arts therapy-based trauma response sequence to ensure communities receive consistent mental health support through their proven and effective art therapy methods. The Emerald Sketch is based in New York City and Hudson, NY, with over 500 trained clinicians in Newtown, Connecticut, California, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, South Carolina, Florida, and Wisconsin. Every Emerald Sketch program seeks to help individuals heal, build resiliency, regain a sense of balance, and establish emotional self-reliance. The Emerald Sketch has elevated the lives of over 1,500 clients. Read more about their life-changing work at www.emeraldsketch.com.
Psychological Support for Therapists
Mentorship, Training, and Mental Health Support for Ukrainian Therapists
As our therapists work to provide essential support for Ukrainians suffering from trauma and need to continue being a support system for others, they need to do their jobs with fewer resources while being under severe stress due to the conflict. DTCare is committed to fostering the mental well-being of our therapists and making essential resources accessible. DTCare is teaming up with the New York Art Therapy Association, Emerald Sketch, and U.S. therapists to mentor, train, and provide psychological support for therapists in Ukraine.
