"Place of Power - a space of absolute acceptance": interview with psychologist Alyona Oleksienko
How do teenagers find their place during war and why story-based games help better than lectures? In this article, psychologist Alyona shares her work experience and also tells how a chance decision to become a psychologist turned into a true calling.
"Actually, I chose the profession of a psychologist by chance. When I entered university, I decided to give psychology a chance, but I was ready to change my major if I didn't like it. In my first year of study, I realized that with this knowledge I could help people."
Alena admitted that working with teenagers brings her the most pleasure.
"While working at school, I realized that I wanted to work with children and teenagers. With them, I see greater results and feel a real return.", — explains the psychologist.
The full-scale invasion changed the lives of every Ukrainian. But despite all the challenges, teenagers remain teenagers with their own characteristics and needs. They are still searching for themselves, building relationships with peers and adults, and worrying about their appearance, although now new anxieties and problems have been added to this.
"Most inquiries concern communication, self-esteem issues, and self-confidence".
For almost a year, Alena has been working at the Place of Strength, a space where teenagers can be themselves without fear of judgment. The psychologist conducts story-based games and therapy groups, including for children of military personnel and war veterans.
Unlike individual counseling, group therapy gives teens a sense of support from peers who are experiencing similar problems.
"The biggest advantage of therapeutic groups compared to individual counseling is that teenagers do not feel alone, they are in a group of like-minded people who understand them and share their experiences.", — explains Alena.
A special place in the psychologist's work is occupied by story games. They are not only a fun way to spend time, but also an effective tool for developing important life skills. Alena has developed several scenarios that are especially popular among teenagers.
In the game “Postapocalypse”, participants find themselves in the epicenter of a catastrophe with one chance for salvation - a bunker for 8 people. Players receive role cards and must convince others why they deserve a place in the hiding place. After debates and voting, the “lucky ones” get into the bunker, but the “exiles” do not give up and develop their own rescue plan. At the final stage, both teams come up with how to rebuild the world after the apocalypse.
No less exciting is the game “Shipwreck”, where teenagers find themselves on a sinking ship. First, the participants are divided into two teams of lifeboats, where each has their own role. Then they receive a list of 15 items left on the ship. The task is to show unconventional thinking and determine which things are most important for survival, creating your own rating. The peculiarity of this game is that there are scientifically based correct answers - the team whose list most closely matches the official UNESCO rating wins.
"Games develop critical thinking and communication skills. Teenagers learn to formulate arguments and defend their position without fear of judgment", — explains the psychologist.
During her work, Alena has witnessed many changes in the lives of teenagers. She notices how the activities and the atmosphere of the space change the behavior and emotional state of visitors - they gradually open up, find new friends, and begin to trust others.
"The space provides a unique opportunity to communicate with peers with different life experiences. Here, teenagers can be equal, they do not have to assert themselves at the expense of others, because the Place of Power is a territory of absolute acceptance.", — concludes the psychologist.
The Place of Strength has become an important part of life for many teenagers — a place where they are understood, accepted, and supported in difficult times. And for psychologist Alena — an opportunity to realize her professional calling and see real results of her work!
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