SPOTLIGHT
Art Therapy Course at TNMU Completes Inaugural Year: Empowering Ukraine’s Future Medical Professionals
A Collaboration with First Aid of the Soul and Voces
A new standard in trauma-informed care in partnership with First Aid of the Soul and Voces, DTCare and Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU) has successfully concluded our pioneering two-semester Integrative Art Therapy Course for medical students and psychiatry interns.
Guided by certified experts, including Prof. Mitchell Kossak (Lesley University), the 8-session course explored trauma-informed expressive arts, embodied empathy, grief healing, creative coping strategies, and care for caregivers. Real-life scenarios and hands-on experience helped participants build empathy, emotional stabilization, and nonverbal interpretation skills—crucial assets for Ukraine’s war-affected communities. Read more
Impact at a Glance
92%
92%
would recommend the course
found the course highly useful
77%
85%
interested in global cooperation
confident providing first aid
“I am so much more confident in delivering psychological support. Every doctor should have this training!”
Art Therapy and Mental Health Support
Unlocking Healing Through Art: Art Therapy Helps Trauma Survivors Find Relief and Recovery
DTCare recognizes the growing need for psychological counseling and support in Ukraine and is committed to expanding mental health programs in collaboration with international partners. This includes facilitating both group and individual art therapy sessions with the expertise of 27 therapists in five regions, as well as hosting a 14-week introductory course at the International Humanitarian University of Odesa. In addition, DTCare has partnered with local organizations, including TAPS and Care in Action, to provide free art therapy specifically for vulnerable groups such as religious minorities, women, orphaned children, veterans, and victims of abuse. DTCare also extends its reach to isolated or rural communities through mobile teams of art therapists and operates a play therapy program for children in Mykolaiv. To ensure the continual development and support of Ukrainian therapists, DTCare offers free professional development and clinical supervision in partnership with international experts.
DTCare's group art therapy in Odesa provides a nurturing environment for individuals, especially children, to build confidence and express creativity. This approach combines art-making and talk therapy, effectively aiding those who have experienced trauma. It promotes self-awareness and essential coping skills while allowing participants to process grief and manage crises, enhancing emotional recovery and resilience.
The Mykolaiv Creative Arts Therapy Center in Ukraine offers critical mental health support through art therapy, focusing on trauma healing and resilience. Providing free community arts programs and personalized support, the center fosters emotional expression and community unity. DTCare intends to expand therapeutic offerings, raise mental health awareness, and preserve cultural heritage, promoting individual healing and community growth.
In March 2023, DTCare began offering mental health resources to children in Lviv's foster care system in partnership with Care in Action, a Ukrainian nonprofit dedicated to supporting vulnerable children in Ukraine. Certified art therapists support unhoused and orphaned youth, enhancing existing systems and promoting systemic changes. DTCare is committed to ensuring comprehensive mental health care for these vulnerable communities.
With ongoing conflict affecting millions, art therapy has become a critical intervention for Ukrainians developing mental health conditions. This method allows non-verbal expression of emotions and traumas, with therapists helping interpret artwork to gain insights into feelings. Art therapy offers a crucial pathway for healing and overcoming emotional barriers related to severe trauma.
DTCare’s art therapy in Kyiv supports those displaced by conflict, fostering creative self-expression. DTCare offers therapies like drawing and fairy tale sessions for IDPs, especially children aged 7 to 12 impacted by war. These initiatives aid in trauma alleviation and emotional resilience building.
Partnering with NOSU and NGO "Maximum," DTCare provides art therapy in Dnipro for children of all ages and abilities. Therapists create a safe space for emotional expression and trauma processing, improving self-esteem and mental health. These sessions support individual healing and strengthen community bonds through creative outlets.
DTCare’s Ovruch program provides art therapy for veterans and children, facilitating emotional rehabilitation in a supportive setting. By using art for non-verbal expression, participants can process trauma effectively. The focus on veterans and their families ensures a nurturing environment for healing, aiding recovery through creative expression.
DTCare focuses on expanding Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) in Ukraine during the ongoing conflict. By empowering art therapists through education, capacity building, and peer support, DTCare equips them with essential skills to support strained communities. This commitment ensures a lasting impact of art therapy interventions across the country.
How art therapy meets the UN’s sustainability goals
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![UN's 17 Sustainability Goals - Goal 3]()
Goal 3: Good Health
Art therapy helps improve an individual's physical, mental, and emotional well-being. It is beneficial for people of all ages and helps with a range of health issues like anxiety, depression, trauma, and chronic pain. Art therapy promotes self-expression, reflection, and healing, which allows individuals to improve their overall health and well-being. It also encourages self-care, stress management, and coping skills, making it an effective tool in meeting the UN's sustainability goal 3 of promoting good health and well-being for all.
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![UN's 17 Sustainability Goals - Goal 4]()
Goal 4: Quality Education
Art therapy for marginalized and vulnerable communities in Ukraine can contribute to achieving the UN’s sustainability goal 4 of Quality Education by providing alternative and inclusive education opportunities, addressing mental health and trauma, developing critical and creative thinking skills, promoting self-expression and empowerment, and fostering cultural understanding.
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![UN's 17 Sustainability Goals - Goal 5]()
Goal 5: Gender Equality
Art therapy utilizes creativity and artistic expression to promote mental well-being, especially for women and girls. Art therapy can be crucial in achieving the UN's sustainability goal 5 of gender equality. It can empower individuals to explore their feelings, develop a deeper understanding of their identities and strengths, and challenge gender stereotypes. Art therapy provides a safe and inclusive space that promotes self-confidence and relieves mental health challenges. Overall, it is a valuable tool for achieving gender equality and promoting a more inclusive and equitable society.
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![UN's 17 Sustainability Goals - Goal 10]()
Goal 10: Reduced Inequalities
Art therapy promotes social inclusion. It can address the UN's sustainability goal 10 of reducing inequalities by providing a means of communication for marginalized and disadvantaged individuals who may struggle to express themselves through traditional means. It offers a safe and non-judgmental space for diverse communities to express themselves creatively and explore their emotions. Art therapy can also promote well-being and mental health and contribute to a more inclusive and equitable society.
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![UN's 17 Sustainability Goals - Goal 16]()
Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
Art therapy uses creative mediums like painting, sculpting, and writing to promote psychological healing and self-expression. It helps individuals cope with trauma, develop empathy, and build strong connections, contributing to a more peaceful and just society. By promoting mental and emotional well-being, art therapy can also help prevent violence and encourage conflict resolution. It is a valuable tool for achieving the UN's 16th sustainability goal of peace, justice, and strong institutions.
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