The Summer School of Trauma-Informed Arts in Lviv is an event for and about people. I attended in two roles: as a speaker and a participant. Both were wonderful. I am deeply grateful!

It was a week full of conversations, exploration, movement, music, voices, and hugs. The organizing team created an atmosphere of trust and equality, where one could truly grow and expand. I gained so many insights and gratitude from this shared experience.

The participants came from very diverse fields, and I was lucky to connect deeply with some of them during the school’s networking time. I don’t remember the last time I felt such admiration for so many people at once! So many new ideas and collaborative plans emerged. Importantly, I developed a better understanding of the needs of those in the military, both psychologically and in terms of bureaucratic support. It became clear in which directions help is most needed. These are not simple paths, of course, but at least they have appeared!

Projects like this show that we can be close despite different experiences. Shared values and mutual respect are the foundation. This is a very important point for me and a guiding direction for my thoughts and actions over the past few years.

I am truly inspired and grateful to everyone involved.

These five days passed easily, creatively, and engagingly. I especially appreciated that everything was based on clear knowledge — the information built up piece by piece, like a puzzle, and resulted in a complete picture. The theory was presented clearly and accessibly, without unnecessary complexity.

Another big plus was the atmosphere — it was inspiring to listen to other participants share their experiences and describe what they do. For me, it was important to better understand the difference between art and art therapy — where the boundary lies and what the work of an art therapist begins with. Overall, I am very grateful for this experience. It was both useful and deeply enriching.

The Summer School of Trauma-Informed Artistic Practices was for me an experience of gentle rewiring of personal and professional values. The experiences and knowledge gained over these five days will continue to unfold and integrate within me, but the feeling that something important was happening was present from day one. This includes the project team, who create safety and horizontal communication, the participants, and the combination of theoretical knowledge with practical application. A shared deep experience for which I am incredibly grateful.

This school is not just about learning. It is a place where you are seen, heard, and supported. Here, I not only gained tools for working with trauma but also learned to be attentive, delicate, and confident when engaging with someone’s experiences. In this school, art is not just a technique — it is a language through which one can gently touch the inner world without disturbing its integrity. Now, in my work with adolescents and adults, there is more warmth, meaning, and a safe space for change.

Thank you to the Art Therapy Force team for this profound transformation — I want to continue being part of this community.

The school became a place of transformation. Over a few days, I experienced a whole range of emotions — from deep sadness and compassion to childlike laughter and warmth. By the end, I realized it had become much easier for me to express myself, raise my hand among still unfamiliar people, and be heard.

The school also highlighted professionals who work with or aspire to work with people in need of support. Previously, I thought there were few such people, as this work is extremely challenging, little studied, and simultaneously vital. Now I see that there are many — from different corners of Ukraine and the world.

I’m so happy I had the chance to attend the school! The theory was very focused, and there was plenty of immersive practice that you experience and internalize. The environment was creative, free, and open, encouraging growth. There was so much engaging conversation, ideas, and insights.

The trainers are a special love! They don’t just teach — they ignite the heart, give wings, and provide solid grounding. Special thanks to the organizing team! From the first to the last minute, you feel that every detail was taken care of. You constantly feel part of a living organism — a team.
Thank you for this wonderful experience! ❤️

Huge thanks to Art Therapy Force, the organizers of the incredible Summer School of Trauma-Informed Arts! During these intense four days, we had a unique opportunity to deepen our knowledge, share our own stories and reflections. The lectures were extremely informative, and the atmosphere strongly encouraged open dialogue.

This school clearly showed how art and medicine, working together, can create miracles in mental health. They bring hope, open new perspectives, and help us discover inner resources for healing and growth.