Healing Creativity: An Interview with Alyona, a Psychologist at Place of Power, about Art Therapy for Teenagers
Alena's professional path began in a rather unusual way for a psychologist - in the field of human resources management. For 10 years, she worked as an HR manager in leading Ukrainian companies.
"I came to psychotherapy through my own development and motherhood experiences," — says Alena — "The experience of raising my own children inspired me to delve deeper into therapy, to gain additional knowledge and skills. Adolescence is a difficult period in a person's life, so working with teenagers is very important to me."
Gradually, her passion grew into a profession. Since 2014, Alena began conducting individual, family, and group therapy, obtained an art therapist certification, and became a member of the national psychological and art therapy associations of Ukraine. Today, she works as a psychologist at the Place of Power, where she conducts art therapy classes and helps teenagers discover their potential.
"Everything with the prefix art is fashionable now, but let's figure it out. Art therapy is a method of therapy based on creativity and the building and development of psychotherapeutic relationships. Art therapy helps harmonize the development of a teenager's personality through self-expression, self-disclosure, self-knowledge, and the use of their own resources in their lives and interactions with other people," — the psychologist explains.
According to her, this method has two main directions: creative self-expression and the perception of art. Art therapy can include music therapy, drawing, sculpture, fairy tale therapy, sand therapy, bibliotherapy, or drama therapy.
The peculiarity of this direction is that it does not require special artistic skills. "No special artistic skills are required here – just a desire to know yourself.”, — emphasizes Alena.
In the classes in the space, a wide variety of materials are used: paints, clay, sand, fabrics, wool. Everyone can find what best helps to express emotions and feelings. "We don't just paint or sculpt", — the specialist explains — "Through creativity, teenagers learn to better understand themselves, cope with unfavorable emotions and feelings, and build healthy relationships".
Art therapy is especially useful for adolescents who have low self-esteem, traumatic experiences, anxiety, lack of motivation, or communication difficulties.
"This age is a real roller coaster", — explains Alyona. — "When ordinary conversations don't help, creativity opens new doors to understanding oneself and the world. Through art therapy, teenagers learn to adapt to life changes, better understand their feelings, and build healthy relationships with others."
There is a special atmosphere in art therapy classes. At the beginning, participants assess their emotional state, then they perform various breathing and movement exercises for self-regulation, then the main creative work begins, which ends with a discussion and exchange of impressions between participants.
"I create a space where everyone can be themselves. There is no right or wrong, only your own unique way of expressing yourself."
The results are not long in coming. "Parents notice changes after the first lessons," — the psychologist shares her observations. — "Children become calmer, sleep better, communicate more easily with their peers"Although deep transformations usually require three months to a year of regular meetings.
In conclusion, Alena gives advice to parents: "Be sure to take the opportunity to try art therapy. This is an ecological and resource-saving method that will definitely be beneficial for your child.".
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