Viktoriia Varha

KIGiP representative in Uzhhorod. Trainer of levels one and two. Author and leader of the specialisation in running parent–child groups

Viktoriia on gestalt and on herself

«The most important thing in gestalt for me is when I see the results of the work: the eyes of people who have learnt to enjoy life, to be happy and loved.

When I see a mother rejoice because her child is getting better.

When I see people work wonders that had been impossible for them before.

When I feel the energy of people who believe that they can and will.

For me all this is even better than being thanked for my work!»

Education

«I first came to KIGiP to study psychodrama. But the group did not fill up that time, and I decided to join a gestalt group.

And, as it turned out, not in vain!

I learnt to feel, to understand and to be aware of my needs — for me that was like a breath of air.

I do not know how I lived without it before… As if I had been another person. We were not taught this as children, and without it life is hard! To this day I keep learning.

I was simply lucky to meet a good teacher. My first mentor was Nataliia Turbovets.

In 2003 I began studying gestalt, and that was when I understood what a good therapist should look like. I am very grateful to my teachers.

Good teachers matter for everything that comes after. They inspire and motivate — you really do not want to let them down!»

Professional activity

• qualified specialist,

• psychotherapist with twenty years of practice,

• author of corrective programmes for work with autistic children and children with disabilities,

• associate professor,

• Candidate of Psychological Sciences,

• director of the Centre for Psychological Correction in Uzhhorod,

• gestalt therapist accredited by the European Association for Gestalt Therapy (EAGT)

• member of the Association of Gestalt Therapists of Ukraine

Qualifications

1. In 1996 graduated from the Kherson Humanities Institute with a professional programme in psychology, qualification of bachelor of psychology. Diploma no. NB 001306 of 23.12.1996.

2. In 2005 graduated from Vasyl Stefanyk Precarpathian National University with a full higher education degree in Psychology and the qualification of psychologist and lecturer. Diploma no. VA 28036456 of 05.08.2005.

3. Candidate of Psychological Sciences since 10.10.2013.

The dissertation «Ethnopsychological factors in a child’s adaptation to the school environment» was defended on 22.05.2013 at the specialised academic council K 26.453.02 of the H. S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology of the National Academy of Educational Sciences of Ukraine (Candidate of Sciences diploma DK 016686, issued on the decision of the attestation board of 10.10.2013).

4. Awarded the academic title of associate professor of the department of psychology by the decision of the attestation board of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine of 15 December 2015, minutes no. 5/02D (associate professor certificate 12DTs 044647, Kyiv).

Specialisations

Moscow Institute of Gestalt and Psychodrama: «Gestalt work with the theme of sexuality», «The neurobiology of psychotherapy».

Hungarian Association of Mental Hygiene: basic training in mental hygiene.

Hungarian Education Authority and the pedagogical continuing education centre, in the centre of special pedagogical training «Brain dysfunctions»; Hungarian programme for restoring mental hygiene competence, «Training in conflict management».

Individual therapy: «Play therapy with children».

Rogerian therapy: «Working with pathological grief».

Zakarpattia Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education, regional centre of practical psychology and social work: «Theory and practice of psychomotor training», «Foundations of dance therapy».

Ukrainian Research and Methodological Centre of Practical Psychology and Social Work: «Using art therapy in the work of a practical psychologist and social educator».

Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Centre of Practical Psychology and Social Work: «Using fairytale therapy in the work of a practical psychologist and social educator», «Using sand therapy in the work of a practical psychologist and social educator».

Moscow Institute of Gestalt and Psychodrama: certificate of the training programme with the qualification «Gestalt therapist / gestalt consultant».

Moscow Institute of Gestalt and Psychodrama and Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles (GATLA): «Continuing education in gestalt therapy and gestalt training, work with groups» (level three, the GATLA approach).

Crimean Federation of Martial Arts, School of Eastern Massage: «Classical Thai massage».

Gestalt Associates Training Los Angeles (GATLA): «Continuing education in gestalt therapy, supervision».

Lviv Institute of Trauma Therapy: «Psychological trauma from violence: principles and consequences of recovery».

Kyiv Institute of Gestalt and Psychodrama: «Working with the themes of sex, sexuality and sexual relationships in a couple in the gestalt approach», «Psychological trauma and PTSD».

Italian Gestalt Institute: «The gestalt approach in work with couples», «Gestalt therapy in work with eating disorders», «Psychopathologies in the contemporary world», «Gestalt therapy with children and families», «Continuing education programme for gestalt therapists on psychopathology with Margherita Spagnuolo Lobb».