Meet the First Aid of the Soul Team - Psychosocial Support for Ukraine
Ukraine is my heart, my home. Hope this message finds you well. My name is Nathalie Robelot-Timtchenko. I received my master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling with a specialization in Intermodal Expressive Arts Therapy from Lesley University in Cambridge, Massachusetts. I am a professional member of the International Expressive Arts Therapy Association [IEATA] and the European Federation of Art Therapy [EFAT]. The last eight years I have been living and working in Kyiv, Ukraine. I have over a decade of clinical work experience with groups, individuals, and families within a variety of settings as well as cultures both in the United States and in Ukraine. In Ukraine, I have worked in private practice, and organized workshops/trainings in expressive art therapy approaches for mental health professionals. More recently, I have temporarily relocated to the Boston/Cambridge, MA area, but Ukraine is and will always be my home, my heart. My spouse (who is Ukrainian) and I have so many precious friends and family there now that are being tremendously affected by the recent attacks from Russia's war against Ukraine -- this is only the beginning. It has been heartbreaking and very painful to witness the current events in Ukraine. Many friends are endangered, staying in bomb shelters across Kyiv and the whole country. However, despite it all, Ukraine is showing her resilience, glory, and unity in a time of horror; this is what keeps us going and staying hopeful for a better tomorrow. That said, we need help, your help! Ukraine needs your help - support that will last long-term. Moreover, I have gathered a team of professionally trained mental health counselors (experienced in working with trauma, crisis, disaster relief, and war) from all over the world. We are offering multifaceted services (peer support groups, chat rooms, training for mental health workers, etc.) to Ukrainians and those being affected by Russia’s war against Ukraine. This initiative "First Aid of the Soul" is evolving and will only keep growing as the need for psychosocial support for Ukraine is NOW. NATHALIE ROBELOT-TIMTCHENKO FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
