The East Europe Foundation together with writer Irena Karpa presented an interactive online course for teenagers on writing practices and creative thinking as a means of self-help in difficult circumstances.
The course helps participants learn to perceive their experience as a resource that allows them to better understand themselves and their emotions. The main idea is to turn personal experience into an interesting story, to see it from a new perspective, and to realise their ability to influence their own lives. The tools for this are simple things: a pen, paper or even a phone.
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The programme consists of five lectures:
- How to move away from the stereotypical scenario of life.
- Identifying and understanding your own emotions.
- Practice of automatic writing to overcome traumatic experiences.
- Methods of regaining resources and self-confidence.
- Why dreaming is important for emotional balance.
As part of the course, participants will learn about coping strategies for stressful situations, the characteristics of basic emotions, methods of filling with resources and automatic writing techniques. In addition to lectures, the programme includes interactive exercises for self-analysis and acting out possible behavioural scenarios.
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Although the course is aimed at teenagers, it will be useful for anyone who wants to use writing as a tool for self-exploration and emotional recovery.
The training materials were developed with the participation of Larysa Voloshyna, a psychologist with 19 years of experience who combines the methods of depth psychology with cognitive behavioural therapy. Upon completion of the course, it is possible to obtain a certificate (without ECTS credits).
The project was implemented within the framework of the ‘Capable and Strong’ programme with the support of Switzerland.
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