Completion of the Art Therapy Course: International Experience and Innovative Approaches to Mental Health
Fourth-year students of Ternopil National Medical University (TNMU) have successfully completed the elective course “Art Therapy”, which became a significant step toward developing a modern vision of psychological support and healing through creativity.
Throughout the course, students immersed themselves in the world of expressive therapy — an interdisciplinary approach that integrates art, music, movement, writing, and other forms of creative self-expression. Special emphasis was placed on working with psychological trauma — in the context of war, loss, forced displacement, and endured stress.
Participants explored the neurobiological mechanisms of trauma response: the interaction between the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and bodily reactions. They also learned resource-based self-regulation techniques involving rhythm, movement, breathing, and body awareness.
One of the central themes of the course was processing personal and collective stories as a source of healing. Students created narrative projects, analyzed artistic imagery, and practiced methods of narrative art therapy for integrating traumatic experiences, overcoming isolation, and constructing new meaning.
Special attention was given to the topics of grief, loss, secondary traumatization, and resilience — both as an individual ability to face adversity and as a collective strength of communities supporting one another in times of crisis. The course also explored self-help and self-care approaches for professionals in helping roles.
The course had a distinct interdisciplinary and international character. It was delivered with the participation of leading experts in art therapy, psychotherapy, neurobiology, social work, and education from around the world:
- Dr. Mitchell Kossak – Professor at Lesley University (USA), researcher of embodied empathy
- Dr. Kelvin A. Ramirez – Art therapist, lecturer at Columbia College (USA)
- Dr. Yousef AlAjarma – Specialist in conflict transformation (Jordan–USA)
- Dr. Hillary Rubesin – Psychotherapist, clinical supervisor
- Greta Bro – Music therapist, retreat facilitator
- Dr. Co Carew – Social worker, therapist
- Marianela Soto Hurtado – Child and adolescent psychologist from Chile
- Dr. Joe Mageary – Clinical supervisor in the field of art therapy
We sincerely thank our international lecturers for their openness to collaboration, their deep knowledge, and the inspiration they so generously shared. Their approach combines high professionalism, deep humanity, and a belief in the healing power of creativity.
We also express our heartfelt gratitude to the TNMU administration for supporting this initiative, which allowed our students to gain unique knowledge and practical skills through collaboration with leading international experts. This opportunity was a meaningful step in deepening the understanding of contemporary approaches to psychological care — especially relevant in today’s realities.
We thank all the students for their dedication, active participation, and sincerity throughout the learning process. We wish you inspiration, inner resilience, and professional growth on the path of helping those who have experienced pain, loss, and trauma.