Group of international psychologists visitIng EVMS

An international delegation of healthcare professionals recently visited EVMS as part of a larger effort to collaborate on best practices for the treatment of trauma, anxiety and PTSD in the Ukrainian refugee population of women and children.

During the visit, Mary R. Roberts, PhD, LPC-ACS, ATR-BC, ATCS, Associate Professor in the School of Health Professions and Program Director of Art Therapy and Counseling, MS, presented a workshop on art therapy for children, adolescents and adults who have experienced trauma to the group of Polish and Ukrainian psychologists.

“The focus of our time together was on how art therapists engage the brain with art media and processes for healing,” Dr. Roberts explains. “I consulted with the group about art therapy across the mental health continuum and strategies for training and work across different populations.”

The delegation visited Norfolk from Aug. 12-20 as part of a program organized by The Congressional Office for International Leadership (formerly the Open World Leadership Center), an agency of the U.S. Congress.

While in Norfolk, program participants were hosted by Norfolk Sister City Association. In addition to their time at EVMS, delegation members met with Mayor Kenneth Alexander and Rep. Bobby Scott, local staff members of Sens. Tim Kaine and Mark Warner and representatives of Norfolk Public Schools, Norfolk State University,  Old Dominion University, CHKD, Veterans Administration in Hampton and YWCA.