Art Therapy for Women Affected by the War

As we conclude another important project, we feel gratitude for the journey we have taken and, at the same time, a gentle sadness that it is coming to an end. This was a series of art therapy meetings for girls and women who were forcibly displaced to the Zhmerynka community as a result of the war.

For NGO “Unique Country”, this project became more than just a series of sessions. It became a space of support where women could pause, breathe, be among people with similar experiences and, through creativity, give space to their emotions, memories and inner resources.

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A safe space for expression and support

Over the course of 12 art therapy sessions, we created an atmosphere in which participants could speak about important things not only with words. Creativity helped them gently touch difficult experiences, better recognize their own feelings, find ways of self-support and restore a sense of inner grounding.

During the meetings, various art therapy techniques were used:

• drawing;
• modelling with clay or dough;
• creating collages;
• working with metaphorical cards;
• elements of body-oriented therapy;
• group discussion and reflection.

Each technique gave participants an opportunity to explore their own state in their own way, see their resources and feel that support can be nearby — in the group, in the creative process and in shared experience.

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What participants experienced

According to participants’ feedback, taking part in the project helped them feel more calm, acceptance and confidence. For many, the meetings became an opportunity to release accumulated emotions, spend time in a safe environment and gradually restore contact with themselves.

Participants noted the following important changes:

• increased emotional resilience;
• improved self-esteem;
• stronger social connections;
• development of creative self-expression;
• greater trust in themselves and others;
• a stronger sense of inner support.

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Why this mattered

Women who have experienced forced displacement often carry with them not only the loss of home or familiar surroundings, but also tension, uncertainty, worry for loved ones and the need to rebuild life in a new place. In such circumstances, support should not be formal — it should be attentive, human and safe.

The art therapy format made it possible to work with experiences gently and with care. Not all emotions are easy to put into words, but they can be drawn, shaped, arranged into a collage, or seen through an image or symbol. For many participants, this became a way to better understand themselves and find new forms of self-expression.

An additional value of the project was the creation of new acquaintances and supportive connections. Participants worked not only with their inner state, but also felt that they were not alone in their experience.

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Partnership and gratitude

We sincerely thank our partners — Lindsey Einhaus Chilcutt, the Peace Corps in Ukraine and RPCV Alliance for Ukraine — for their support, trust and belief in this initiative.

Thanks to this support, women affected by the war and forced displacement received a space for emotional recovery, creative self-expression, communication and mutual support.

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What remains after the project

After initiatives like this end, what remains is not only photographs, creative works or memories of the meetings. What remains is the experience of trust, a sense of togetherness and the understanding that even in difficult circumstances, a person can find new sources of strength.

NGO “Unique Country” continues to work so that people affected by the war have access to knowledge, professional support, safe spaces and resources for recovery and development in their communities.