Olena Gerzhenii

Olena Gerzhenii is a practicing psychologist, Gestalt consultant, specialist in metaphorical associative cards, sand therapist, play therapist. I live and work in Svalyava. When a full-scale war began, I, like most citizens, was shocked, confused, and scared. Loose heart, and emotions were running high… And it was the «Tree of My Life» project that literally pulled me out of that condition. One of my psychologist colleagues called me and offered to conduct psychological support classes for volunteers within the framework of this project. This inspired me, forced me to get together and put all my psychological knowledge and skills into work. I felt needed! I realized that I can be useful to others. And, strangely enough, by helping others, I helped myself to «scrape out» amidst all the horror that was happening… Starting as a project, now it is a charitable foundation, a psychological-resource, educational-cultural space «THE TREE OF MY LIFE» since the first month of the war help and support to all who need it (displaced persons, volunteers, families of military personnel, local residents). After weekly group meetings, when participants thank, share emotions, talk about real positive changes, I am happy. After all, in this difficult time, it is so important to support each other, warm and fill with resources. Our task is to preserve our nervous system and psyche as best as possible. Because we still have to rebuild the country! And the victory will be ours, because we have no other option!