Qualitative Research
Insights from Interviews: Creative Arts in Youth Work and Therapy Across Poland, Cyprus, and Latvia
Introduction
Creative arts have increasingly become a cornerstone in youth work and therapy, especially in societies experiencing the aftermath of political unrest, economic instability, and social fragmentation. In Latvia, Poland, and Cyprus, professionals and volunteers are working to integrate artistic practices into therapeutic and educational frameworks. These countries, while differing in history and policy, share a common concern for the mental health of their youth. Art therapy serves not only as a means of emotional release but also as a mechanism for communication, identity formation, and resilience building. This report presents a narrative synthesis of interviews with practitioners using methods such as music therapy, drawing, dance, theater, and meditative writing. It highlights how these diverse techniques are being used to provide young people with tools to confront trauma, build social bonds, and rediscover joy in expression.
Methods and Modalities in Creative Arts Therapy
Creative arts therapy encompasses a wide range of practices, each tailored to specific therapeutic goals and participant needs. In Poland, music therapist Gabriela Cybuch (Poland) works primarily with children on the autism spectrum. Her sessions involve rhythmic exercises using drums, collaborative group singing, and music improvisation. These activities help improve verbal communication, emotional regulation, and social interaction. She emphasizes the importance of using familiar songs - often Disney tracks - as a comfort tool that encourages participation.
In Latvia, practitioners such as Darja Ivanova and Natalia Petrova use visual arts—drawing, painting, and collage—to support mental health. Natalia Petrova describes how even silent drawing can help participants externalize internal conflict and engage in gentle self-reflection. Darja Ivanova, focusing on adolescent therapy, points out the power of non-verbal expression in uncovering deeply buried emotions, especially those tied to body image and self-esteem issues.Cyprus presents a unique model combining cultural preservation with therapeutic objectives. Vikie Kouyoumdjian, who leads a choir for Armenian-Cypriot youth, blends cultural identity with emotional expression. Singing becomes both a method of healing and a tool for community building. Similarly, dance therapist Andria Papanikolaou uses movement to help refugee youth reconnect with their bodies, fostering a sense of empowerment and emotional resilience. She explains that dance creates a non-verbal language for those who have experienced trauma, allowing them to move from survival to self-expression. In all cases, the choice of artistic medium—be it music, movement, or visual creation—depends on the participants' needs, cultural context, and emotional state.
Therapeutic Impact on Youth
The therapeutic benefits of creative arts are profound and multifaceted. Interviewees consistently reported positive outcomes ranging from immediate mood improvement to long-term behavioral changes. Gabriela Cybuch (Poland) shares how children with limited verbal skills begin forming words through song and show increased willingness to engage with peers. For many children on the spectrum, music becomes a channel through which they can make eye contact, follow social cues, and express preferences.In Latvia, art therapists report significant shifts in emotional well-being after even short drawing or collage sessions. Natalia Petrova recounts a case where a seemingly positive drawing revealed hidden feelings of isolation and led to important discussions about belonging and connection. Darja Ivanova has noted that after a few sessions, adolescents begin to feel more comfortable in their own bodies, reducing anxiety and improving body image—a key concern during teenage years.In Cyprus, creative practices serve not only therapeutic but also integrative functions. Vikie's choir offers a safe space for youth coping with external stressors, such as news of conflict in their homeland. Singing helps them reclaim agency and find collective solace. Similarly, Nanar Khachadourian use of hands-on creative games in scout groups supports emotional growth by fostering peer collaboration, especially for youth with attention or behavioral challenges.
Eirini Christofi, working across different artistic disciplines, shared a transformative case of an 18-year-old with severe agoraphobia and depression. Through theater and dance, the young woman gradually overcame her fear of social interaction, ultimately reintegrating into group settings with confidence and emotional openness. This type of result, though gradual, underscores the deep, lasting effects of creative engagement on psychological resilience.
Challenges and Solutions in Practice
Despite its promise, art therapy faces significant challenges, including institutional resistance, public misunderstanding, and logistical constraints. In smaller towns and underfunded regions, such as rural Ukraine and parts of Latvia, there is limited access to qualified therapists and a general lack of awareness about the value of creative arts. Practitioners like Aliona Vdovtsova speak to the frustration of working within rigid educational systems where administrators dismiss art-based approaches as trivial or frivolous.To counteract youth resistance, therapists adopt adaptive and participatory strategies. For instance, Vikie found success by restructuring her choir to suit the preferences of her students, using more upbeat songs and simplifying vocal arrangements into first and second voices to boost confidence. Nanar Khachadourian (Cyprus) uses playful competition and group rituals to hold attention and encourage engagement, even among the most impulsive participants. Darja Ivanova (Latvia) and Eirini stress the importance of building trust before introducing any artistic task, particularly in vulnerable youth populations.Funding is a recurring theme. Many therapists operate voluntarily or with minimal support. They call for systemic investment in creative therapies—not only in therapeutic institutions but also in schools, refugee centers, and community clubs. The need for professional training programs and accreditation systems was also highlighted by several interviewees who felt that informal initiatives, while impactful, lack sustainability without structural support.
Future Visions for Creative Arts in Youth Development
Practitioners envision a future where creative arts are fully integrated into public education, healthcare, and community well-being strategies. They imagine schools with dedicated art therapists on staff, state-sponsored creative therapy centers, and educational policies that recognize the arts as essential to youth development. Formal accreditation and funding mechanisms would ensure that skilled practitioners can work long-term with youth in need.Many envision creative hubs or cultural centers where workshops, exhibitions, performances, and therapy sessions intersect. Such spaces could offer inclusive programming for children from all backgrounds, including those with disabilities, from refugee families, or living in economically disadvantaged areas. Cross-sector collaboration—with psychologists, educators, social workers, and community leaders—is seen as key to success.Several interviewees, including Shevchenko and Papanikolaou, emphasize the need to preserve and build on local cultural practices. For instance, incorporating folk songs, traditional dances, and community storytelling strengthens both individual identity and group cohesion. The idea is not only to heal but also to empower—to create new forms of civic and emotional literacy among youth.
Conclusion
In Latvia, Poland, and Cyprus, the creative arts are emerging as vital pathways to healing, growth, and empowerment for young people. This report demonstrates that while methods vary—from drum circles to expressive writing—the underlying goal remains the same: to help youth find their voice, reclaim agency, and build resilience. Across regions, practitioners advocate for the expansion of these programs through better funding, institutional recognition, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Creative arts therapy stands at the intersection of psychology, education, and community. It acknowledges the whole person—not just as a student or patient, but as an individual with emotions, stories, and potential. In places where conventional therapy may be inaccessible or ineffective, creative expression offers an alternative. One that is intuitive, inclusive, and deeply human. By investing in these approaches, societies not only support their youth—they also nurture the artists, leaders, and empathetic citizens of tomorrow.
