Art Therapy Sessions Take Place
"Art does not erase the past, but it gives us the strength to draw a new future. These works are not only about pain – they are about resilience, hope, and the right to bloom again in safety."
In May and June of this year, as part of the project “Sustainable Growth: Strengthening the Operations and Capacity of the Association ‘Shelter ‘Safe House’’” (Contract No. 2025/LV/NVOF/MAC/034/L4), art therapy sessions led by a professional art therapist were held for two groups of participants – victims of human trafficking and women who have arrived in Latvia from abroad.
The aim of the sessions was to provide emotional support to women who have faced difficult experiences and challenges at different stages of their lives. Throughout the five-session programme, participants gradually went through several stages of self-discovery and personal growth, enabling them to feel stronger, safer, and more confident by the end of the process.
Safety is one of the fundamental human needs that forms the basis for development, growth, and self-realisation. The artwork created during the first session, “A Plant in a Safe Place,” served as a symbol of a new beginning, inner stability, and the opportunity to take root again in a secure environment. For these women, the art therapy process became a refuge where, without words – through colours, shapes, and textures – they could express feelings and experiences that are often difficult to put into words.
In the following sessions, participants used the Six-Part Story Method, as well as elements of the totem and kintsugi approaches, to create and relive their personal stories. The creative process helped them recognise their inner resources, accept their experiences, and discover strength even in the most difficult moments of life. Each session became a step towards greater self-understanding, resilience, and confidence in their own abilities.
The project “Sustainable Growth: Strengthening the Operations and Capacity of the Association ‘Shelter ‘Safe House’’” is being implemented with the support of the Society Integration Foundation from funds allocated by the Latvian state budget.
