TEAM MEMBERS

Nathalie founded First Aid of the Soul in February 2022 shortly after the full on invasion of Russia's war against Ukraine.

Anastasia is a California-based licensed professional clinical counselor and psychotherapist with 14 years of experience working with anxiety and depression reduction, stress management, and coping with trauma. She utilizes a trauma-informed holistic approach and has received comprehensive training in evidence-based practices, including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and Expressive Arts Therapy.

Maksym was and is engaged as an interpreter in grassroots trainings for various capacities all around Ukraine. Currently, he works in the language department, supporting counselors, therapists, and psychologists from all over Ukraine.

Anna is a New York-Based Art Therapist and Educator. After almost a decade of a successful career as a designer, she decided to dedicate herself to Art Education and then, eventually, to Art Therapy. Anna realized that she wanted to help others understand themselves better, find ways to express their feelings thoroughly, and ultimately reach their full creative potential.

After a former career as a programmer/analyst in university environmental health research, I am a lifelong artist and musician and a survivor of workplace trauma, graduated in 2014 from Lesley University with a Master's in Expressive Therapy specializing in Music Therapy and Mental Health Counseling; I am a board-certified music therapist.

Після попередньої кар'єри програмістки / аналітика в університетських дослідженнях в галузі охорони навколишнього середовища я є художницею і музиканткою, а також тою, яка пережила травму на робочому місці. У 2014 році я закінчила університет Леслі зі ступенем магістра в області експресивної терапії, зі спеціалізацією на музичній терапії та консультуванні з питань психічного здоров'я; я сертифікована музична терапевтка.

I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, and Board Certified Counselor. I specialized in using Sand Tray Therapy and am also trained in Trauma Resiliency Model, Mind-Body Medicine, EMDR, EFT/TTT, expressive art, and Capacitar International.

My name is Bohdana Rakitianska but you could call me Dana. According to my first education, I am a psychologist. Currently I am an MSc student of Marketing Consumers Behaviour programmers at Reading University, UK. I am particularly interested in supporting “First Aid of Soul” in order to introduce people to Ukrainian culture, and raise awareness of the need for psychological help in modern living conditions. Thus, make my own contribution, thereby bringing victory closer! I am supporting FAS with PR & Outreach Communication and helping to address concerns that affect millions of lives.

Eden holds a masters's Degree in Art Psychotherapy and has specialist multidisciplinary training in Trauma-Informed Expressive Arts Therapy, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, Equine Lead Psychotherapy, Trauma Sensitive Yoga, and is soon to complete EMDR training.

Wendy is a board-certified, licensed art therapist with over 25 years of experience working directly with children and families in pediatric and psychiatric hospitals, and in school-based systems. She has facilitated creative arts therapy and psycho-educational groups for children, teens, and parents, and worked as a manager of an early intervention city-wide program for young children where we studied resiliency in early childhood. Wendy has volunteered with Operation Smile, serving in the role of Child Life Specialist.

Kateryna is a certified translator and interpreter with a Master’s degree in linguistics and 7+ years of experience in the language field, including, but not limited to conference interpretation, translation jobs with international businesses, and book translation with a strong focus on self-help books and clinical literature in the psychology field.

Marsha is a BPC-registered psychoanalytic psychotherapist and a UKCP-registered Integrative psychotherapist and supervisor. She is a founding member of The Relational School and founding member of The London Psychotherapy and Trauma Centre. She has over 35 years of clinical experience working with adults, specializing in trauma and couples work.

I hold an MA in Expressive Arts Therapy for Conflict Transformation and Peacebuilding from the European Graduate School (2020) and a BA in International Communications from American University in Washington, DC (2013). I have a multifaceted practice which includes coaching individual clients through expressive arts, facilitating international projects in conflict zones, and offering trauma competency consulting for organizations and government entities. Emma’s work focuses on the impact of trauma, whether experienced directly or vicariously, utilizing psychoeducation, somatic practices, and the arts as tools for restoration and healing. 

Fialkora is a highly qualified clinical psychologist with a master's degree in Clinical and Rehabilitation Psychology from Lviv National University. She possesses extensive clinical experience gained across different regions of Ukraine, where she has been dedicated to addressing a wide range of patient needs. Her expertise includes helping individuals recover from traumatic experiences and grief, fostering interpersonal relationships, identifying life values, achieving personal goals, tapping into inner resources, and more.

Furthermore, Fialkora holds certifications in Brief Solution-Focused Therapy (BSFT) and is a certified master of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP Master). Her therapeutic approaches are always trauma-informed, emphasizing sensitivity to the psychological impact of trauma on individuals.

She is a professional member of the Society of Systemic Psychotherapy and a member of the National Psychological Association of Ukraine. Fialkora has received specialized training in counseling members of the LGBTQ+ community and individuals with disabilities, which is particularly relevant as she herself deals with multiple sclerosis.

In her practice, Fialkora actively integrates Art Therapy to aid in adaptation and utilizes her extensive training related to trauma and PTSD. She has studied Cue Centered Therapy at Stanford Medical Institute, which further enhances her ability to work with trauma.

Despite currently residing as a refugee in another country, Fialkora maintains a deep connection with her homeland, Ukraine, and its people. Her commitment to providing psychological support and making a positive impact remains unwavering.

Fialkora is a therapeutic team member with FAS.

With over 15 years of firsthand experience in tech support and training within the healthcare and biotech sectors, Konstantin brings a solution-focused approach and problem-solving skills to FAS, providing behind-the-scenes organization and technical support.

Natasha is a caring psychotherapist who provides mental health services to children, adolescents, and adults. She received her master’s in Clinical Counseling from Alliance Graduate School of Counseling, Nyack College, N.Y.

I have a Ph.D. in counseling and supervision, and an MA in marriage and family counseling. Additionally, I have specialty training in Distance Counseling Credentialing, I am a Certified Daring Way Facilitator, and have training in Emotion-Focused Therapy and EMDR.

У мене є ступінь доктора філософії в галузі консультування та наставництва, а також ступінь магістра в галузі консультування з питань шлюбу та сім'ї. Крім того, я пройшла спеціальну підготовку з сертифікації дистанційного консультування, я сертифікована фасилітаторка Daring Way, а також пройшла навчання емоційно-орієнтованої терапії та EMDR.

Joanna is a visual artist, expressive arts therapist, and Yoga Nidra (deep relaxation) teacher based in Belgium. She holds a Ph.D. degree in visual arts and an MA degree in Expressive Arts Therapy with a minor in Psychology.

Susie is supporting our FAS Communications Team by creating our monthly newsletter, which helps give our supporters updates! This role is essential.

I hold a Registered Psychotherapist(Qualifying) license from the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO) and a Registered Nurse license from the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO). These two distinct but meaningful and enriching professions, are a reflection of my identity and the work I provide as a Registered Psychotherapist (Qualifying).

I am Sofiia, a graphic designer from Ukraine. Since 2022, I have been working with Ukrainian cultural and human rights organizations, as well as charitable foundations and some volunteer projects. I really appreciate and try to join initiatives aimed at helping Ukraine and Ukrainians in our fight for freedom. Also, since I live in Ukraine, I understand how important mental health is for a normal and effective life and how difficult it is sometimes to go through the path of recovery from trauma on your own. Therefore, I consider this project as definitely necessary and very important. I support it and hope that it will help everyone who needs it.