A three-day training course on “Trauma-based art therapy” took part at the Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center from April 23rd – 25th, 2024. The training course was organized within the framework of the “Global Speakers” program of the US Department of State.
The training course was led by David Mitchell, a mental health counselor and art therapist, who has worked in this field for over 25 years (the last 10 years of which he worked in the direction of grief therapy).
Various specialists from the Republican Pedagogical-Psychological Center, RA Territorial Pedagogical-Psychological Support Centers, Fund for Armenian Relief (FAR), Child Development Fund, “Bridge of Hope” NGO, other non-governmental organizations operating in the field, as well as psychologists from Nagorno Karabakh participated in the current training course.
A variety of art therapy interventions were considered during the training course. The participants got acquainted with various skills, tricks, and techniques of art therapy, with the main emphasis on trauma-sensitive art therapy and specifically targeting the psychological help of the forcibly displaced population from Nagorno Karabakh to overcome the feeling of grief, to create positive connections with reality and even more.
Furthermore, the participants discussed the effectiveness of the training course from the point of view of acquiring new practical skills to work in post-traumatic situations and voiced opinions and recommendations, based on the analysis of which joint teaching was carried out.
They also enjoyed one of the alternative/art therapy projects implemented by the Center – the RPPC “MIASIN” theater, watching a part of the “AREVALUSIN” performance.
The Cultural Attaché Nathan Austin, and the director of the RPPC Lilit Mnatsakanyan, made a concluding speech.
Valuing the cooperation in this field once again, they also considered the prospects and possibilities of the continuation of art therapy courses. The training course ended with a certificate awarding ceremony in a warm and creative atmosphere.
29.04.2024
